Today’s Reading:  Isa 9:1–10:19, Luke 3:1–38, Job 3:1–16

Today’s Theme: God’s Instruments (Tools)

Today’ theme is all about the instruments or tools God intends us to be in His hands to accomplish His purposes in the earth. The greatest instrument in the hands of God the Father is His own Son, Jesus.

We have a choice, either we are joyful, submissive, humble and obedient instruments like Jesus or we are either of two negative extremes, which would see us walk in pride like the king of Assyria or self loathing like Job.

We should live in a way to sharpen each other as God’s tools and not grow rusty through lack of use.

Isaiah 9:1–10:19

Jesus, the light in darkness

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2 (ESV)

Matthew was very clear that when Jesus decided to go and live in Capernaum at the start of His ministry He did so in fulfilment of this prophecy, as we read in Matthew 4:13-17.

Jesus is supremely useful. He is not the light standing aloof from the world far up in the clouds needing special mediation, rituals and insight to receive the benefits of His light, no, Jesus is a light IN darkness.

Jesus came into the world and from there shines the light to those who sit in darkness, Jesus brings the light to us.

Jesus is not a useless instrument He is extremely useful in the Father’s hand because He gets down into the dust and darkness of humanity through the incarnation and shines the light of God’s truth and presence.

As Christians we are called to be incarnational missionaries like Jesus in the hand of God to shine the light right in the middle of darkness and death rather than shining upon it from a distance.

Engage with the dark world around you by shining the light of the truth found in the gospel message and life.

Jesus, The God-Man King

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

This is such a clear prophecy of the coming of the Messiah Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jewish commentators say that this is just a prophecy about king Hezekiah while some commentators claim the amazing titles given to this king are akin to titles given to kings in Egypt. So titles like mighty God just mean a great warrior.

All the attempts to rationalise this are foolish. The text is quite straight to the point and has clear implications for those who reject the doctrine of the incarnation of the son of God.

We must continue to pray for Jewish people who reject this as a prophecy about Jesus and for the unbeliever who also tries to rationalise it away.

It is clear from this verse that the Messiah will be human because he will be born, however His birth will not be normal because He will be born to a virgin which points to the other point, the Messiah King’s origin will be divine.

The divine attributes of Jesus are seen clearly in the four titles given to Him.
(1) As wonderful counsellor Jesus would teach with the sort of wisdom the world had never heard before.
(2) As Mighty God Jesus would remain divine while a man.
(3) Jesus is a father to those who follow Him, taking care of them as a loving king and not like the kings of earth, He is eternal.
(4) Jesus as the prince of peace has brought peace between God and man and will bring ultimate peace in the end.

Jesus, the God-Man, God’s greatest instrument.

Jesus, King, Now and Not Yet

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:7 (ESV)

One of the areas that cause frustration for Jewish and secular commentators is that they have not been enlightend by the Holy Spirit and so miss the dual nature of the prophecies about the Messiah. These show that He will come as a suffering servant and then return as an eternal conquering king.

This cannot be a king among other kings in the middle of the historical royal line like Hezekiah. This is a final king, the ultimate king with a kingdom that never ends, this is David’s greatest son, Jesus the Christ.

The promise of God to David known as the Davidic covenant finds it’s fulfilment in Jesus, as do all the covenants, prophecies and scriptures.

We have an understanding of messianic prophecy in the church which is sometimes called the “now and not yet”. For example the kingdom of God has come but not fully realised in the world as yet. In the same regard, Jesus is king right now but will fully realise and consummate his kingship and kingdom when He returns as the king at the 2nd coming.

God actively and passionately brings prophecy to pass.

Jesus, the now and future king, God’s final instrument.

Humble tools in God’s hand

For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I remove the boundaries of peoples, and plunder their treasures; like a bull I bring down those who sit on thrones. Isaiah 10:13 (ESV)

The proud talk of the Assyrian king is the opposite to the humble and selfless service of king Jesus.

God is sovereign even over war, governments and peoples. God uses us as instruments in His hands so it is foolish for us to walk in pride when we have been effectively used by God.

Pastor Dennis gives a great analogy of the donkey Jesus rode on taking a bow, that would be absurd.

As vessels, tools and instruments in the masters use we must remain humble and keep perspective like King Jesus and not like the king of Assyria.

