Jeremiah, Jesus, And How to Shine Bright in An Ever-Darkening World 

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8 16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5 

Jeremiah lived in a time where spiritual darkness reigned over the world and Israel.  He was a prophet, preaching the word of God for 42 years.  Most of his ministry he was known as the weeping prophet.  Yet, God had called him to shine bright the light of God’s Glory to an ever-darkening world.  He was beaten, imprisoned and ostracized even by the local clergy, priests, and kings of his day.  His ministry began in the days of Josiah who did lead a revival; yet, the revival was not true in the hearts of the people.  Although King Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, the people merely followed with a blindness unpenetrated by all they saw.   

Perhaps for the most part it was a go with the flow kind of worship like we see all too often even today.  We know this because as soon as he died, his son and all the people turned immediately away from God.  Jeremiah’s ministry carried on until the Babylonian overthrow of Jerusalem.  Yet, so how was it he found the strength to shine bright in an ever-darkening world?  And how through it all did he point to Jesus throughout his ministry and life? His was a message of warning; yet, out of it also comes to us a message of hope.  He demonstrates for us four key elements needed to shine.  Furthermore, he points us to the coming Savior.   

So, let’s begin with the 4 elements that show us how to shine bright in an ever-darkening world.   1. Predestination 2. Provision 3. Protection 4.  Promise.  

First element to shine bright Predestination 

 4 the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1 (KJV) 

Way before you were ever born, I formed you to be my prophet.  As such I endowed you with special character traits and characteristics.  Chosen before the foundations of the world.  This is what God said to Jeremiah and it is what He says to each of us who are His. 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  I Peter 2 (NKJV) 

But how and why is that true? 

It is through the blood of Jesus that we know our position as chosen 

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People 

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 

“Behold, I lay in Zion 
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, 
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” 

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious;   I Peter 2 (NKJV) 

Jeremiah was Chosen and We are Chosen to Shine Bright the Word 

Chosen so that we might shine bright into an ever-darkening world.  Knowing this truth transforms our heart so we might speak truth into darkness.  We are bold knowing He chose us, formed us, and He will carry us all the way home as His Precious child.   

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.  Ephesians 1 (NKJV) 

This in contrast to the world that is darkened by those who choose darkness rather than light.   

but to those who are disobedient, 

“The stone which the builders rejected 
Has become the chief cornerstone,” 

8 and 

“A stone of stumbling 
And a rock of offense.” 

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.  I Peter 2 (NKJV)

Therefore,

if by His Miraculous Grace, you have received Him as Lord and Savior in your life, know this.  You are chosen to shine bright His grace and love into an ever-darkening world.  That was Jeremiah’s chosen destiny.  It was not easy for him who came to be known as the weeping prophet.  But what good company he was with.  Jesus wept over the people’s failure to grasp the depth of His gift to them.  He wept for a world hell bent on doing it their way.   

Because of this, we are to: 

1Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

. 2 As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  1 Peter 2 (NKJV)  

As such we must embrace our mission field wherever we are planted by the Lord.  Whatever job, family, or community He has placed you—it is your predestined mission to shine bright.  This should give you the boldness to do just that instead of being fearful or ashamed.   

Not Only Are We Chosen, But Provision Is Ours 

6Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 

7 But the Lord said unto me. Say not, I am a child. For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. 

8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. 

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. 

10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms. To root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.  Jeremiah 1 (NKJV)

In Addition to the Words, God gave Jeremiah the Character to Be Strong

God promised to give Jeremiah the words and the power needed for Jeremiah to succeed.  We are promised the same.  He knit Jeremiah together in his mother’s womb . the exact characteristics he needed to stand firm amid all the turmoil.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.  Matthew 28 (NKJV) 

By whose authority are we to go and teach?  Jesus!  Whose power is provided in us?  Jesus! Did he say we can alter the teaching to fit the society?  Absolutely no!  “teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you.”  We cannot compromise the truth of the gospel to appear more loving to society.  Appearing more loving pulls us into their darkness rather than shining bright the light of truth to rescue them.   

EXAMPLE IN POINT 

If a house were on fire and I failed to sound an alarm or rush in to rescue, then I am responsible for their death.  Jeremiah saw the nation in flames for their corruption and could not stop sounding the alarm, regardless of the harm to himself.   

How much more, knowing that God has provided all that we need to do His bidding.   

He has equipped us with His wisdom, His power, and with the Holy Spirit to guide us.  What more could we want? 

The Third Element to Shine Bright in an Ever-Darkening World is Protection 

Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. 18 For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. 19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee. Jeremiah 1: 17-19 (NKJV)

God sent Jeremiah as an army of 1 against all the kings of Judah, the princes, the priests, and the people; yet, that army of 1 was equipped by God Himself.   

