Isaiah 44 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:21-22 – Isaiah in verses 9-20 gives us one of the best descriptions of the foolishness of idolatry we find in scripture. He reminds us that idols are made by men, who they themselves grow hungry and weak. He points out how man will take a block of wood, half of it he’ll use to cook meat over, and the other half he’ll make an idol out of and worship it saying it’s his god and savior. After unpacking the foolishness of worshipping such idols, Isaiah calls us to remember all that God does in our story. God forms us, not the other way around. God remembers us. God blots out all our wrong, and God redeems us. I’m not seeing any blocks of wood doing that for us. Today, while I doubt many of you are woodcarving an idol to worship this morning, it is far too easy for us to find ourselves giving to things other than God what only God should receive. We can give a person in our life all our time, we can allow a job to give us our identity, and we can put all our trust in something temporary like money. Time, identity, trust, and worship ought to only be given to the Lord or defined by the Lord. Let’s us not fall into the trap of idolatry, but remember the truths about our God from our passage. He alone is worthy of our all. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What has been something that you’ve allowed in your story to receive from you what only God should receive?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+44/

Daily DEVO 2711

Isaiah 43 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 – God, through Isaiah, is speaking to His people who have chosen sin over Him. Worshiping God had become a wearisome thing to them, and they had chosen to be blind and deaf to the truths of God’s law spoken over them. They had chosen idols to worship and other nations to rely on for help. God’s people were not acting like God’s people, but God was reminding here whose they were. They were His people, He created them, He saved them, and there is no Savior outside of Him. And while they in their past had chosen sin, God was calling them to forget their former actions and see the new thing He was doing. He was making a way back to Him. A way in the wilderness and a river in the desert, all so His people could be with their God. Yet a dwelling in and on the former sin would keep them from seeing and stepping into the new thing God was doing. That last sentence applies to God’s people of today as well. When our thoughts dwell only on the past failures and sin of our life, it makes it impossible for us to move into the new things God is doing in our midst. Yes, acknowledge that we have sinned, and understand where our weak spots with sin are, but also acknowledge and understand that when Jesus died on the cross, He covered all your sin with His blood. If you have sought Jesus for forgiveness of your sin, know you are fully, entirely, completely forgiven. Dwell not on the things of old, but behold the new things the Spirit is doing ahead of you. You are forgiven, live as such. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is a work of the Lord that could be hindered if we are dwelling too much on our past?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+43/

Daily DEVO 2710

Isaiah 42 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the Lord? He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. Isaiah 42:18-20 – Here we see God speaking of His people Israel. They were deaf and they were blind. Not physically, but spiritually. They were seeing many things of God, but they didn’t actually take them in. They heard many things from God, but they didn’t actually listen to anything. We too can find ourselves with eyes and ears, but not seeing and hearing. Where God is displaying His power and love in front of us, but we aren’t actually seeing it. Where God is speaking to us through His word and His church, but we aren’t listening to what He is saying. Let us be different than that of the people in our passage. When God moves, let us not only see but be looking for it. When God speaks, let us not only listen but be expectant for His word to come. Not only will we have a posture of obedience to the Lord, but a longing to be obedient to our Lord. Be sure then today you are finding yourself in the word, in prayer, and under the teaching of the church so you can be receiving from the Lord in every avenue you can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: When was the last time you approached God’s word with a real desire to hear from the Lord?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+42/

Daily DEVO 2709

Isaiah 41 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13 – What a promise to have from the Lord! When I first read this, the image that came to my mind was a father lovingly holding the hand of his little child. The child may be scared, but there is no need because dad is right there. We also see another beautiful layer to this if we connect this theme of God helpings us to some verses prior. In verse 7 we see idol makers fastening their idols down with nails after they are created, all for the purpose to make sure the idols won’t tip over or be moved. The message there is that with idols, it’s your hands having to hold them up, but with God, it’s His hands holding you up. No idol in our life is speaking to you saying I’ll hold your hand and help you, and least not with any honesty behind those words. Sure, the enemy may say such lines to you, but the reason he wants your hand is to pull you down to Hell with him, not to lift you to solid ground. Whose hand then are you holding? Are you supporting them or are they supporting you? God’s hand is available to take hold of today and He is already positioned to be a support for you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What might you have to let go of to take hold of God’s hand?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+41/

