Knowing God In Isaiah 46 (Nov 5)

God Cares & Sustains You

In amazing collection of specific
prophecies (chap 44-48) Isaiah
foretells the agent of comfort God
will use in delivering His people
(Cyrus, king of Persia) and the
means of comfort God will employ
(destruction of adulterous Babylon).
Isaiah taunts those who would
put their trust in mere images of
stone and wood. And God declares
I am God and there is none like me.

Lord, You’ll Care & Sustain Us:
Listen to Me all you who are left
in Israel. I created you and have
Cared for you since you’re born.
Even to your old age & grey hairs
I am He who will Sustain you.
I have made you and I will Carry
you; I will Sustain you and I will
rescue you (Isaiah 46:3-4).
I am God and there is no other;
I am God and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the
beginning… what is still to come.
I say: My Purpose Will Stand, and
I Will Do all that I please (v9-10).

Lord, You will always be with
me for You are a relational God.
No matter what the circumstance,
Your Word gives the assurance
that You will always be near me.
I just cannot flee from Your
presence, not even if I want to.
For You are my maker and the
one who will save and sustain me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, help me to realise that You
are everlastingly my Father. And
that you know me intimately and
every moment of my entire lifetime.
Help me to rely on You through
every season of my entire life.
Help me to rest in the knowledge
that even at old age, You will be
caring and sustaining me. Amen.

Lord, thank You for being In Control
of the whole world, including my life.
You alone know the future and
can orchestrate the events of life.
Keep me Lord from thinking and
believing that I can plan out my life.
Give me instead the grace to trust
that You know what’s best and
that You will work things out for
my good and for Your glory. Amen.

Knowing God In Isaiah 40 (Nov 4)

God Comforts & Renews Strength

Isaiah is like a miniature Bible.
The first 39 chapters of Isaiah,
like the 39 books of OT proclaim
judgment upon sinful mankind.
And the final 27 chapters of Isaiah,
like 27 books of NT, proclaim a
message of Comfort and Hope.
The Messiah is coming to be the
Saviour of sinful people. Therefore,
Comfort my people, say your God.

Lord, You’re Tender to Your People:
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God… That her warfare
is ended, that her iniquity
is pardoned (Isaiah 40:1-2).
Behold the Lord God shall come
with a strong arm… He tends His
flock like a Shepherd: He gathers
the lambs in His arms and carries
them close to His heart (v10-11).
The Everlasting God… Gives Power
to the Weak, and to those who have
no might He Increases Strength…
But those Who Wait on the Lord
Shall Renew their Strength: They
shall mount up with wings like eagles
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk & not faint (v28-31).

Lord, You are our Shepherd who
faithfully feed & guide Your flock.
Grateful Lord also for Your comforting care and protection
for You hold the lambs in Your arms.
What a word of comfort Lord
and what an amazing promise.
When I am afraid or weary or tired,
remind me that You desire to carry
me with all tenderness. Amen.

Lord, thank You for Promise
to give Strength to the weak.
Sometimes we are weak and feel
we can’t go on to live as we should.
But in You there is new power
to “fly”, to run and to persevere.
Grant us Lord the experience
of Your limitless Strength so that
we can serve You faithfully and be
a light for You in a dark world. Amen

Lord, sometimes I will feel weary
in the challenges of life while
waiting for fulfillment of promise.
But Your Word says those who
hope in You will find new Strength.
Help me Lord to trust that
You will give me the strength
to run and not grow weary;
and to walk and not faint.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Knowing God In Isaiah 30 (Nov 3)

God Saves & Directs

Isaiah’s prophecies begin to focus
on the approach of the Assyrians.
Ephraim (northern kingdom) reels
like a drunkard, oblivious to the
danger & falsely confident in Egypt
to deliver her in time of trouble.
Ariel (Jerusalem, symbol of the
southern kingdom) stands next
in line for judgment if her citizens
follow Ephraim’s sorry example by
relying upon Egypt for protection.