After God has used us let’s agree with Jesus’ teaching in Luke 17:10 “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

The Boasting Axe

Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood! Isaiah 10:15 (ESV)

Just drumming our point home that there is no place for pride. We are tools in God’s hand to accomplish His purposes.

Paul makes the point clear in Romans 9:20–23 “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?…”

Recognise yourself today as an axe, rod and vessel designed to accomplish a task for God’s great purpose and glory, not your own.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be a sharp, accurate, sturdy, trustworthy tool to get the job done.

Luke 3:1–38

Stay sharp, show your repentance

Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Luke 3:8 (ESV)

If we do not show the clear evidence of repentance it at best means we will dull our edge as God’s tools. As we compromise in sin our effectiveness as tools will erode, at worst we will show evidence that we are not God’s children.

John was being used as a powerful instrument in God’s hands and he did not shirk back from speaking the truth.

Repentance is an active thing, effort and deliberate focus is needed. It is not just an act of the heart but of the mind and will too

We cannot rely on our Christian heritage as the people of Israel in John’s day relied on just being Hebrews.

The people ask the question what then shall we do and John gives them some very practical answers. Ask the Holy Spirit today to also give you practical answers, to help you to be an effective tool for God today.

A day of wrath is coming, so pick up your feet and run from it.

Please God, like Jesus

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 (ESV)

God declared from heaven that He was well pleased with Jesus. We want God to say the same of us.

As believers we have been baptised by Jesus with God the Holy Spirit. Now we need to use our faith to be effective tools in God’s hands and bring God pleasure (Hebrews 11:6).

Notice the entire trinity is present here so the modalists are wrong. Modalists, like oneness Pentecostals, say there is no trinity and that the one God just takes on different forms. This is opposed to orthodox doctrine and the testimony of the scriptures which reveals that God is one being with three distinct persons, namely Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

God testifies that Jesus is His Son. Like our Old Testament reading said, Jesus is God the God-Man (100% God while 100% Man, known as the hypostatic union).

Job 3:1–16

Why are you here

Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? Job 3:16 (ESV)

God has a purpose for your life. You are one of His instruments, He seeks to use you for His purpose to bring glory to His name.

If you are going through depression like Job, then look up to God. He has a purpose for you in the same way a carpenter has a use for a hammer, drill or screwdriver.

Many children die at birth or in the womb and are with God now. You did not die in the womb, if you are reading this today then God allowed you to live, this means He has a purpose for you even in the middle of difficulty and suffering.

Look up.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 3

Today’s Reading:  Isa 7:1–8:22, Luke 2:22–52, Job 2:11–13

Today’s Theme: God’s Firm Word

Today’s theme is all about the firm reality of God’s words vs the lies of the enemy and the powerless words of man. It is by God’s word and especially His decrees and prophecies which are guaranteed to come to pass that our faith in God and wisdom in God will increase.

We can trust God above all and know that His word is firm and sure.

Isaiah 7:1–8:22

God’s word overrules

thus says the Lord GOD: “ ‘It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass Isaiah 7:7 (ESV)

God said that the plans of the enemy will not stand and will not come to pass. This proved to be true as history records.

God’s decrees as the King, overrule and supersede all the plans and words of the enemy. While our enemy is powerful and intelligent they are no match for God the sovereign.

We can trust God’s word today which overrules the word of the enemy. 1 John 4:4.

Have firm faith

And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ” Isaiah 7:9 (ESV)

Ahaz was given a choice, trust God and His word, or the enemy and their word. One of the major themes in Isaiah is trust which is displayed through the contrast of either trusting God or the nations.

I read the following from commentator J N Oswalt which sums this up well “Unless Ahaz comes to the point where he can believe in God’s sovereignty to the extent of entrusting himself and his nation to God, he is doomed to live in the shaky, panicky condition he now experiences”

James picks this up in the New Testament. If we do not have firm faith in God then we will not be firm in our lives. In James 1:6-8  we read “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Firm, steady, resolute faith in God and His word will give stability and balance to our minds and lives today.