Daily DEVO 2708

Isaiah 40 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? Isaiah 40:18 – This is a solid question we ought to ask ourselves as we progress through the seasons of life. What is God like? What in our world can we describe Him as? Of course we have earthly things that we can use to describe Him, but they all fall short. Father, like our earthly fathers, but God is far greater than any earthly father. We could use things of nature like wind and thunder to describe Him, but He not only is greater than those things, He controls them. Our passage speaks to such greatness of our God. That He holds the oceans of earth in the cup of hand. That the mightiest of nations are like the dust on a scales, something we count as nothing. What is there then on earth that we can liken our God to? Nothing…and that’s the point. There is nothing and no one like our God. He is greater, stronger, wiser, and more able than anything in all creation. Why is this an important concept about our God to be grounded in? Because in life we need something greater, strong, wiser, and more able than anything in all creation to trust in. We don’t need thunder, we need the God who controls the thunder. We can exist without our earthly fathers, but we can’t exist without our Heavenly Father. We need something more, and we find that in our God. Know today there is a God greater than all other things and this same God desires a life with you. He is working and desires your following of Him. Why follow anything less than the One who is greater than all? I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is something earthly you can liken God too and how does that thing fall short in it’s comparison?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+40/

Daily DEVO 2707

Isaiah 39 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.” Isaiah 39:4 – In the fifteen years that God blessed Hezekiah with, we see the King of Babylon sent an envoy with gifts as a present to Hezekiah to celebrate his recovery. As one commentary stated, this would have been a big deal for the small kingdom of Judah to be recognized by the growing superpower Babylon. Hezekiah must have felt very special. So much so that he showed the Babylonians that came everything in his possession, nothing was left out. We can see though from Isaiah’s words to the Hezekiah, and the future Babylonian invasion, that this was not a wise move on the king’s part. When we also look at this with a spiritual lens, it becomes increasingly clearer why this was unwise. “Babylon” is often connected to sin and the power of Satan. Hezekiah allowed our spiritual enemy access to his life, to see everything, know everything, and be within everything. Let us not find ourselves allowing the enemy such access to our lives. For certain he will try to gain a foothold in areas of your life. Truthfully, he wants more than a foothold, he wants to sit on your living room couch, put his feet up, and raid your fridge. He wants control of your life, but we only have one Master. Be wise then how Satan and sin is being allowed into the different aspects of your life. How is sin finding its way into your family life? Your friends? Your entertainments? The more we invite the enemy into these areas of our life, the more he sees and the more control he is given. Instead, allow and welcome the Spirit of the Lord in every area of your life, giving Him the ultimate control of such things. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is an area of your life that someone other than God has more control of?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+39/

Daily DEVO 2706

Isaiah 38 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord. Isaiah 38:20 – We are presented in scripture a unique story where King Hezekiah, during the Assyrian invasion, is told by the Lord that he would die due to a sickness that he was battling. After prayer and requesting of the Lord for healing, God prolonged Hezekiah’s life by fifteen years. What caught my eye as I was reading verse 20 was the confidence in Hezekiah. The Lord “will” save me. He knew that the Lord would do what He said, and He knew that this healing would take place because the Lord had spoken. That though wasn’t the only “will” statement found in the verse. He goes on and says and we “will” play for the Lord all the days of our lives. Hezekiah, unlike anyone else on earth, actually knew how long he had to live. 15 years, 5475 day. Do you know what Hezekiah’s plans were for each of those 5475 days? To play music for the Lord at His house. He knew God would save him and he knew he would praise Him. For us we know that God saves us. We know what He has done and we know what He will do, and we have firm confidence in that. Yet is there a firm confidence in what WE will do all the days of our life? Will we worship Him all the days of our life? Will we serve Him all the days of our life? God is showing us a steady faithfulness to us for all the days of our life on earth and beyond, what are we committing to be steady in for Him all the days of our life and beyond? I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is something scripture teaches us God will provide every day of our life?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+35/

Daily DEVO 2705

Isaiah 37 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria…“ ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭37‬:‭21‬ ‭‭- The king of Judah, Hezekiah, has heard the enemy’s message of destruction that was promised to come his way. Terrified and aware his own power would never be enough to stand against such an enemy, Hezekiah brings this whole situation to the Lord in prayer. We also see the end result within this chapter of God rescuing His people and destroying their enemy in a mighty way. Take note though of God’s response to Hezekiah. “Because you have prayed to me.” All that took place, the rescue of God’s people and the destruction of the enemy, took place because Hezekiah prayed. Meaning if the king didn’t come before the Lord and didn’t pray, we would likely have seen a very different ending to this story. Know and believe your prayers matter. Also know and believe the absence of your prayers matters. Prayer is the space in which we get to approach the Lord of All and speak with Him as our Father. He hears, He moves, and He also will withhold if our posture isn’t about coming to Him. Come to the Father, bring your requests before Him, His eyes and ears are attentive to the prayer that is made by His people. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What might have not happened in your story if you didn’t pray about it first?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+37/

