Isaiah ch.13

Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places because we are united with His Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You LORD for Your heart of mercy and love that endures forever. Open our eyes and give our hearts understanding as we read today's Word in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Isaiah chapter 13 speaks of the impending judgment yet to befall 'Babylon', "the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity" (Isaiah 13:11).

In Isaiah 13:6-8 NKJV, we see the magnitude of the LORD's wrath and it reads,

"6.Wait for the day of the LORD is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.

7.Therefore all hands will be limp, every man's heart will melt,

8.And they will be afraid. Pangs and sorrows will take hold of them; they will be in pain as a woman in childbirth; they will be amazed at one another; their faces will be like flames."

When I read this Scriptures, I'm reminded of how the Bible is simply not an ancient text that was written thousands of years ago but it is truth. Truth is established, it cannot be changed or altered. The Word of God is truth. One thing is undeniable which is God is very slow to anger. It's amazing the prophecies given to the prophet Isaiah then still apply in today's world but God has still not yet poured out his wrath upon the evil in the world. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT says, "The Lord isn't really being slow about keeping his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." This verse shows us the love and mercy behind God's heart for He does not desire for anyone to perish.

Jesus Christ tells us in Luke 11:13 "if you being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Ephesians 2:4-5 portrays God's ultimate love for us and it says, "But God who is rich in mercy because of His great love with which He loved us, 5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." 

Often times when we miss the mark in our lives, thoughts may desire for you to think that God's love is far from you but may I remind you that God's love for us as His children is not based on our actions. For this very reason, Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us; "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Friend, God's grace and mercy saved us and gave us eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ. "Not the strength of the horse or the pleasure in the legs of a man" as seen in today's lead Scripture.

We may not have deemed ourselves worthy based off of our actions or past choices but God saw us worthy and His love for you and I continues to this day and will never fail.

I believe this also reflects the beauty about salvation, that even after we have been saved by grace through faith, we are still kept by God's power and not our own strength or abilities. Jesus in John 10:27-29 gave us this assurance and He says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." - AMEN.

At the same time, does God's love and mercy towards us translate to living in sin and according to our pleasures that displease Him? The answer is simply no. Psalm 147:11 NKJV tells us that "the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy". 

I'm sure we may agree that we don't deliberately hurt people we truly love. If this principle can apply to our human relationships, may I submit to you that it also applies to our personal relationship with the Almighty God, the One whose love and mercy for us endures forever (Psalm 136:1), the One who loved us before we ever loved Him.

I'll end with this Word found in Romans 6:1-2 NKJV

"1.What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?

2.Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"

Amen, thank you LORD for Your mercy.

Invitation to salvation: If you would like to get to know this loving and merciful God, who wants to spare you from wrath and judgment by partaking of His blessings as His child through His Son Christ, I invite you to make this confession:

Please speak the words below:

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever. Thank you Father that because the Son has made me free, I am now free indeed." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

PS: In case you have not already, I encourage you to read Isaiah chapter 13.

Please find a church or in case you already have one, become a member and get water baptized! God bless you!