Prophecy of the virgin birth

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

Some see a double prophecy here. In the immediate sense God is giving a sign to Ahaz that he would see within his lifetime that God was with them. In the next chapter this theme is developed and we see a child born, Isaiah’s own son who was named for prophetic symbolism as “Maher-shalal-hash-baz” which may point to the more immediate fulfilment of the prophecy.

However, there is so much here and later in tomorrow’s reading which points squarely and conclusively to the Messiah, the God-Man, Jesus the Christ. We read just yesterday that Jesus was born of a virgin, He had no earthly father. Also note Isaiah’s wife was neither unmarried or a virgin.

The name Immanuel can only be properly associated with Jesus as He is God with us as Matthew points out in Matthew 1:23.

Some liberals throw this out as a prophecy and say it is just about a young woman having a child. This is nonsense because that would not be a sign of anything, young women have babies all the time.

God’s prophecy here (which will be made even clearer in tomorrow’s reading) is a trustworthy word which was fulfilled by Jesus the Christ.

The Proof of Prophecy

for before the boy knows how to cry ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away before the king of Assyria.” Isaiah 8:4 (ESV)

One of the greatest evidences of the Bible being the inerrant word of God is the proof of prophecy. Our faith is the only one in the world that has a track record of accurately fulfilled prophecies.

God knows the end from the very beginning and actively brings His word to pass. As such, He is in the unique place to give prophecies that come to pass.

We cover this point and 4 other external proofs that prove the Bible is the inspired word of God in our documentary called The Gospel which you can view and share online here https://vimeo.com/channels/wwmfgospel

The enemy’s counsel

Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us. Isaiah 8:10 (ESV)

As we have read throughout the Psalms this year, the enemy may conspire against you, but do not fear, his plans will not succeed.

People may even take counsel against you, try to sideline you, speak evil of you, slander you, and gossip about you with the intention of pulling you down. If God is with you they can not ultimately succeed.

The words of devils and people are impotent. They do not have the power to do you harm or good. Their words cannot stand because God has already spoken words of life over you and the power and potency of God’s word cannot be undone.

Trust in the power of God’s decrees over your life, that they will stand up against every other word. Put your trust in what God has already said.

Say yes and amen to the word of God 2 Corinthians 1:20.

Be careful of conspiracy theories

“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. Isaiah 8:12 (ESV)

As a side note, do not get caught up in chasing conspiracy theories. Don’t get me wrong there are conspiracies and cover ups out there but as this verse suggests these can lead to fear and dread which is unhealthy.

I personally remember several years ago I spent time looking into all sorts of conspiracies. Some may have been true, others certainly were not but the overall feeling they left you with was uncertainty and fear.

Instead spend your time and energy focusing on God and His word where you find sure hope and salvation.

Luke 2:22–52

Prophecy fulfilled

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29–32 (ESV)

Jesus is God’s surest fulfilment of prophecy. Like faithful Simeon and Anna we should be filled with hope and joy as we look to Jesus and see that yes God is faithful to His word and personally see that His word is fulfilled.

God gave prophecies in Isaiah and throughout the Bible that Jesus would come and gave a personal assurance to Simeon that he would see Him.

As we read through Luke’s account our faith should grow and our resolve that God backs up His word and fulfils all He has said should grow.

Jesus is the fulfilment and pinnacle of all scripture. Jesus has indeed brought revelation to all nations and glory to Israel.

Ask questions

After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:46 (ESV)

A simple life lesson from the boy Jesus. We should take time to listen and should always ask questions. Rev. Taylor once said that her dad had counselled her to always be willing to learn by listening to others.

Take time to ask questions today, don’t be a know it all, be teachable and humble because this will make you wise.

Jesus was the incarnate Word, the one who gave the law in the first place, but He still asked questions. Even if you know the answer, ask questions to help you understand where people are so you can help them.

Increase in wisdom

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. Luke 2:52 (ESV)

Jesus increased in wisdom which means in the incarnation He laid aside his omniscience (the knowing of everything as God).

We must also increase in wisdom, this will come through God’s firm word in the Bible primarily but also through life experiences and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Job 2:11–13

Don’t speak

And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great. Job 2:13 (ESV)

Sometimes the best comfort we can give a person in grief is to just be there, we don’t need to say anything. Sometimes our words can bring more pain or have no effect. True comfort is found in God’s sure word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 2

Today’s Reading:  Isa 5:1–6:13, Luke 1:67–2:21, Job 2:1–10

Today’s Theme: God Displayed

Today’s theme is God displayed. We will be looking at the various ways God is shown to and through us. God can be shown through fruit in our lives, judgement, glory, mercy, integrity and ultimately through the incarnation.