Daily DEVO 2704

Isaiah 36 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. Isaiah‬ ‭36‬:‭2‬ ‭- Finally the words of Isaiah to Judah are taking place. The Assyrian king sent his Rabshakeh, a trusted servant, to proclaim to Judah how pitiful trusting in Egypt or God would be when his king came to attack them. We see from our passage that the enemy came and stood by the upper pool, one of the main water sources for the city, to proclaim this speech. This was a strategic move. The enemy was making it clear that he was able to easily go through their defenses, come right up to a main water supply, and not even be tripped up at all. If they couldn’t stop him from walking right up to a vital part of their city like this, then they couldn’t stop the enemy army when they came. Know our enemy will play this game too. He’ll move strategically and use those moves to convince you he’s unstoppable in your life. “See how I got you to trip up in that again?”

“See how I was able to influence your friend into sin? You have no chance against me!” Our enemy will use every trick in his dusty old book to foster a belief in your heart that he can’t be stopped. But he easily can be stopped by our Savior. Yes, he may be able to come past our guard and stand by our upper pool, but he can’t defeat our God. Trust in the Lord in the power of His might and see the salvation of the Lord on the day the enemy begins his approach. God always wins. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is a scripture that reveals God’s power?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+36/

Daily DEVO 2703

Isaiah 35 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35‬:‭8‬ ‭– Here we are reading about the beautiful result that God will bring beyond the judgement of those oppressing His people and those who have chosen sin over Him. He speaks of creating a highway, a path above the rugged terrain that is designated only for those who are holy. It will be a way for the holy to approach the Father. No one in there sin can be on this path, and no enemy will snatch us from it either. Know for us today this Way of Holiness is Jesus. He is our way, truth, and life. Through Him we have access to the Father, and no one in their sin can approach the holiness of God. But with Jesus, the path is clear and the way is straight to the Father. The question is would you be allowed on this way of holiness? What would be your answer if asked why you should be allowed to be on it? Because you’re a good person? Because you’ve gone to church your whole life? Neither will cut it. Only through the saving love and grace of Jesus can we find ourselves on the holy path to Heaven. Be sure you know this Savior who has made it possible for you to be with God the Father. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: When was the last time you thanked the Lord for your salvation?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+35/

Daily DEVO 2702

Isaiah 34 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Seek and read from the book of the Lord: Not one of these shall be missing; none shall be without her mate. For the mouth of the Lord has commanded, and his Spirit has gathered them. Isaiah 34:16 – Isaiah here speaks a unique message to his listeners and readers. He challenges them to take up these scrolls and see how what he has been given from the Lord has already begun coming true. To take up the scrolls after the coming events, and compare the words on the scroll to the events that took place, and all would see these were accurate words of the Lord. For us today centuries beyond Isaiah, we have the blessing of being able to seek and read from the book of the Lord like Isaiah challenged us to. We can see how accurate the prophecies were and how they were fulfilled each time. If then the words were fulfilled so accurately about the events to take place in Isaiah’s time, we should then believe the words will also be fulfilled accurately about the event to place in the end times. When we think about Jesus’ return, the coming judgment on the world, and the new life for those who follow Him, we ought to live in an expectancy for such things to take place. That means we live with a boldness and confidence when the enemy begins to attack for we know his defeat told to us in scripture will be true. This also means we live with a passion for the Gospel for we don’t want anyone to taste the troubles to comes for all that don’t know Jesus. While not a new thought, let’s lean into together today…If Jesus returned today, how would you want to be living for Him? I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: If Jesus returned yesterday, what might He have found you taking part in?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+34/

Daily DEVO 2701

Isaiah 33 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

And no inhabitant will say, “I am sick”; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity. Isaiah 33:24 – The looming threat of the Assyrian army was on the horizon. While not at their doorstep yet, Judah would soon see them and hear of how they have conquered nation after nation before them. The Lord though is speaking promise and blessing to them if they were to look to Him, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, for their deliverance. He speaks of how He will save and make small the enemy that boasts of such greatness. He will keep His people unmoved and safe, and in this last verse God even promises a blessing beyond this. Their sins will be forgiven. While in the people of Judah’s mind all they needed was rescue from the enemy, God knew what they truly needed beyond that. They needed a forgiveness of their sin, and He made the way for this too. Today know God has seen beyond in our life too. He is aware of the needs we are bringing to Him. He sees the finance and family struggles. He knows the diagnosis. He knows the hurt. God in His goodness is speaking today through His word assuring you these things are on His mind and His hands are working, but beyond all those things God has also provided for your sin to be forgiven. The mess in your life bigger than any diagnosis or money problem is your sin. But God, being rich in mercy and love, has provided for us to have the biggest need in our life taken care of already through Jesus. If He can forgive sin and defeat death, know He can provide for the need that is on your heart today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is a need that God has recently provided for?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+33/

