DAY 191 Read Isaiah 32 through 35.
Today's reading: This passage contains one of the favorite descriptions of the new earth (chapter 35). It also has wonderful promises--our memory gem, for example.
Memory gem: "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isaiah 32:17).
Thought for today:
An interesting title made by combining a word with Jehovah is found in Judges 6:24: "Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalam," which means "Jehovah is peace." Parallel to this, in the twenty-third psalm we find the words, "He [the Lord] leadeth me beside the still waters," the waters of quietness. And the apostle Paul writes of Jesus, "He is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14).
In the days of Gideon, Israel had forsaken God and therefore knew no peace. Only occasionally did they turn back to God; and then, we are told, the land had peace.
The wicked never have any peace. "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:20, 21).
First comes righteousness, then peace. We read in Isiah 32:17: "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."
But the only righteousness that God accepts is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and of those upon whom it is bestowed by faith in him; for Jesus "made peace through the blood of his cross," we read in Colossians 1:20.
And, friend, if you trust in Him, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). And He will lead you every day and every night by the still waters of His love.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
Isaiah 33:16. "Munitions"--strongholds.
Isaiah 34:5. "Idumea"--Edom.
Isaiah 34:11. "Bittern"--probably hedgehog or porcupine.
RSS Feed