11“O you afflicted one, 
Tossed with tempest, and not comforted,… 
14 In righteousness you shall be established; 
You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; 
And from terror, for it shall not come near you. 
…17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, 
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment 
You shall condemn. 
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, 
And their righteousness is from Me,” 
Says the Lord.  Isaiah 54 (NKJV)  

Chosen, Provided For and Protected So We Might Shine Bright His Truth

We are predestined as His chosen, provision is given for all we need, and we are protected as we march forth to do His will. 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Romans 9 (NKJV)  

Fourth element allowing us to Shine Bright into an Ever-darkening world is Promise 

We are the children of promise.  This world is not my home, I am just passing through.  Remembering that gives strength to march through some of the darkest hours of this life; knowing that He is there ready to call me home any moment.  The hardest moments of this life are but a blink of an eye compared to eternity.  Jeremiah knew this.  He knew that God had a plan of redemption for himself and for the nation. 

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. 

Do NOT be deceived by the false prophets 

10 For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.14 And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.  Jeremiah 29 

We also know He will return for us.  Yet a little while  

16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [g]Helper, so that He may be with you forever; 17 the Helper is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him; but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you….19After a little while, the world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.  John 14 (NASB) 

Therefore 

 1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be   John 14 (NASB) 

Jeremiah foretold of the New Covenant Promise 

31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 

35 Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name:   Jeremiah 31 (NKJV) 

This is certain. 

His promise to Israel yet to come and His new covenant promise to us as well. 

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things having come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands, that is, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all time, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  Hebrews 9 (NASB)

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.   Hebrews 9 (NASB) 

We Have All We Need to Shine Bright to an ever-darkening world

Thus because of our being chosen (predestined), provided for, protected, as children of the promise we must shine bright the light of Jesus Christ to an ever-darkening world, regardless of the cost or the price we must pay.  Unashamed, unafraid as the army of the living God, led by Jesus Christ the King of God’s Army 

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19 (NASB) 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

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How to Embrace the Hidden Secret of Comfort Amid Life’s Tempestuous Journey 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

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How to Embrace the Hidden Secret of Comfort Amid Life’s Tempestuous Journey 

4Sing for joy, O Daughter of Zion; 
shout aloud, O Israel! 
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, 
O Daughter of Jerusalem! 
15The LORD has taken away your punishment; 
He has turned back your enemy. 
Israel’s King, the LORD, is among you; 
no longer will you fear any harm. 
16On that day they will say to Jerusalem: 
“Do not fear, O Zion; 
do not let your hands fall limp. 
17The LORD your God is among you; 
He is mighty to save. 
He will rejoice over you with gladness; 
He will quiet you with His love; 
He will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3 (Berean Bible)

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On that day, He will quiet you with His love and will rejoice over you with singing.  But what about today?  Is He not mighty among us today as well?  How do we embrace the hidden secret of comfort Now. Even amid our tempestuous life’s journey, is it not there with us?  He who is the same today, yesterday, forever and always.  Is He not among us?  Mighty to save, rejoicing over each one of His beloved children with gladness.  Is it not His wondrous love that can quiet or turbulent hearts as He rejoices over us with His singing.   

Everything around us screams out the brokenness of this world and the world system in which we live at present.  Our own lives are filled with chaos, always changing, with obligations, worries, and uncertainties.  How can we maneuver life’s tempestuous journey.  Even when we think we have it all together, something always steps in.  It feels like our very souls are tossed to and fro.  If only we could embrace the hidden secret of comfort only He can afford amid the chaos. Then we could soar above the worries and trials we face here on this earth.    If only we could learn to rest in His love.   

Life’s Tempestuous Journey in the days of Zephaniah 

Such also was the world in which Zephaniah was living.  He saw all the evil around him; yet, there was King Josiah.  There was a glimpse of hope amid the darkness of the world around him.  King Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.  Revival spread through the land.   Then the word of the Lord came to Zephaniah and that word was one of certain judgement drawing closer with each day.   

1 This is the word of the LORD that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hezekiah, in the days of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah:  

2 “I will completely sweep away  

everything from the face of the earth,”  

declares the LORD.  

3 “I will sweep away man and beast; 

I will sweep away the birds of the air,  

and the fish of the sea,  

and the idols with their wicked worshipers.  

I will cut off mankind 

from the face of the earth,”   Zephaniah 1 (Berean Bible)

It was His people and His land that God spoke of here.  His rage against sin certain and his people the worst of sinners.  Although he was foretelling of the coming Babylonian conquest of His people, this declaration was far more global than just that.  It foretells a judgement yet to come.  One that weighs heavily on my heart these days.   

Life’s Tempestuous Journey filled with Sorrow

1I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. 2I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.  Romans 9 (Berean Bible)

Yet, no amount of sorrow or anguish can transform a single soul.  Those who seek after Baal and idols, worshiping self, the earth and the stars rather than God will perish.  My tears and sorrow cannot change that.  How is there any hope to embrace the hidden secret of comfort in this tempestuous life’s journey.  His wrath and judgement is certain. 

declares the LORD.  

4 “I will stretch out My hand against Judah  

and against all who dwell in Jerusalem.  