Lord, You Strengthen & Direct Us:
This is what the Sovereign Lord
says: In repentance & rest is your
salvation, in quietness and Trust
is your Strength (Isaiah 30:15).
The Lord longs to be gracious
to you; therefore He will rise
up to show you compassion.
Blessed are all Who Wait for Him…
He will be very gracious to you
at the sound of your cry; When He
hears it, He will answer you (v18-19)
Whether you turn to the right
or to the left, your ears will
hear a voice behind you saying:
This is the Way, Walk in it (v21).

Lord, forgive me for trusting
in anyone or anything but You.
Give me wisdom to see a satisfying
life is possible only when I look to U.
Sensitive my spirit to Your voice; for
I have set my heart to listen to You.
And I set aside my anxieties, plans
and impatience to hear from You.
So in my quietness, be my Strength;
deliver me from trouble; and grant
me grace to wait & Trust You. Amen.

Lord, thanks for being true & faithful
and that You are Waiting to show me
love and compassion. Forgive me
for looking elsewhere for help; and
acting as though I am in charge.
Lord, You reward those who seek
You and I need & want to turn to You.
Give me the resolve, the courage
and the tenacity to Wait for You.
And Strengthen my faith to see
Your faithfulness in my life. Amen.

Lord, Your Will is a place of safety
for me and I need to know I am
headed in the right direction.
So speak to me about Your Will
so that I can aspire to walk in it.
Help me hear Your voice speaking
to my heart telling me what to do,
how to do, when to do and especially
important decisions I need to make.
In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Knowing God In Isaiah 9 (Nov 2)

God Provides Your Needs

In the face of trouble and anguish,
Isaiah proclaims a note of hope.
The people that walked in darkness
have seen A Great Light (Isa 9:2).
There is coming a Child whose very
names instil hope and confidence.
Though shadows of judgment
darken the horizon, the redeemed
ones can sing, for the ultimate
victory is already assured.

Lord, You’re Everything We Need:
Time of darkness will not go on
forever… The people who walk in
darkness will see A Great Light…
For God will break the chains
that binds His people…
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given…
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
… He will reign over His Kingdom,
establishing and upholding it…
The Passionate Commitment
and zeal of the Lord Almighty will
guarantee this! (Isa 9:1-7) Amen.

Lord Jesus, we claim Isaiah 9:6 that
says: Nothing will stand in Your way
& nothing is outside Your authority.
We pray for resilience in hard times;
for we know that it is through trial
that people grow and mature. But in
Your mercy, don’t test beyond what
we can bear. And grant us grace
to live in peace & favour of break-
through for a new season. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You are our Prince of
Peace. Help us learn to rest in You,
to draw near to You in good times
and bad. Thank You for the promise
of deliverance & victory over trials.
In tough times teach me Lord to
look to You and to lean on You.
And make me a good example
of Your supernatural peace;
for You are my Peace. Amen.

Lord, help me to join You at work
to further Your Kingdom on earth.
Help me display Your character
as well as demonstrate Your way.
Teach me to trust in Your zeal
for my life and to know that Your
purposes cannot be stopped.
Expand Lord Your kingdom in me;
and let me feel Your passion for
me and for Your purposes. Amen.

Knowing God In Isaiah 6 (Nov 1)

God Reveals then Calls You

Wickedness has permeated
every fiber of Judah – a condition
which God finds intolerable.
Isaiah’s national call for repentance
is so urgent that even his Call
to the prophetic office must wait.
The task before Isaiah is unenviable,
for God said the people will be
spiritually deaf and nearsighted.
Having encountered God, Isaiah
begins to declare harsh words with
confidence in the courts of Judah.

Lord, You are Holy & In Control:
I saw the Lord Sitting on a Throne,
high and lifted up… Above it stood
seraphim… And one cried & said:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts
The whole earth is full of His glory!
Woe to me, I cried: For I am a man
of unclean lips, and my eyes have
seen the King, the Lord Almighty.
Then one seraphim flew to me,
having in his hand a live coal from
the altar. And he touched my mouth
& said: Your iniquity is Taken Away
and your sin purged (Isa 6:1-6).
I heard the Lord asking: Whom
should I send as a messenger to this
people? Who will go for us? Then
I said: Here am I. Send me (v8-9).