Isaiah 5:1–6:13

Fruit Displayed

What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it? When I looked for it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes? Isaiah 5:4 (ESV)

God wanted to see the fruit of His care, covenant and dwelling with His chosen people Israel. The fruit would be evidence of God being with His people and seeing the good fruit would bring God glory and pleasure (in a sense God would eat or be pleased by the fruit).

Jesus picks up the same theme when He speaks about His followers bearing good fruit that shows evidence of our changed natures.

Jesus sums this up well in Matthew 7:17–19 “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Also see Matthew 12:33, Matthew 13:23, Luke 6:43 and Luke 13:6-9.

Paul speaks about fruit that comes from the indwelling of God the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

We are called to display God by bearing good fruit today that others can come and taste and see through us that God is good which brings glory and pleasure to God.

Judgement Displayed

I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns shall grow up; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. Isaiah 5:6 (ESV)

This verse speaks about God’s judgement on His own people, the later verses speak about judgement on the wicked. God is displayed through His judgement on His people when we are wayward and on the ways of the wicked.

When the world sees God’s judgement it should show the fuller picture of God. He is not just a God of love, He is holy and actively brings judgement on the wicked.

You have a choice! You can display God through His judgement in your life which is not wise or you can use wisdom by displaying God through the proclamation of the gospel which includes the truth of God’s judgement.

We can depend on God the Holy Spirit to point to God by bringing conviction of judgement to come. Jesus said in John 16:8 “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:”

We are called to display God by speaking the truth about the coming judgement.

Glory Displayed

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1 (ESV)

When God takes it upon Himself to display Himself it is just awesome. Isaiah had one of the most amazing visual encounters with God.

God showed His great, majestic glory as the King throughout the Bible to others like Moses, Elijah, Daniel and John.

Like Isaiah the reality of God’s glory should cause us to walk in humility.

This glory was seen most clearly through Jesus.

Let’s pray God’s glorious presence will be seen and felt in our times of private and corporate worship.

Luke 1:67–2:21

Mercy Displayed

to show the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, Luke 1:72 (ESV)

God would show mercy to His people through His prophet John the Baptiser. He gives them the opportunity to repent and by fulfilling the promises He had made.

God’s mercy and goodness points us to God. It reveals God for who He is and God’s word declares the goodness of God should lead us to repentance.

When we show mercy we display God, when we forgive and show mercy we are most like God.

Jesus Displayed

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (ESV)

God is most clearly displayed through the incarnation of God the Son in the person of Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Jesus the God-Man displays God’s heart, ways and plan. John said in John 1:14–18 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth… For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

Look to Jesus to see God’s greatest revelation. Show the world Jesus to show them God.

Job 2:1–10

Integrity Displayed

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Job 2:3 (ESV)

If we hold onto our integrity in the middle of suffering we display God in a way that the enemy can never counterfeit and cannot overcome.

This is the great mystery of the Gospel, that God is strong when we are weak. Let God be strong in the middle of your suffering so that He is displayed to all.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 2

Today’s Reading:  Isa 2:6–4:6, Luke 1:39–66, Job 1:13–22

Today’s Theme: The Traps of Idolatry or 10 idols to avoid

Today’s theme looks at the traps of idolatry. When we walk in pride, exalt man, our own desire, ideas or work we form idols and bow to them, and then are bound by them.

Don’t fall for the alluring trap of idolatry, worship and trust in God only.

To help us all apply this to our lives the Lord has shown me 10 idols that we need to look out for from today’s reading, they are listed below.

Isaiah 2:6–4:6

Idol 1: Your works

Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made. Isaiah 2:8 (ESV)

The land was filled with idols, idols the people had formed with their own hands.

What things have you made and now idolise? Is it your education, career, sports achievements, your house, your car, your religious works or your family?

God is the creator and expects us to use our hands to work and make things but He does not expect us to substitute Him for the things He gave us the wisdom to make.

We thank God for the gifts He has given us, we must not forget the creator and worship the creation or anything man made. Romans 1:25.