I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal,  

the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests—  

5 those who bow on the rooftops 

to worship the host of heaven,  

those who bow down and swear by the LORD 

but also swear by Milcom,  

6 and those who turn back 

from following the LORD,  

neither seeking the LORD.  Zephaniah 1 

God will not Be Silent Forever

God never remains silent forever.  We look around and see idolatrous living.  Wars and rumors of wars abound in the news  We watch as our children and grandchildren are confronted with so many   evil ideas. At times subtle and at other times blatantly in our faces.   Their innocence of childhood being brutally from them, right before our eyes   Voices of reason are muffled by the noise of the crowds.  So how do we embrace hidden secrets of comfort amid life’s tempestuous journey? Zephaniah suggest we: 

Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD,  

for the Day of the LORD is near.  

Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; 

He has consecrated His guests.  

But who are His guests?  Is it not as Jesus said? 

Life’s Tempestuous Journey–the Hidden Secret of Comfort

Then Jesus dismissed the crowds and went into the house. His disciples came to Him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”  

37 He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 

40 As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. 42 And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.   Matthew 13 

Life’s Tempestuous Journey –Where is the Hidden Secret of Comfort Found?

8 “On the Day of the LORD’s sacrifice  

I will punish the princes,  

the sons of the king,  

and all who are dressed in foreign apparel.  

9 On that day I will punish 

all who leap over the threshold, 

who fill the house of their master  

with violence and deceit.  

10 On that day,” declares the LORD,  

“a cry will go up from the Fish Gate,  

a wail from the Second District,  

and a loud crashing from the hills.  

11 Wail, O dwellers of the Hollow,  

for all your merchants will be silenced; 

all who weigh out silver will be cut off.    Zephaniah 3 

Not only will He judge those who perpetrate evil but also those who sit idly complacently while watching evil grow.  

12 And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, 

who say to themselves,  

‘The LORD will do nothing,  

either good or bad.’  

Jesus will Return to Reign in Jerusalem

The Lord will return for the rapture.  Judgement will rain down on earth as every depravity of humanity comes full circle.  The antichrist and beast will reign upon this earth with a global rule.  At that time Jesus will take the scroll of the deed to earth.  He will open the seven seals, the seven trumpets will sound, and the seven bowls of wrath will be poured out to cleanse the earth.  Particularly this will be the final cleansing of God’s People—Israel.  Only then will the remnant embrace the hidden secret of comfort amid life’s tempestuous journey.   

The Great Day of the Lord is Near

14 The great Day of the LORD is near— 

near and coming quickly.  

Listen, the Day of the LORD!  

Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.  

15 That day will be 

a day of wrath,  

a day of trouble and distress,  

a day of destruction and desolation,  

a day of darkness and gloom,  

a day of clouds and blackness,  

16 a day of horn blast and battle cry  

against the fortified cities,  

and against the high corner towers.  

17 I will bring such distress on mankind 

that they will walk like the blind,  

because they have sinned against the LORD.  Zephaniah 1 

8Therefore wait for Me,”  

declares the LORD,  

“until the day  

I rise to testify. 

For My decision is to gather nations,  

to assemble kingdoms,  

to pour out upon them My indignation— 

all My burning anger.  

For all the earth will be consumed  

by the fire of My jealousy. 

A Faithful Remnant 

9For then I will restore  

pure lips to the peoples,  

that all may call upon the name of the LORD  

and serve Him shoulder to shoulder. 

10From beyond the rivers of Cush 

My worshipers, My scattered people,  

will bring Me an offering. Zephaniah 3  

Our comfort must be in trusting the God who Aways does as He has promised.  Let us not grow weary as we wait for him.  

11On that day you will not be put to shame  

for any of the deeds  

by which you have transgressed against Me.  

For then I will remove from among you  

those who rejoice in their pride,  

and you will never again be haughty  

on My holy mountain. 

12But I will leave within you a meek and humble people,  

and they will trust in the name of the LORD. 

13The remnant of Israel  

will no longer do wrong or speak lies,  

nor will a deceitful tongue  

be found in their mouths.  

But they will feed and lie down,  

with no one to make them tremble.” 

But to embrace the hidden secret of comfort, one must first know what this hidden secret is.  The truth is it was never hidden nor secret. It has been the theme throughout the ages.  The only theme and word that matter is Jesus Christ.  The perfect incarnate son of God the father, united in purpose with their very essence—the Holy Spirit.  The three in one.  So, let us turn to this prayer of Jesus that we might have hope in this world.   

1When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. 4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. 

He is all power, glory and dominion forever; yet, willingly paid our penalty and price.  At that same time, he was preparing to face the unthinkable upon the cross—separation from Father and Holy Spirit for a time, bearing their wrath being poured out upon Him on our behalf.  Even then, he paused to pray for us.   

Prayer for the Disciples 

6I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. 8For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. 

I told them the truth of who you are and who I am.  They believed and on faith accepted every word. They belong to you just as they belong to me. 

9I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. 10All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. 11I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You.  

Therefore, I ask you: 

Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one. 12While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled. 

Let them know the hidden secret of comfort amid this life’s tumultuous journey.  Let your joy fill their hearts with steadfastness, abiding each step of the way. 