Lord, all praise and honour to You
for Sitting on the Throne & by faith
I proclaim that You reign over all.
You are In Control and everyone
and everything is subject to You.
When my faith is weak & I despair
because of challenges, remind me
Lord that You are still in charge.
Give me a vision of Your kingship
over the whole world and over
my world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lord, whenever I sense Your
holy presence, I am greatly
aware of my own unworthiness.
That really makes me even
More Grateful for how much
You had sacrificed for me.
Touch and purify me and help me
to separate from all that is unholy.
And I can come before Your holy
throne with confidence to find Your
mercy & grace in time of need. Amen.

Lord, You are glorious & magnificent;
and I adore You for Your willingness
to share Your presence with me.
Reveal more of Yourself to me; and
grant me the atmosphere in which
Your words are abundant and clear.
Open my ears Lord to hear of what
You have for me; to be and to do.
And help me have a tender heart
to respond positively to Your plan
so that I’ll do the good works that
You have prepared for me. Amen.

Thought for the Week: Psalm 23

The Lord’s My Shepherd

Backgrounder on Psalms 19-24:
The Lord can be seen in many
different roles in these six psalms.
He is the Creator (P19), Helper
(P20), King (P21), Crucified One
(P22), Shepherd (P23) & Glorious
One (P24). For each role, there
is a corresponding responsibility
for the people who would follow
Him as their God, King & Shepherd.

Lord, You Provide, Guide & Protect:
The Lord is My Shepherd, I Lack
Nothing & have everything I need.
He Leads me besides peaceful
streams. He Guides me along right
paths… Even when I walk thro the
darkest valley, I will not be afraid
for You are close beside me.
Your rod and staff Protect and
comfort me (Ps 23:1-4). Amen.

Lord, the Shepherd of my soul,
praise & thank You for Your Care.
You are not just my Creator and
my God; You are not just the King
and the Judge of the universe. For
You are my Shepherd & I’m blessed
for because of You, I Lack Nothing.
Keep me from complaining; and
Keep me from fear and worry; for
You’ll Provide all my needs. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, it is comforting
to know that I am not alone in
the journey of life. Thank You
that You are ever so vigilant,
Guiding and watching over me.
And thank You that You love to
lead me to “Peaceful streams”.
So, help me to always respond to
Your sweet small voice and stay
close to You. And I gladly Follow
You as You call my name. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, You faithfully
feed, guide and above all Protect
Your flock with Your very life.
Lord, You are always close by,
You protect & comfort us, and
You protectively watch over us.
Merciful Lord and dear Shepherd,
in my darkest moments when I’m
very afraid and I cry out to You,
please extend Your hand to hold
my hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflectn on Isr History & Psalms

Knowing God thru His Shepherding

The historical books tell of the entry
of Israelites into the Promised Land,
the monarchy, its division and exile;
whilst the purpose  of Psalms is to
provide poetry for the expression of
praise, worship and prayers to God.
This week we understand God better
thru seeing His Shepherding Ways.
On Monday, we learn from Josh 24
about God Who Backs His People.
On Tuesday, we learn from 1Sam 17
about God Who Is Our Defender.
On Wednesday, we learn from 1Kgs 3
about God Who Gives Wisdom.
On Thursday, we learn from Ps 23
about The Lord My Shepherd.
On Friday, we learn from Psa 32
about the Lord My Hiding Place.
On Saturday, we learn from Psa 103
about the Lord Who Gives Benefits.
Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face…In Jesus’ name.

Knowing God In Psa 103 (Oct 30)

The Lord who Gives Benefits

In Psalm 103, the psalmist urges
you to count your blessings. And
Psalm 98-102 provide plenty of
ideas to help you do just that by
focusing on the many things for
which you should be thankful:
your salvation (Ps 98) answered
prayer (Ps 99), God’s Goodness and
Mercy (Ps 100), God’s justice and
holiness (Ps 101) and God’s care
when you are downcast (Ps 102).

Lord, You Bless Your People:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
Forget Not All His Benefits –
who forgives all your sins,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life fr destruction
who crowns you with lovingkindness
who satisfies your desires with
Good things (Psalm 103:2-5).
The Lord is Merciful and Gracious,
slow to anger & abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us, nor
will He keep His anger forever(v8-9)
The Lord is like a father to his
children, tender & Compassionate
to those who fear Him. For He
knows how weak we are (v13-14).