The works of our hands cannot save us. Idols always hold out a false promise albeit in our own minds as an idol is nothing. It has no mind or will or power only God can help us, only God should be trusted and only God deserves our worship and allegiance.

You cannot make God, God alone is God, cast down the idol of your own works today.

Idol 2: Pride

For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; Isaiah 2:12 (ESV)

Pride both creates idols and is an idol itself. God declares that He will cast down all pride, God will judge pride and bring it down.

The Hebrew root word for proud in this verse is “arrogance”.

To help us identify and avoid the trap of pride here are some working definitions (taken from the bible sense lexicon):

• Unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem.
• A person characterised by arrogance.
• Undue feelings of self-respect or pleasure in something by which self-worth is measured.

Pride can be a tricky idol, this is why we need to ask the Holy Spirit to watch over our hearts and why we need each other. It is possible to walk in pride without realising, this is why we need God’s help and need to live with a humble attitude.

Pride is such a large area of sin that it is one of sin’s three major type groupings which affect all in the world mentioned in 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

Don’t make pride your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of pride and arrogance today.

Idol 3: Men

And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. Isaiah 2:17 (ESV)

It is possible to lift a mere person up to the status of a false god or idol in our lives.

The obvious “idols of men” will be famous people like movie stars, musicians, authors, speakers, preachers and leaders. We need to watch our hearts with those we are fans of or look up to that they do not become idols.

There is nothing wrong with looking up to, respecting or holding someone in honour. In fact we should do this with our parents, elders and pastors for example but must stop short of idolatry, looking up to God above them all.

The less obvious “idols of men” can be our children, spouses or some other positive person in our lives who we look up to or worship in place of and above God.

Jesus dealt with this in Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Don’t make people your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of men and family today.

Idol 4: Arrogance

For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. Isaiah 3:9 (ESV)

There was arrogance in Israel, they boldly and happily proclaimed their sin like Sodom.

We live in a world where sin is paraded and championed. We have seen this most recently in the cultural upheaval and sexual revolution happening on both sides of the Atlantic where gay marriage, transgender and abortion advocates have made pride in sin their mantra i.e. Gay Pride.

Arrogance in sin must not be an idol in our lives. We must not burn our conscience. Arrogant and open sin makes the sin and apparent right to commit the sin the idol.

This 4th of our 10 idols is one of the worst. If you are in the grip of the evil one, taking pride in your sin you desperately need God to save you through His son Jesus Christ.

Remember the warning of 1 Timothy 4:1–2 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared”.

Don’t make sin your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of arrogance and rebellion today.

Idol 5: Injustice

As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.” Isaiah 3:12 (ESV)

God calls his people to be champions of justice. God desires that men, women and children flourish in the world that he has made.

The idol we observe here is injustice, this is an idol we erect and worship through a sin of omission (not doing something we should do) rather than a sin of commission.

Our western culture teaches us to look out for number 1 and to pursue a comfortable life. It also pushes aggressive egalitarianism which would see inexperienced children ruling over us and women usurping authority over men.

This is a picture of a broken and cursed society. Our society is like this in ways today, we have been called to be lights in this world. Matthew 5:14.

Do not erect an idol of injustice through not pursuing justice. Speak up for the speechless, the oppressed, the poor and forgotten in Jesus name.

Don’t make injustice your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of injustice and indifference today.

Idol 6: Lust

therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts. Isaiah 3:17 (ESV)

Our world is becoming more and more sexualised.

Sex is the biggest idol in today’s world.

We must not make sexual pleasure our god. We should not cherish sexual lust or hold it close, if we do we will be burned.

Concerning lust the proverbs warn us in Proverbs 6:27–28 “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?”.

Sexual lust wars against the soul. God has created sex to be enjoyed in the honour and security of marriage between one man and one woman only.

Beware if sex is your god, God will judge the idol and the judgement will bring you shame, for example; a child out of marriage, a sexual disease, being found out etc.

Parents protect and educate your children so they avoid the aggressive sexualisation of the culture around them.

Don’t make sexual lust your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of sex and lust today.

Idol 7: Self

And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, “We will eat our own bread and wear our own clothes, only let us be called by your name; take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1 (ESV)

The exhalation of self is the idol that strikes us closest.