13But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

Yes, we will face Life’s Tumultuous Journey.  Even more tumultuous because they must remain to do the work for now.  The evil one will continue to attack their hearts and minds in this broken world.  But God is there every treacherous step of the way to uplight and uphold us by His mighty hand.   

15I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world. 19For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. 

Prayer for All Believers 

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

22I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—23I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me. 

24Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

25Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me. 26And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.” 

When I Feel So Lost, Alone 

When I feel so lost, alone 

I turn my gaze upon His throne 

He who for my sins did die 

To rise again and justify 

A wretched heart whose selfish pride 

Could never set my Self aside 

Until I saw a glimpse His gaze 

It was there my heart was set ablaze 

To know a love so greater still 

That I might bow beneath His will 

And when I feel so sad, so down 

I then must look upon His crown 

A crown of thorns once cut His brow 

Exchanged for Glory that somehow 

To there bestow on me His Grace 

So as I gaze upon His face 

Transform this wretched heart of mine 

Unto His righteous Heart Divine 

As step by step I bow before 

The one who doth my life restore 

For when I stop to see this world 

The sorrow, pain evil has hurled 

Upon the foolish, blind and lost 

I then can see the depth, the cost 

The weight of sin He chose to bare 

For selfish ones who do not care 

With hate-filled looks, their brazen stare 

Whose hardened hearts do then declare 

Themselves as kings yet all the while 

Destroying all! Such Hate and guile 

They think themselves so righteous wise 

While cloaked with lies their one disguise 

Oh, how I hate to see them Lord 

Despising you in one accord 

Yet, there I see your arms stretched wide 

To bid them come to You, abide 

Oh come repentant, sinner come 

And bow before Your throne succumb 

Unto Your Grace, Your love profound 

To there sing praise, Salvation’s Sound 

Broken and Sad 

So broken, sad my desperate heart 

Desires to leave this world, depart 

To sit before Your precious throne 

And bask within Your love alone 

Broken, scarred, no strength, no might 

To face the battles I MUST fight 

It is there I hear your gentle voice 

Bid me to stay and make the choice 

To stand once more, Your truth my shield 

As to they will I fully yield 

In You I have the strength, the might 

In darkness, You are my shining light 

So, hold me tight within Your hand 

That I might do all Your will has planned 

Your love, your joy will fill each day 

You will give my lips the words to say 

So, I might then proclaim Your Glorious Grace 

Help others see Your Lovely Face 

So that the broken, lost alone 

May then repent, make you their own 

So all the lost, broken and sad 

Come look upon His Cross be glad 

For He who died to pay your way 

Will come, abide with you today 

You will find that there above all measure 

He is the one, your greatest treasure 

Who takes your lost and broken heart 

To there indwell and never depart 

His Love for You will never cease 

That you might know His Joy and Peace 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

Have You Not Heard that God is Tireless and Jesus is King? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

Have You Not Heard that God is Tireless and Jesus is King? 

Have you not known? 
Have you not heard? 
The everlasting God, the Lord, 
The Creator of the ends of the earth, 
Neither faints nor is weary. 
His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 (NKJV) 

It is Elohim (God in three persons) who has proclaimed this.  He does so in Isaiah 40 where he is foretelling of a time yet to come in which Jesus is King forever.  God is Tireless, he does not faint nor grow weary.  He is not slow in accomplishing all that he has promised.  Yet, in His Merciful Grace, He waits until the ordained moment in time only known to the Father.  Yet, this passage also speaks of Jesus who is Lord.  He is also the creator of the ends of the earth as John proclaimed nothing was created apart from Him in John 1: 3 Therefore, Jesus is tireless as well.  He never faints nor grows weary in pursuing all those whom are His. 

After much of Isaiah describing the coming judgement for Israel, he speaks of the coming full restoration.  Yes, he was speaking of the Assyrian overthrow of Israel and the Babylonian overthrow of Judah; but, also he referred to a future time.  It is that future time that completes the cleansing of Israel once and for all.  That is how when reading Isaiah 40 we must see not only the past moments of comfort, but also the future comfort that will not end. 

God is Tireless in Proclaiming Hope and Comfort 

“Comfort, yes, comfort My people!” 
Says your God. 
2 “Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, 
That her warfare is ended, 
That her iniquity is pardoned; 
For she has received from the Lord’s hand 
Double for all her sins.”  Isaiah 40 (NKJV) 

Why would there be consideration that the Jewish nation would pay double for their transgression.  They were the covenant people of God.  No nation had been given more enlightenment as to God’s person than Israel at that time.  Yet, often we see pagans worship God with more fervor than the chosen people of God.  Was this not the case with Ruth?  Or later the case with Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus, both of which at minimum did acknowledge His sovereignty over the affairs of humanity?  If you recall, even the city of Nineveh which was the center of Babylonian culture repented and were saved for a time until the next generation failed to worship God and they returned to their evil ways as a nation.   

