God Speaks
During Jotham’s Reign, God Used Isaiah to Prophesy about Both Judgment and Restoration
Verse of the Day: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over hiis kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Chronicles 27 and Isaiah 9-12:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Chronicles 27
1. God honors and rewards those who walk steadfastly before Him.
2. People in positions of leadership, like Jotham, are more likely to grow powerful when they walk steadfastly before the LORD and declare Him as their God.
Isaiah 9
1. God has a bright future in store for those turn to Him in trust and obedience, but His wrath is poured out on those who arrogantly deny Him and pursue wickedness.
2. People should return to the LORD and embrace the Messiah whom God is sending to rule over them, bringing peace and good governance both personally and corporately.
Isaiah 10
1. God will deal severely with their enemies when a remnant of His people turns back to Him for help.
2. Wicked people like Assyria do not realize that they are being used by Almighty God to discipline (correct and strengthen) His people.
Isaiah 11
1. The Messiah that God is sending is described as having or being the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying God and in bringing justice and righteousness to the people, especially to the poor and needy.
2. When the Messiah reigns, people will witness extraordinarily good events among the animals and the nations.
Isaiah 12
1. God is great among His people; they shout for joy and sing of all the wonderful things He has done.
2. People who want to be saved are to trust in the LORD and not be afraid. They will make known His praise around the world.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Chronicles 27 and Isaiah 9-12?
O LORD, You are so great and mighty. You deserve all the praise I can give You. In Your time and in Your way, You honor and reward all those who walk steadfastly before You. May I be one of them. Please enable those in leadership positions who follow You and Your ways to grow in power as they walk steadfastly before You, do things Your way, and declare You as their God. Thank You for the bright future You have in store for those who act out of trust and obedience to You. Please urge people by Your Holy Spirit to return to You and embrace Jesus as their Messiah. Deal severely with any enemy that is working to keep people from following or glorifying You. I realize now that You may have used negative circumstances in my life to correct me and strengthen my faith in You. Thank You for the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD that You have made available to me. Thank You also for the extraordinarily good events among the animals and the nations we will witness when Messiah rules on the earth. May multitudes of people around the world want to be saved, trust in the LORD, and not be afraid. May we all make known Your praise and bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Chronicles 27 and Isaiah 9-12? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will turn back to God and embrace the Messiah He sent in the past (the Son of Man, Jesus of Nazareth) and look expectantly for His return and reign,
- I will forgive someone who has wronged me on the basis of Jesus’ death on the cross and that God may have been using what they did to correct and strengthen my faith in Him,
- I will ask the LORD to give me the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and the fear of the LORD. I want to delight in obeying God and in bringing His justice and righteousness to those in my sphere of influence.
- I will join with others to shout for joy and sing of all the wonderful things the LORD God has done and is in the process of doing.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.