Our world has pushed many women into a very difficult position through women’s liberation, extreme egalitarianism and libertarianism. Our world teaches women to pursue careers and self above the God given desire to be married and rear children.

A woman can be so desperate to pursue her career that she will stretch herself to provide for herself as long as she can have a child and a partner like the women in this verse.

This toxic mixture has fostered many unhealthy relationships where partnerships are entirely practical while each member pursues their own self centred agenda. This eventually destroys the individuals and hurts the children.

This is an example of the idol of self. The effect of self exaltation is a confrontation with the Self Sufficient One, God… you know who will win.

Don’t make self your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of self and self exaltation today.

Luke 1:39–66

Idol 8: Mary

And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45 (ESV)

Now we look at a specific idol that has oppressed generations of faithful Roman Catholics, Mary.

This is so sad because Mary is a hero of the word. She exhibited great faith and trust in God and she was called blessed in scripture because God chose her and she responded in submission and obedience.

She is called blessed because of her faith in the word of God.

In her song of praise Mary magnifies the Lord, she did not see herself as an idol or god.

Let’s appeal to Catholics everywhere to follow Mary’s example from scripture, which was to worship God alone, to put faith in His word and submit to Him.

Pray today that the idol worship of Mary in the Roman Catholic church would be cast down and Catholics would worship God alone.

Idol 9: Tradition

but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” Luke 1:60 (ESV)

Elizabeth boldly stood against the traditions of her people which we will see throughout the New Testament has become an idol.

We must not allow traditions of man to become idols that we worship especially in our families and in the church.

We must not put our trust in traditions but God alone.

The truth of God’s word trumps every tradition.

Don’t make tradition your god, God alone is God, cast down the idol of tradition and religion today.

Job 1:13–22

Idol 10: Things

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20–21 (ESV)

Every physical thing that Job had was wiped out in one day, but these things were not idols to Job so he worships the Lord in response to losing them.

Materialism is everywhere in our world. Materialism teaches us to make idols of things.

We should not make the things we possess idols, we should not let them possess us.

Let’s join Job in his worshipful perspective. His heart was consumed by God and not his riches, that is the only way he could respond like this. His very response is the opposite of materialism. What would our response be?

Don’t make things your idol, God alone is God, cast down the idol of things and materialism today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Luke 1

Today’s Reading:  Isa 1:1–2:5, Luke 1:1–38, Job 1:1–12

Today’s Theme: Rebellion, Repentance and Restoration

Today it’s all about change. We are starting three new books, and it is the first day of the 8th month – new beginnings.

Today’s themes are rebellion, repentance and restoration. We look at the foolishness and danger of rebellion, the required response of repentance in consciously turning from rebellion and the resulting restoration.

The pattern is Rebellion > Repentance > Restoration

Isaiah 1:1–2:5

Rebellion, biting the hand that feeds you

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Isaiah 1:2–3 (ESV)

God addresses Israel as His own child and declares that they have rebelled against Him, their Father. This was true of the nation at the time.

When the Hebrews refer to God as Father, they are pointing to His nurturing and rearing of them, this makes rebellion against their caring Father, even more striking and unnatural.

The reference to the dumb ox and donkey knowing the master that feeds them, puts this all into context. Rebellion is sin’s unnatural response to the one who cares for us.

We need to examine our hearts today, God provides for us so much and it is madness that we turn against Him in rebellion.

James 1:17 reads “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Ask the Lord today, to help your eyes to be open to all that He does and provides for us, so that we will not walk in the madness of rebellion.

God’s remnant

If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:9 (ESV)

In the midst of rebellion and apostasy, God has always had a people. This was true in Israel. Just being Hebrew did not mean someone was saved. The remnant who do not walk in rebellion, but repent of their shortcomings and wholly follow the Lord, are the ones that are saved.

The remnant are not just better people, they are God’s elect people, set aside for His purposes. If God does not keep a remnant of people in the earth, we would all go the way of Sodom and Gomorra in rebellious sin.

Ephesians 5:8 reminds us “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”.

Thank God that He has made you a part of His remnant in the earth, not just a church goer. However be mindful that you have work to do and need to take responsibility, as we will see later in the chapter.

