King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Chapters: Isaiah Chapters 54-57
Message: The Way of Righteousness
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today I kept thinking about my mom and how simple little things which seem so insignificant to us are quite the blessing. The ability to brush ones teeth, to see your loved ones faces, and to even sit up are things that we who do them on a normal basis take for granted, but to the ones who lose them they are precious, especially if they can even get a slight fraction of that ability back. It is a reminder of how precious life is and how unfortunate those are who do not see the value of every life, [Proverbs 12:27-28 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. 28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.]
The way of the righteous, now that is something that each person sees differently, but there is only one way to righteousness that gives life and that is God’s righteousness, which can only be obtained through ones faith Jesus Christ, [Romans 10:3-4 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.]
Unless Jesus returns, those who receive Him may face a physical death of their body, but their soul will never see death because it is given eternal life through their faith in Him, [Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.]
Souls are so destitute of life that they will literally snatch anything they can get to give life to them. Unfortunately, way too many end up falling into the traps of these evil spirits that give a form of life, but will only send them straight to hell. However, there are a few who do find life, and it is the everlasting and eternal life that only Jesus can give them. This is not something new, the people that were here before Jesus came here in the flesh and gave His life for them also knew that He was coming to save them. As we continue through Isaiah, we are told by the LORD Himself that He was coming to give life to the destitute.
[Isaiah 54:1-3 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.]
[for more are the children of the desolate] There are so many more people who are unsaved than saved and the sad truth is that many professing Christians are desolate of the Saviour. You see, religion plays the part of worshiping a deity with all these works of what their leaders see as righteous, but true Christianity comes by receiving Christ and following Him. Jesus said it this way, [Matthew 15:8-9 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.]
You see, the more the true Church grows, the more she must fortify herself in the truth of the Gospel against errors and corruptions that make it become desolate. Christ, is more than just the only one capable of saving a lost soul from flaming fires of hell, He is their Maker, Redeemer, and their Husband. Through Isaiah we learn of how and why the Church is known as Christ’s bride.
[Isaiah 54:5-8 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. 6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. 7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. 8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.]
[a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit…when thou wast refused,] Think about it, out of the billions of people that have come and gone from the earth, God has chosen a select few who are grieved in their spirit of how sinful they are to be more than a creation, but His very own husband, which is another name for a manager or overseer of His believers, [John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.]
[with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee,] Christ, the Holy one of Israel, is also the Mediator of the covenant that He made with the Old Testament Church and has been at one time been called the God of Israel, but now will be called the God of all the earth when He comes for His bride. As Isaiah continues, God goes on to tell us of that glorious day in which He keeps His promise of everlasting kindness.
[Isaiah 54:10,13-14,17 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.]
[In righteousness shalt thou be established:] It is not the worlds righteousness that establishes the Church it is Christ’s righteousness that does that as He works in and through His believers, [Romans 3:22-24 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:]
If we have called on the LORD, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, fully trusting in Him alone for our salvation, then we belong to Him. We are not perfect by a long shot, and mess up more times than we count, but we are His, our righteousness comes from Him alone. We must understand that Jesus never denies anyone who comes to Him, even if they worshiped false gods at one time. Through Isaiah, we that all are given every opportunity to come to know Christ themselves, He literally does call out to them.
[Isaiah 55:1-4 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.]
[I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.] God, Himself told David that He would bring His own Son into this world through his descendants, [2 Samuel 7:12,16 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.]
That everlasting covenant that He made with David is the same one that He makes with all who come to Him through His Son. When we come to Christ, and accept Him as our Saviour that is when His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, gives life to our soul, He quenches its thirst and feeds it forever, regardless of who we are. Through Isaiah, God, confirms how a once wicked person can be saved from hell.
[Isaiah 55:5-9 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.]
[wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:] Thank God that His thoughts are much higher than our own because we would all be in hell right now. God does not see us as a color, race, shape, or size, we are beautiful souls that He has created, take away our skin and we are all flesh, blood, and water. We may not understand why God gave some souls bodies that are skinny, obese, lame, deaf, blind, or otherwise, but we can understand that He created us all. Regardless of what we look like in the outside, we are born sinners, and for that reason we need a Saviour to save our beautiful soul. Through Isaiah, God goes on to explain why He will save all who come to Him regardless of their sin.
[Isaiah 56:1-5,8 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. 3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.]
[Neither let the son of the stranger,] God is referring to those who are not Jews here, He is telling them that no matter who comes to Him, if they put their faith and trust in His Son to save them, them they are no stranger, but one of His people, [1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.]
The world seeks everything that goes against what God stands for, immorality, idolatry, and witchcraft, are to name a few. Through Isaiah, God explains a rather touchy subject, death, and why the righteous, meaning His faithful who are saved sometimes die before their time
[Isaiah 57:1-4,11-12 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. 2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. 4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood, 11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? 12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.]
[none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil] Those precious babies that die in the womb, never to see the world. Those little ones who die in the hands of the ones God trusted them with. Those precious people that die in the hands of thugs. We may not understand death, but sometimes God uses it to keep His people from being caught up in something that is much worse to come. We might get weary, and we might get tired in this life, but never give up hope, one day, all of this will be over and we will be forever with Jesus. He will take us away from every bit of evil, even death.
[Revelation 21:4,7-8 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. Isaiah 57:19 I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, It is comforting and sometimes quite overwhelming to comprehend Your love for us, no matter how many times we mess up. You settled our debt at the cross, and promise to never leave nor forsake us. You do not limit Your love to just a few, You call everyone, but only accept those who accept that Your sinless death, burial, and resurrection is the only way to be redeemed and know Your Father as our own. Lord, Lead us and guide us, keep us close to You so we can endure every trial that comes our way. Let us trust in You alone and not our circumstances, trusting that Your ways are much higher than our own. And let us be the very example that You need us to be the show the world that You are here. I love You Jesus and pray this in Your name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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