12/10/12. Isaiah 28:1-29. THE PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE-my devotional

Key Verse: 28:16                                                                                     Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF

“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

 Dear God in heaven, thank you for giving us so many wonderful things to think about and ponder in your word in the Bible. I spent most of the day in Bible study and learning about spiritual leadership. We were essentially scratching the surface of important issues. But my  mind and soul are satisfied delving into the ocean of your truth. I pray that I can grow and mature in my faith through a study of your word and even promote Christian education to the aboriginal peoples of NW Ontario. Please grant me one word of God to hold onto through this passage. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: A Fading Flower and a Glorious Crown (1-6).

The Lord pronounced judgment on the people of Samariawhich was Israelat that time. (800 BC) . Verses 1-4 reads, “Woe to that wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley— to that city, the pride of those laid low by wine! ² See, the Lord has one who is powerful and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destructive wind, like a driving rain and a flooding downpour, he will throw it forcefully to the ground. ³ That wreath, the pride of Ephraim’s drunkards, will be trampled underfoot. ⁴ That fading flower, his glorious beauty, set on the head of a fertile valley, will be like figs ripe before harvest— as soon as people see them and take them in hand, they swallow them.” They would be like a fading flower.Assyria was coming to devour the nation like the first fig of the season that is quickly eaten.

It is quite obvious that a people of a nation cannot get away with living a lifestyle that is not pleasing to the Lord. These people were drunkards. They were filled with negative pride. They thought they were as beautiful as a wreath and a flower and fertile. But all of this will be laid low. We should never revel and glory in this world or in our pride. If we do, we will experience God’s judgment and be trampled by forces in this world that we don’t have any control over. We will be trampled by them. Our beauty will fade and our fruitfulness will be taken away. This is the case for individuals and nations.

But there will a different outcome for those who love the Lord. Verses 5-6, ^“In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. ⁶ He will be a spirit of justice to the one who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” In that day, the Lord would be the glorious crown and beauty for the remnant who trust in him. He is the source of righteousness and strength for his people. Practically, this is revealed by the fact that He savedJudah fromAssyria’s attack at this time. But it is true also for any individual or nation who put their trust in the Lord. They will wear a crown of righteousness. They will be protected by God’s justice. They will be strengthened by God and protected by God against many enemies, especially spiritual enemies that assail their hearts. I like this outcome better. I want to stand on the side of God, in faith, and be blessed by God with many spiritual blessings. I pray for this nation and the people of  NW Ontario to stand by faith on the side of the God of the Bible and receive strength from God.

Part 2: God Will Speak to His People (7-29).

Even the religious leaders were corrupted. Verses 7-29 read, “And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. ⁸ All the tables are covered with vomit and there is not a spot without filth. ⁹ “Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? ¹⁰ For it is: Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that;  a little here, a little there.” ¹¹ Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, ¹² to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— but they would not listen. ¹³ So then, the word of the Lord to them will become:  Do this, do that, a rule for this, a rule for that; a little here, a little there— so that as they go they will fall backward; they will be injured and snared and captured. ¹⁴ Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ You boast, “We have entered into a covenant with death, with the realm of the dead we have made an agreement. When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by, it cannot touch us, for we have made a lie our refuge and falsehoodour hiding place.” Verses 17b-22, tell of even more destruction on the people.  Even the leaders ofSamaria became drunkards and mocked God’s word. There was no immunity from the Assyrians. There was no refuge in a lie or covenant with death. The Lord decreed destruction on the whole land.  Again, people may think they are so wise, getting away with many sins, but they don’t actually get away with anything. There is a reckoning for the choices that we make. We really need a savior!

I really need a savior for I too would have to face the judgment of God for my sins. But I thank God for Jesus, who is my savior. He saves me from the judgment due me. I pray that all people my come to know this Jesus as their own personal savior.

After accepting Jesus as our savior we need to make him the cornerstone of our live, family ministry, community and nation. Look at verses 16-17a, “¹⁶ So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it  will never be stricken with panic. ¹⁷ I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line;” In the midst of judgment, God held out the promise of salvation through a precious cornerstone. The one who trusts in him will never be dismayed. At the time of judgment and to the people who mocked his word, God gave the promise of the Messiah. A cornerstone is an initial stone in the building, that must be laid at exactly the right angle or the whole building will be lopsided and crooked. Jesus is that Cornerstone. If you build your life around it then your life will be solid and true and rise up sturdy. We will never be put to shame. Why do we try to make other things the corner stones?

Young people are just starting out in life. They are building their futures by the decisions they make. How important it is for them to that first building block, the cornerstone, Jesus Christ and his trustworthy Gospel.

For those who make the Lord the cornerstone of their lives, there is the wisdom of God as a reward. Verses 23-29 read, “²³ Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. ²⁴ When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually? Does he keep on breaking up and working the soil?  ²⁵ When he has leveled the surface, does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin? Does he not plant wheat in its place, barley in its plot,and spelt in its field? ²⁶ His God instructs him and teaches him the right way. ²⁷ Caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; caraway is beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a stick. ²⁸ Grain must be ground to make bread; so one does not go on threshing it forever. The wheels of a threshing cart may be rolled over it, but one does not use horses to grind grain. ²⁹ All this also comes from the Lord Almighty, whose plan is wonderful whose wisdom is magnificent.” He is truly wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom. Those who have the cornerstone, Jesus will be blessed by the wisdom of God. Who does not want that?

Prayer: Lord, help me to honor your word and build my life on the sure foundation of Jesus.

One Word: Jesus is the cornerstone