There is no profit in religiousness

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. Isaiah 1:13 (ESV)

God was fed up with empty religion and hypocritical prayers.

Some teach that if godly principles are followed, an unsaved man can benefit, but this is not true. It is a type of Karma teaching, found in new age movements like “The Secret”, which talks about the law of attraction.

For example, a wicked, wilfully sinful, unsaved man who pays tithes, should not expect to “be blessed” because he “followed the principle”.

Religion aside from a living relationship with God is of NO profit. God is not obligated by so called spiritual laws. God is a person and must be related to as a person, not a thing or force.

God is relational and created us to enjoy relationship with Him, so religious observance, no matter how strict, is of NO profit, aside from a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.

Religious observance cannot and will not save you. Going to church, reading the bible, praying, fasting, tithing, going on a pilgrimage, keeping feasts and having communion, will not save you or commend you to God.

We must repent of our wickedness and pursue a living relationship with God our Father, then the religious works all find their proper place and context.

Be honest, argue it out

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

In the preceding verse, the children of Israel are called upon by God, to actively repent of their sin, to consciously turn from doing evil to doing good.

The call to repentance is the same for us today, God cannot repent for you, only you can repent (turn away) from your sin, so repent.

Here we see God’s appeal to His people, He calls them to come and reason with Him, with the aim that their sins will be covered and they will be restored.

The word ‘reason’ here, has the sense of arguing it out in the original Hebrew. God calls us to be honest with where we are, come before His word openly to argue it out, say what we feel, listen to what God says in His word, listen to the consequences of each position, and make a decision.

We need to come and talk with, relate to and reason with God’s revealed word, to cultivate a good and honest relationship with Him. As a result, we are delivered from sin and its consequences and are restored.

So come, honestly talk to God about it and allow His word to talk back to you.

The ultimate restoration

He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4 (ESV)

The restoration that comes through repentance finds its ultimate consummation in the restoration of all things, which will happen at the second coming of the Messiah, Jesus.

This is a great prophetic hope that one day, Jesus will judge and rule over all people and war will be no more.

Until all people come and learn of God and submit to His ways, as mentioned in the previous verses, there can be no lasting peace.

We look forward as we walk in repentance daily, to the peace and restoration that will come in the Kingdom of God, under Jesus as the King.

Luke 1:1–38

You can be certain

that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:4 (ESV)

God’s word is certain, reliable and trustworthy. We will be reading Luke’s account until the end of the month. It is worth noting that Luke was a skilled historian who was able to compile accounts from eyewitnesses and record them in one coherent story.

Luke was led by the Holy Spirit, to make his account of the events of the life of Jesus and the early church, so we could be sure about what happened and was said, so our faith would be firm.

You can be certain about the biblical record today and can look into its message to find life.

John the restorer

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:16–17 (ESV)

John was prophesied about in the old testament (Malachi 3:1), and now Gabriel tells his father that John will lead Israel in repentance to God, resulting in restoration, in preparation for Jesus.

Our call is similar to John’s, we should also call people to repentance, that they would turn to God. We often think of this for the world, but repentance in context, is really for God’s own people. An unsaved man has nothing to turn back to.

We should spur one another on to walk in repentance, to keep realigning ourselves with God.

When we call brothers in the church or a sinner in the world to repentance, it will lead to restoration of the relationship God intends us to have with Him and each other.

Jesus, the Son of God

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. Luke 1:35 (ESV)

Meditate on this breathtaking truth today!

This is the cornerstone of our faith, Jesus was incarnated, He came into the world through a chosen virgin from the house of David, named Mary. Jesus is the Son of God.

If we do not believe in the virgin birth, we are not Christians.

It is worth noting that the first imperative of Jesus’ public ministry was ‘repent’.

It is also worth noting Mary’s response. She was humble and submissive to the will of God, so should we be. We do not worship Mary but we do acknowledge that God specially chose her, as a Jewish virgin, to bring the incarnated Messiah, Jesus, the God-Man into the world.

Job 1:1–12

Job, one who repents

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. Job 1:1 (ESV)

Job was one who turned away from evil and walked in repentance. We should be like him, we should hate sin and turn away from it.

God, Sovereign over the enemy

And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:12 (ESV)

We see that God is sovereign even over Satan.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 1