Isa 45

Devotion 1 of 1: Isa 45

In Isaiah’s time, both northern Israel and Judah had compromised their faith in Jehovah God and were worshiping the idols of the nations around them! And when they saw the threats of invasion coming from Assyria and, later on, from Babylon, they fearfully turned to those wooden idols to save them (v.20).
This is why God repeatedly warned them that he alone was God in v.5, 6, 14, 18, 21 and 22! In the end, Israel’s idols failed them, and they were defeated by their enemies.
In the endtime AC will also deceive the nations into believing that he alone can save the world and bring about global peace. Let’s learn from Israel’s failure that peace and salvation come through Jesus Christ alone!

EPH 2: Free sharing!
In this chapter, the church is called the household of God (v.19), the temple of the Lord (v.21) and the dwelling place of God (v.22)! These are 3 beautiful pictures of the church! I would like to share a story that illustrates the church as God’s household.
Many years ago, when I was studying the Bible in Texas, I had the opportunity to visit a Chinese church in Houston, Texas. It was pastored by Hong Sit, a wonderfully anointed Bible teacher and preacher. Because his church had both Chinese and American members, he always preached very eloquently in two languages, Chinese and English!
One day, as I was talking with him, he shared one secret of his very blessed marriage and household. He showed me the inside of his wedding ring, upon which he had these words inscribed: “God made us Sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:5). (Do you understand the double meaning?) By he and his wife sitting in heavenly places in Christ, his home was always filled with love and joy!