Lord, You are worthy of praise,
for You do countless Good things
for Your children. Forgive us for
the times we fail to acknowledge
Your many blessings in our lives.
Forgiveness, healing, rescue,
love and mercy, You indeed fill our
lives with undeserved blessings.
Teach us Lord the wonderful habit
of counting our blessings. Amen.

Lord, You are Merciful & Gracious,
full of unfailing love; and I ask U to
reveal this in my life in these days.
Grateful for revealing Your wondrous
attributes to me in Your Word.
Open my eyes to who You really are
so that my prayers will rest on the solid foundation of Your character.
And may my prayers have dunamis
power because they are based on
the truth about You Lord. Amen.

Lord, in Your mercy, do not leave
us exposed to lack or danger.
Remember we are weak and
we can get easily discouraged.
Please do not test us too long,
beyond what we are able to bear.
Instead encourage us with ready
manifestation of Your presence.
Strengthen us Lord in the spirit
when we are deeply discouraged.
Help us see Your Compassion and
loving kindness toward us. Amen.

Knowing God In Psalm 32 (Oct 29)

The Lord My Hiding Place

Psalms 31-36 show how a proper
perspective can help you face
any circumstance; and can bring
you from gloom to glory (Ps 31)
from failure to deliverance (Ps 32),
fr false security to secured trust(P33)
from affliction to adoration (Ps 34),
from persecution to praise (Ps 35)
and from darkness to light (Ps 36).

Lord, You Are My Hiding Place:
When I kept silent,
my bones grew old through
my groaning all the day long…
For this cause everyone
who is godly shall pray to You…
You are My Hiding Place;
You protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs
of Deliverance (Psalm 32:3-7).
The Lord says: I Will Guide you
along the best pathway for your life.
I will Watch over you… (And)
he Who Trusts in the Lord,
mercy shall surround him (v8-10).

Lord, Thank You for giving us
security in midst of insecurity,
peace in the storm of life, and
a Hiding Place in Your safe arm.
Thank You for Your promise
that Your unfailing love will
surround those who Trust You.
And they who dwell in the shelter
of the Most High will rest in the
shadow of the Almighty. Amen.

Lord, You promise that You will
Guide Your people along the
best pathways for their lives.
Thank You for Your assurance
of direction and protection.
So, Guide me Lord day by day;
and give me the strength to step
out with courage and faith as
I sense Your leading. Amen.

Lord, You are My Hiding Place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
I will trust in You. Amen.

Knowing God In Psalm 23

The Lord’s My Shepherd (Oct 28)

Backgrounder on Psalms 19-24:
The Lord can be seen in many
different roles in these six psalms.
He is the Creator (P19), Helper
(P20), King (P21), Crucified One
(P22), Shepherd (P23) & Glorious
One (P24). For each role, there
is a corresponding responsibility
for the people who would follow
Him as their God, King & Shepherd.

Lord, You Provide, Guide & Protect:
The Lord is My Shepherd, I Lack
Nothing & have everything I need.
He Leads me besides peaceful
streams. He Guides me along right
paths… Even when I walk thro the
darkest valley, I will not be afraid
for You are close beside me.
Your rod and staff Protect and
comfort me (Ps 23:1-4). Amen.

Lord, the Shepherd of my soul,
praise & thank You for Your Care.
You are not just my Creator and
my God; You are not just the King
and the Judge of the universe. For
You are my Shepherd & I’m blessed
for because of You, I Lack Nothing.
Keep me from complaining; and
Keep me from fear and worry; for
You’ll Provide all my needs. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, it is comforting
to know that I am not alone in
the journey of life. Thank You
that You are ever so vigilant,
Guiding and watching over me.
And thank You that You love to
lead me to “Peaceful streams”.
So, help me to always respond to
Your sweet small voice and stay
close to You. And I gladly Follow
You as You call my name. Amen.

Lord Shepherd, You faithfully
feed, guide and above all Protect
Your flock with Your very life.
Lord, You are always close by,
You protect & comfort us, and
You protectively watch over us.
Merciful Lord and dear Shepherd,
in my darkest moments when I’m
very afraid and I cry out to You,
please extend Your hand to hold
my hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.