But are these words of comfort not for us as well?  We did not replace the Jewish nation in God’s plan; but uniquely are grafted into the promises.  Also, there is the warning as well.  If we know Him as Lord and Savior, are we not to receive a greater earthly punishment when we stray?  Although, rather than punishment, it is God’s chastisement to cause us to turn around before we destroy ourselves and our testimony.   

God is Tireless—Jesus Foretold of 

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 
“Prepare the way of the Lord; 
Make straight in the desert 
A highway for our God. 
4 Every valley shall be exalted 
And every mountain and hill brought low; 
The crooked places shall be made straight 
And the rough places smooth; 
5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, 
And all flesh shall see it together; 
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  Isaiah 40 

Even before the Babylonian exile, Isaiah wrote of the John the Baptist and Jesus’ birth.  The Glory of the Lord shall be revealed!  He came, he died, he rose again, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father awaiting the moment of His return.  First to rapture His church and then to save Israel from the evil.  It is during the tribulation that Israel will finally repent as a nation and trust wholly in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.   

Lift up your voice with strength, 
Lift it up, be not afraid; 
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” 

10 Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand, 
And His arm shall rule for Him; 
Behold, His reward is with Him, 
And His work before Him. Isaiah 40 (NKJV) 

As God is tireless, He will continue through the ages performing all His pleasure in caring, wooing, and providing for his own.  

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; 
He will gather the lambs with His arm, 
And carry them in His bosom, 
And gently lead those who are with young.  Isaiah 40 (NKJV)

Do Not Doubt the Power of God 

He has displayed His wisdom and power throughout all the ages of earth.  His miracles have been on perfect display, if only we open our eyes to see.   

12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, 
Measured heaven with a span 
And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? 
Weighed the mountains in scales 
And the hills in a balance?  Isaiah 40  (NKJV)

God is tireless in directing the earth as well.  He does not grow weary or faint.   

 
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, 
Or as His counselor has taught Him? 
14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, 
And taught Him in the path of justice? 
Who taught Him knowledge, 
And showed Him the way of understanding?  Isaiah 40  (NKJV)

God is all knowledge, truth, wisdom, and righteousness.  He created it all from His own essence.  No power on this earth can overtake Him. 

15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, 
And are counted as the small dust on the scales  Isaiah 40 (NKJV)

Can you doubt, fear or wonder about Him.  Is there anything or anyone who can compare to Him?   

18 To whom then will you liken God? 
Or what likeness will you compare to Him?… 

21 Have you not known? 
Have you not heard? 
Has it not been told you from the beginning? 
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, 
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, 
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, 
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.  Isaiah 40 (NKJV)

God is tireless in His Watching Over the Nations 

Although He may allow evil to rise for a time, He uses it to accomplish His perfect plan of Grace.  

 
23 He brings the princes to nothing; 
He makes the judges of the earth useless. 

24 Scarcely shall they be planted, 
Scarcely shall they be sown, 
Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, 
When He will also blow on them, 
And they will wither, 
And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. Isaiah 40 (NKJV)

Therefore 

25 “To whom then will you liken Me, 
Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. 
26 Lift up your eyes on high, 
And see who has created these things, 
Who brings out their host by number; 
He calls them all by name, 
By the greatness of His might 
And the strength of His power; 
Not one is missing.  Isaiah 40 (NKJV)

Every star in the heavens obey His command.  They remain in their orbit by the hand of Jesus Christ. 

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.(Colossians 1:17 ESV)  

28 Have you not known? 
Have you not heard? 
The everlasting God, the Lord, 
The Creator of the ends of the earth, 
Neither faints nor is weary. 
His understanding is unsearchable. 
29 He gives power to the weak, 
And to those who have no might He increases strength.  Isaiah 40 NKJV

Because God is tireless, neither shall we faint 

 
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, 
And the young men shall utterly fall, 
31 But those who wait on the Lord 
Shall renew their strength; 
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
They shall run and not be weary, 
They shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40 NKJV

We have no fear because we know who holds our hand.   


The terrors that surround us are nothing compared to His strength and power to hold us.   

Fear not, for I am with you; 
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you, 
Yes, I will help you, 
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ 

11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you 
Shall be ashamed and disgraced; 
They shall be as nothing, 
And those who strive with you shall perish. 
12 You shall seek them and not find them— 
Those who contended with you. 
Those who war against you 
Shall be as nothing, 
As a nonexistent thing. 
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, 
Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’  Isaiah 41  (NKJV)

The Plan for the Salvation of the Gentiles Outlined 

Although we would have given up long ago on all this race of people, God is tireless in His pursuit.  What He has proclaimed from the beginning, He has completed to the end. 

Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, 
My Elect One in whom My soul delights! 
I have put My Spirit upon Him; 
He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 
2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, 
Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. Isaiah 42   (NKJV)

Jesus came for the broken and the downcast spirit.  God is tireless in His pursuit of justice.  

 
3 A bruised reed He will not break, 
And smoking flax He will not quench; 
He will bring forth justice for truth. 
4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, 
Till He has established justice in the earth; 
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.”  Isaiah 42 NKJV

And who is this we are to place our trust? 