Daily DEVO 2700

Isaiah 32 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Isaiah 32:1-2 – This prophecy likely had a duel meaning when it came to this king that would come to power. First it likely meant Hezekiah, and the peace he would bring. Hezekiah was a solid, faithful to God king. Under his reign the people found peace, prosperity, and protection from enemy nations. This was a good season for the people of God. We are to take note of the blessing that was over God’s people when the earthly king Hezekiah was in power and acknowledge how far greater life is under the reign of King Jesus. The peace, prosperity, and protection a faithful, earthly king can give is nothing in comparison to what King Jesus can offer us. Jesus is our hiding place and shelter in the storm. He is our living water and rock that we can lean on. Know today you have a King in Jesus that is powerful and can provide all you need. If you serve this King already, turn your eyes to Him today for your help. If you don’t know Jesus yet, know you are welcome into His kingdom and family. Reach out if you would like to know more on how to be a part of the family of God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is a blessing we have in Jesus’ kingdom?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+32/

Daily DEVO 2699

Isaiah 31 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! Isaiah 31:1 – Feeding off the words of the previous chapter, we see Isaiah continuing to speak to those of God’s people turning to the Egyptians for rescue from the terror of the Assyrian army. Now why were they turning to Egypt? Our verse tells us, because their chariots are many and their horsemen are very strong. From a worldly vantage point, Egypt looked to be a powerhouse, someone that would be good trust in. Apparently though Judah couldn’t find any reasons why God would be safe to trust in. Yet, if they even looked throughout their past even for a moment, they would be flooded with examples of when God demonstrated His awesome power and strength. We too have in front of us nowadays examples of “chariots and horsemen” that are boasting of their ability and might to take care of us. Money, success, people, self. Our choice today is exactly the choice of the people of God in our passage…who will you choose to trust in today for your rescue? Let our answer by that of the psalmist…Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. – I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is an example of God’s power that the people in our passage should have remembered?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+31/

Daily DEVO 2698

Isaiah 30 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 30:9-11 – Context for the passage, Isaiah is speaking to Judah who is seeing Assyria wipe out the Northern Kingdom of Israel. They are fearful of being next on the battle path, so instead of turning to God for help, they turn to Egypt for salvation. God is seeking to open their eyes to the truth that Egypt can’t save them, only He can, but this is their response. “Don’t tell us the truth, share with us the words we want to hear! If God doesn’t approve of the way we want to go, then we don’t want to hear about God anymore!” While we don’t have Assyria on a war path coming for us, how often do we see language like this coming from our world today? That instead of hearing the truth, we just want smooth talk that sounds pleasing to our ears and affirms the way we want to go in life. Also, if the words of God’s truth are different than the words of “my truth” then I don’t want to hear from God anymore. Let us be wiser than the people in our passage who disregarded the truths of God for their own. Scripture does a great job at blessing us with examples of what takes place in the lives of those who set aside God’s truths for their own, and it’s never pretty. Position yourself in ways to hear God’s word, to take it in, and be willing to follow it regardless of how it contradicts your “truth.” This is the only path to real joy, peace, and blessing in life and God’s longs for all that and more to be in your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is a scriptural truth that is different than a truth of our culture today?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+30/

Daily DEVO 2697

Isaiah 29 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:18-19 – Our chapter is speaking to God’s people in Jerusalem who have allowed their pride to cause them to be spiritually drunk. They can’t see the Lord like they need to, they can’t understand His word like they need to, and they are brought low as dust. In their eyes, they are high and lifted up, understanding everything and seeing everything. Yet God is showing their pride to be foolishness, and they will soon see just how little they understand. What though would be the end result of God’s humbling of His people? The ones who couldn’t hear or understand His word would hear and understand. The ones that were blinded and couldn’t see Him would see Him. The poor and humble would find fresh, new joy in the Lord. We must remember the end goal of God as we read through books like Isaiah. This is not God finally getting His chance to squash people, this is God seeking to shepherd His people back into a life with Him. Yet when people are so far off track, saying things of God like, “He did not make me,” and, “He has no understanding,” then we are going to see the rougher side of shepherding. The goal though is for His flock to be in His pasture under His care. To hear His voice clearly and understand it. To see the Shepherd and feel His watchful presence over us. To find joy by the still waters and green pasture our Good Shepherd leads us by. Praise Jesus we have a Shepherd like Him in our story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: How could sin change someone’s outlook on God?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+29/

