(430) 7 March : Proverbs 21v13 / Isaiah 9v8-10v19 / Psalm 94v3-10

BEGIN WITH PRAYER

"Lord open my eyes and my heart."

Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.

Wisdom to chew on

Proverbs 21:13

Understanding to grow in

Here God details that because those of the northern kingdom of Israel refuse to repent when first punished for their sin with oppression by foreign powers, that oppression will only continue and intensify. The worldwide Assyrian empire is to be God's tool - the "rod of his anger." This tells us that he so reigns over all things, that he uses even the mightiest of governments and their often evil actions as the means of working out his right and just purposes. But because their intent is evil and proud, God will the judge them for what they have done in fulfilment of his own plans (10v5-12)! For the axe (Assyria) cannot raise itself above the one (the Lord) who swings it (10v15). These are the "wise" ways of God. They are beyond our full comprehension (see Rom 11v33-36), but comfort us in the knowledge that all wrongdoing will be judged, yet under God's hand achieves something positive even if we don't fully grasp what it is (Eph 1v11). As you read note the response this should bring.
Isaiah 9:8-10:19

Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:

1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.

2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.

Devotion to offer up

You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.

Psalm 94:3-10

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here