5 Thus says God the Lord, 
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,(Do You Know) 
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, 
(He) Who gives breath to the people on it, 
And spirit to those who walk on it:  Isaiah 42 NKJV

He has called for His people to be a light in the world.  Yet, this He will accomplish in you.   

 
6 “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, 
And will hold Your hand; 
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, 
As a light to the Gentiles, 
7 To open blind eyes, 
To bring out prisoners from the prison, 
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 
8 I am the Lord, that is My name; 
And My glory I will not give to another, 
Nor My praise to carved images. 
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, 
And new things I declare; 
Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”  Isaiah 42 (NKJV)

God Tells of His plans for Israel both past, present and future 

Isaiah 43 foretells of the return of prosperity to the nation of Israel as well as strength.  Many of these prophecies have been fulfilled since 1962.   God is preparing a way for the ultimate redemption of the Jewish nation and the completion of His covenant promises.  Forever, He is tireless in His work throughout the ages and today.   

10 Sing to the Lord a new song, 
And His praise from the ends of the earth, 
You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, 
You coastlands and you inhabitants of them! 
11 Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice…, 
Let them shout from the top of the mountains. 
12 Let them give glory to the Lord, 
And declare His praise in the coastlands. 
13 The Lord shall go forth like a mighty man; 
He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. 
(And) He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; 
He shall prevail against His enemies. Isaiah 42  (NKJV)

Although it appears He is Tarrying Long, God is Tireless 

14 “I have held My peace a long time, 
I have been still and restrained Myself. 
Now I will cry like a woman in labor, 
I will pant and gasp at once.  (Isaiah 42 NKJV)

Just as the earth is like a woman in travail, God will cry out against injustice.  He sees all that is happening and will return when the time is right.  Then, He says at that time, concerning Israel He has said, 

 
15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills, 
And dry up all their vegetation; 
I will make the rivers coastlands, 
And I will dry up the pools. 
16 I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; 
I will lead them in paths they have not known. 
I will make darkness light before them, 
And crooked places straight. 
These things I will do for them, 
And not forsake them. 
17 They shall be turned back, 
They shall be greatly ashamed, 
Who trust in carved images, 
Who say to the molded images, 
‘You are our gods.’  Isaiah 42 NKJV

God is Tireless As He Prepares The Way

Isaiah 43 foretells of the return of prosperity to the nation of Israel as well as strength.  God is preparing a way for their ultimate redemption and the completion of His covenant promises.  He is tireless in His work throughout the ages and today.   

6 “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, 
And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 
‘I am the First and I am the Last; 
Besides Me there is no God. 
7 And who can proclaim as I do? 
Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, 
Since I appointed the ancient people. 
And the things that are coming and shall come, 
Let them show these to them. 
8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; 
Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? 
You are My witnesses. 
Is there a God besides Me? 
Indeed there is no other Rock; 
I know not one.’”  Isaiah 44  NKJV

 Jesus Came, He Lived, He Died, He rose, and He is coming Again 

So together in one voice let us read the conclusions in how God is tireless and therefore, we have nothing to worry, though all around us falls apart. 

Who has believed our report? 
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 
2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, 
And as a root out of dry ground. 
He has no form or comeliness; 
And when we see Him, 
There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 
3 He is despised and rejected by men, 
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. 
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; 
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 

4 Surely He has borne our griefs 
And carried our sorrows; 
Yet we ]esteemed Him stricken, 
Smitten by God, and afflicted. 
5 But He was wounded  for our transgressions, 
He was bruised for our iniquities; 
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, 
And by His stripes we are healed. 
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; 
We have turned, every one, to his own way; 
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 

7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, 
Yet He opened not His mouth; 
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, 
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, 
So He opened not His mouth. 
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, 
And who will declare His generation? 
For He was cut off from the land of the living; 
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. 
9 And they made His grave with the wicked— 
But with the rich at His death, 
Because He had done no violence, 
Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; 
He has put Him to grief. 
When You make His soul an offering for sin, 
He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, 
And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. 
11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. 
By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, 
For He shall bear their iniquities. 
12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, 
And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, 
Because He poured out His soul unto death, 
And He was numbered with the transgressors, 
And He bore the sin of many, 
And made intercession for the transgressors. 

 Isaiah 53 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

How is The Sovereignty of God Almighty Demonstrated in Babylon’s Fall? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com

How is The Sovereignty of God Almighty Demonstrated in Babylon’s Fall? 

O Lord, you are my God; 
    I will exalt you; I will praise your name, 
for you have done wonderful things, 
    plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1 (ESV) 

Isaiah and Habakuk foretold of Babylon being brought down to overthrow Israel.  Isaiah also told of the fall of Babylon.  But as we read Isaiah 13 and 14, we will see that God revealed the nearer predictions of Babylon as well as that yet to come.  But you might say is Babylon still a prominent city?  No, but the spirit of Babylon is alive and well.  All these predictions of Babylon occurred before Babylon even had risen to power.  Indeed, its initial fall was at least 150 years after these predictions of Isaiah.  It helped to give Daniel hope and faith amid his captivity.  Also, Isaiah even foretold of Cyrus, the Persian (way before he was even born). Therefore, Babylon’s Fall, declares the Sovereignty of God Almighty.  

