Date: Wednesday August 01, 2012
Today's Chapters: Isaiah 43-45
Message Title: By Faith

Hello My Friend,

Faith is the substance that holds the glue of our relationship with God, without faith we do not get very far. While our works do not saved us, our works do help us receive God's blessings beyond salvation as we simply follow Him by faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:1-3,6.

Through Isaiah God encourages Israel to not get discouraged and lose faith in Him during their time of judgment. While He does remind them of the rebellion that was the cause of His judgment in the first place, He also reminds them that they are His people, they are redeemed, and He made them who they are. “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” - Isaiah 43:1,5-7.

From the second we are conceived God has a purpose for us, whether we rebel or not it's all for His glory, sooner or later all of God's people will realize their purpose for being here and seek to follow the path God has laid out for them. “Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” - Isaiah 43:9-11

God's message was not only for the Jews, but for all who believe in Him, God created everyone and everything, but being a creation is nothing compared to being an heir, a child of God. Once a person accepts Christ as their Savior they, in fact, become a child of God and just like earthly parents can never disown their kids God never disown His kids. God assures Israel that even those whom had fallen into idolatry are still His and He will save them. “Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.” - Isaiah 44:8,21-23.

By faith we understand that the comforts that flow into the soul when it receives Christ are like no other, it refreshes, cleanses, mends the broken heart, lessens the worry, and reminds us that we are accepted and one of God's children. “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:10,11,16,17.

A maker is one that makes, forms, shapes, or molds something into existence. God is the Maker of all and one day we will all meet our Maker, though many will wish they had not. Through Isaiah, God foretells of the fate of unbelievers, but gives hope to all who come to the Savior. “Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.” - Isaiah 45:21-24.

By faith we believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, our Savior and Redeemer, our Maker. He is the only one who can save us from death, hell, judgment, sin, the list goes on and on, but unless we believe and accept Him we will not be saved from any of it. One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess before Christ, the redeemed, fully aware that they are not worthy, will join Him in His Kingdom, those who never received Him will see their shame first hand. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” - Titus 2:11-14.

Today's Prayer: God, I know the importance of living by faith for without it I would not even be sitting here right now talking to You. God, lead me and guide me, help me to follow Your will by living in Your Word. Increase my faith so much so that everything I do and go through reminds me that You are at work in my life and that all things will come to past. Best of all I know that I will be blessed even more as I simply and fully obey Your commands. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? Visit: God's Price
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Subscribe To This Devotional: Subscribe
Unsubscribe From This Devotional: Unsubscribe

©2012 I'm Following Jesus