Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

23 July 2024

Reading From Isaiah 35-36

“Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The Lord will deliver us.’ Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they rescued Samaria from my hand? Who of all the gods of these countries have been able to save their lands from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”

But the people remained silent and said nothing in reply, because the king had commanded, “Do not answer him.”

–Isaiah 36:18-21

     The king of Assyria would not have spoken these blasphemous taunts if he had been familiar with the story of the Exodus and how that mighty deliverance turned out for Pharoah and his army.  Such are the mockeries that spew out of people’s mouths who do not fear the Lord God.  As we have found throughout the book of Proverbs, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It is never wise to make fun of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 

     We hear and read disparaging remarks concerning our God all the time from news outlets, social media and the entertainment industry.  The Lord and anyone who dares to have faith in Him are mocked and ridiculed even as the personal lives of the godless scorners are heartbreaking wrecks.  Those who are faithful to Yahweh must take courage in the knowledge that He is real and a day of reckoning is coming when He will mete out perfect justice upon all inhabitants of the Earth.

“Lord, I pray that You would forgive them for they know not what they do.  It is tempting to stoop to their level, but I ask that You give us, Your children, the courage and strength we need to resist wallowing around in the muck.  Help us to take the high road.  May Your sons and daughters carry themselves with dignity and respect regardless of how You and our faith are maligned.  Fortify us with Your love and power in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.”

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

And gave him the name that is above every other name

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

In heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Chris is Lord,

To the glory of God the Father.

–Philippians 2:9-11