Furthermore, just as the former fall of Babylon came to be, so will the future fall of Babylonian thought.  What is the greatest sin leading to Babylon’s failures?  Is it not the same as Satan’s greatest sin?  Pride.  Pride causes humanity to believe oneself to be greater than God.  Oh, one might say, “I would never believe myself greater than God.”  But do we not each time we are sad believing our life oppressed?  If we really believe He is good and all that He desires for His redeemed is their sanctification and their joy, then would it not be pride that causes us to be saddened by any circumstances? A pride that destroys faith is believing we know better than God what is best for us.   

So, let’s look at some of this prophecy and evaluate how it declares why we must not fear.   

The Sovereignty of God speaks to Cyrus before he is born.   

5 “Thus says the Lord to His anointed, 
To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held—                             
To subdue nations before him 
And loose the armor of kings, 
To open before him the double doors, 
So that the gates will not be shut: 
2 ‘I will go before you 
And make the crooked places straight; 
I will break in pieces the gates of bronze 
And cut the bars of iron.  Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

Think of this, God is foretelling through Isaiah the strength of Cyrus from Persia.  Cyrus the Great was the Persian King who developed the massive Achaemenian Empire.  He was born somewhere around 590-580 BC.  Isaiah died somewhere between 690-680 BC.  What did God’s word say to Cyrus? 
 

3 I will give you the treasures of darkness 
And hidden riches of secret places, 
That you may know that I, the Lord, 
Who call you by your name, 
Am the God of Israel. 
4 For Jacob My servant’s sake, 
And Israel My elect, 
I have even called you by your name; 
I have named you, though you have not known Me. Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

This was the message from God, that later Daniel would read to Cyrus the Great.  He then released the Jewish people to return and rebuild Jerusalem.  Furthermore, he gave them materials to do so.   

Amazing Truth, the Sovereignty of God Almighty 

5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; 
There is no God besides Me. 
I will gird you, though you have not known Me, 
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting 
That there is none besides Me. 
I am the Lord, and there is no other; 
7 I form the light and create darkness, 
I make peace and create calamity; 
I, the Lord, do all these things.’ Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

It was the Sovereignty of God Almighty and His strength that gave Cyrus the Great his success in conquering huge portions of land.  It was in 539 BC that Cyrus the great conquered Babylon.   

8 “Rain down, you heavens, from above, 
And let the skies pour down righteousness; 
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, 
And let righteousness spring up together. 
I, the Lord, have created it. 

   Isaiah 45 (NKJV) 

And therefore, we can believe this truth, righteousness will one day overtake the world when Jesus Christ returns in all His Glory to reign upon earth. Only God can create righteousness on earth.  It is part of His essence.   

The Sovereignty of God Almighty in the Fall of Babylon 

The pronouncement concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw: 

2 Lift up a flag on the bare hill, 
Raise your voice to them, 
Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles. 
3 I have commanded My consecrated ones, 
I have also called for My warriors 
Who boast in My eminence, 
To execute My anger.  Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

Consecrated is defined as to Make or Declare—God had declared Cyrus to overthrow Babylon, but who in the future destruction of Babylon? I guarantee God has someone already declared though they may not have yet been born..   


4 A sound of a roar on the mountains, 
Like that of many people! 
A sound of an uproar of kingdoms, 
Of nations gathered together! 
The Lord of armies is mustering the army for battle. 
5 They are coming from a distant country, 
From the farthest horizons, 
The Lord and the weapons of His indignation, 
To destroy the whole land.  Isaiah 13 (NASB)  

Who is leading this great ultimate overthrow of the mysterious Babylon?  Jesus Christ for He is the Lord of God’s Army.   

The Day of the Lord is Coming 

I love the way that God can speak of today in the same moment He speaks of tomorrow.  For He is outside of time and space.  Yet, He fulfills all of His prophecies as they are then and again as they are yet to come. 

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near! 
It will come as destruction from the Almighty. 
7 Therefore all hands will fall limp, 
And every human heart will melt. 
8 They will be terrified, 
Pains and anguish will take hold of them; 
They will writhe like a woman in labor, 
They will look at one another in astonishment, 
Their faces aflame.  Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

In the Day of the Lord when judgement comes upon all the evil of this world.  But why do I think pride is a part of sin itself? 

Well let’s look at some of the Kings of Judah. 

Pride that comes before a fall—King Uzziah 

Throughout the recorded history of the Kings, we saw evil kings over Israel (some worse than others) while some good and some bad in Judah.  One that was good, turned upside down was King Uzziah. 

  3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecholiah of Jerusalem. 4 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.  2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV) 

He won great battles against the Philistines.  But then what happened? 

16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”  2 Chronicles 26 

When Pride Steps In and the Sovereignty of God is questioned 

19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him. 

21 King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. 2 Chronicles 26 (NKJV) 

One example of why not to become proud.  After all, God is all powerful and He is about the work of transforming me into the image of Christ.  So, whatever it takes, He will do.   