Daily DEVO 2696

Isaiah 28 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

…therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’ And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plumb line; and hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters will overwhelm the shelter.” Isaiah 28:16-17 – Our chapter today is speaking to God’s people in both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. God is addressing their sin, one of which was drunkenness. Apparently this was such a problem for the people that it had found its way into the lives of the leaders, priests, decisions makers, and prophets. Wine had clouded their minds and led them astray. The messages of the Lord to them were too simple for their great minds and they had instead trusted in lies and death to be their shelter. Here though God reminds them that He is the sure foundation to trust in. He will bring justice to those who reject His message. All the refuge of lies and shelters of death won’t be able to stop His wrath from coming their way. Today, we too can find ourselves dismissing the truth of God and placing our trust in wrong shelters. We can trust our good deeds to save us, we can trust our church attendance to save us, we can trust that our grandma’s faith and prayers over us will save us. We can trust some other gods of the world to save us, or we could trust in something like worldly power to save us. Yet God’s word teaches us that if our lives aren’t trusting in the precious cornerstone that is Jesus Christ as our foundation and shelter, all other shelters in lives will crumble and not be able to save. Be sure you are finding shelter in Jesus and under nothing other than Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is something else that people could trust in for their shelter?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+28/

Daily DEVO 2695

Isaiah 27 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea. Isaiah 27:1 – I must note up front that there are a few different ways people like to explain this passage, but the one I personally see as the meaning is this is speaking of Satan. A twisting serpent that is fleeing the hand of the Lord and His mighty sword sure seems to be describing our common enemy. I know personally I need passages like this one to remind me who is truly in charge. For the enemy talks a big game, and often can carry out some pretty nasty hits on our life too. After our study of Job, it’s clear that the enemy when allowed can wreak havoc on our lives. Yet, who has ultimate control? Who does the enemy ultimately get defeated by? Whose mighty hand and sword slays Satan? Our God’s. Yes, we have a loud, active, and smart enemy that is very creative at instilling fear and doubt within us. Remember though we have a God that is greater than our enemy. A God that has defeated and will slay the enemy one day. Move forward then in confidence knowing that while the enemy is coming, the Lord has already come. He will defend, He will protect, and He will save. That’s the God we serve. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: Who can you be praying for that is feeling the pressure of the enemy?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+27/

Daily DEVO 2694

Isaiah 26 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4 – Tomorrow morning I’ll be getting the blessing of preaching on the story of Simon the magician in Acts 8. In the beginning of the passage we are told how the people who witnessed Simon’s acts not only were amazed, but consider he was the power of God…Acts 8:10 - They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” Note they didn’t think he did things BY the power of God, but said that Simon IS the power of God. In our Isaiah passage we learn that it is the Lord God who is power. In the original language it ought to be read that God is the everlasting strength. The rock. The power. No other thing on earth is the power and strength of our God outside of Himself. It is him alone that can keep you into perfect peace. It is Him alone that can lay flat the enemies of this world. It is Him alone that can bring blessing to the righteous while bringing judgment on the sinful. Our world does a great job of lifting high many other sources of strength you could place your hope and trust in. All though will fail and all will crumble, especially when our God who is the everlasting strength, rock, and power steps onto the scene. Choose today who you will keep your mind stayed on. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: Is there a source of strength you are leaning on more than the strength of God to sustain you?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+26/

Daily DEVO 2693

Isaiah 25 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO

It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9 – As we read through Isaiah, know that we are seeing a mix of prophecies. Some that are for events that would have been in the near future for Isaiah (but past events for us in 2024), and some events that are still to come in the last days. Here we see the prophet speaking of what is to come in the future when God establishes His Kingdom once and for all. Sin will be no more, death will be no more, the enemy will be no more, and rejoicing will be on the lips of the faithful. Our passage then is intended to be what will come from the mouths of those that have faithfully served and followed the Lord. They will see God, the very one they waited for to save them will show up to save. Gladness and rejoicing will be on their lips for the God they proclaimed would come has come. Whether it is the future coming of our God and the victory He’ll bring in the end of days, or the current victories that God is providing today, or the past victories that God has won, our God has earned our praise. Our God has came for us and our God will come again for us. Our God has defeated death and our God will establish His throne over all one day. Let us then rejoice and give praise to our God, for He is worthy of all praise. I love you, but Jesus loves you more - Mac

Question To Ponder: What is something you can praise God for that He has provided in your past?

Link To Full Chapter

https://www.esv.org/Isaiah+25/

Daily DEVO 2692