King Ahaz and God’s Plan 

So you can read in 2 Chronicles 28 about King Ahaz, who was so bad God sent Syria to shake him up a bit as they took many captives.  To make it worse, then Israel fought against Judah and took many captives.  This demonstrates the ultimate in pride that could not be broken as we see what King Ahaz does.  God did intervene and have Israel return their captives. 

9 But a prophet of the Lord was there, whose name was Oded; and he went out before the army that came to Samaria, and said to them: “Look, because the Lord God of your fathers was angry with Judah, He has delivered them into your hand; but you have killed them in a rage that reaches up to heaven. 10 And now you propose to force the children of Judah and Jerusalem to be your male and female slaves; but are you not also guilty before the Lord your God? 11 Now hear me, therefore, and return the captives, whom you have taken captive from your brethren, for the fierce wrath of the Lord is upon you.” 2 Chronicles 28 (NKJV) 

Despite seeing God’s intervening in every case, King Ahaz doubled down on being evil.  Indeed, he determined to worship the gods of Syria, believing they had given the Syrians strength.  He never recognizes the hand of God in it all.  He even closed the doors on the house of the Lord, took many of its articles and built altars to false gods.   

When the Sovereignty of God Almighty Puts an End to Pride 

God has spoken concerning the Day of the Lord 

 So I will punish the world for its evil 
And the wicked for their wrongdoing; 
I will also put an end to the audacity of the proud 
And humiliate the arrogance of the tyrants. Isaiah 13 (NASB) 

God speaks of the coming destruction of Babylon.  There was a former overthrow of Babylon as well we know, but there is one to come with final destruction. 

And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, 
Will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 
20 It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; 
Nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, 
Nor will shepherds allow their flocks to lie down there.  Isaiah 13 (NASB)  

The Sovereignty of God Almighty Keeps His Covenants always 

For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land. The strangers will be joined with them, and they will cling to the house of Jacob. 2 Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the Lord; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

He now goes back to the DAY of the Lord which is to come and says the King of Babylon will be destroyed.   

3 It shall come to pass in the day the Lord gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve, 4 that you will take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say: 

“How the oppressor has ceased, 
The golden[a] city ceased! 
5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, 
The scepter of the rulers; 
6 He who struck the people in wrath with a continual stroke, 
He who ruled the nations in anger, 
Is persecuted and no one hinders. 
7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; 
They break forth into singing.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

But then we are told, who is the true King of the Spirit of Babylon that invades us even today. 

PRIDE

12 “How you are fallen from heaven, 
O Lucifer, son of the morning! 
How you are cut down to the ground, 
You who weakened the nations! 
13 For you have said in your heart: 
‘I will ascend into heaven, 
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; 
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation 
On the farthest sides of the north; 
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, 
I will be like the Most High.’ 
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, 
To the lowest depths of the Pit.  Isaiah 14 (NKJV) 

So, what was the thing that led Satan to rebel? Pride! And what is the Spirit of Babylon even today?  The Pride of humanity believing they have a better answer for life than God does.  So let us pray for God to reveal in our hearts the threads of pride we may or may not be aware of so we might always point the world to Jesus Christ, our only hope and our salvation.  And let us always trust in the Sovereignty of God Almighty to lead us along the paths of life.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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Will We Ever See True Justice and What Will That Look Like? 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com
 

Will We Ever See True Justice and What Will That Look Like? 

8 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! 
For what good is the day of the Lord to you? 
It will be darkness, and not light. 
19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion, 
And a bear met him! 
Or as though he went into the house, 
Leaned his hand on the wall, 
And a serpent bit him! 
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light? 
Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it? Amos 5 (NKJV) 

As I read these verses found in this week’s reading, I paused to consider my heart.  Oh, I long for the rapture, desiring to go home.  So many sorrows and trials here on this earth.  Yet, consider this.  When the rapture comes, what of all those who are left behind?  Yes, we long for true justice and righteousness to reign.  But do we remember that judgement will fall upon all the earth.  Calamity such as never known before. 

While we long for Christ’s return, we must be ever diligent to proclaim his name to all we meet along this path.  Should there not be a heaviness of heart for those whom we know that do not know him?  Or a broken heart for all those drowning in their anti God ideologies. True Justice can only occur through judgement.   And true justice should demand my penalty as well were it not for the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ who paid my penalty.   

9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare.  2 Peter 3 (NET) 

True Justice Will Come 

This was the message of Amos to the northern tribes of Israel as well as the message Isaiah and Micah brought to primarily Judah.  Amos began his ministry a little earlier than Isaiah.  Isaiah and Micah were prophets during the same period, albeit Micah’s ministry was for a brief period compared to Isaiah.  They all served during the days leading up to the Assyrian invasion of Israel and the Babylonian invasion that overtook the empire of Assyria and all engulfed all of Judah.   

These prophets were tasked with an impossible mission. They were to awaken the people to what true justice would look like. We have the same edit to awaken the people to the truth: true justice will come. They pleaded with the people to listen and to take heed to what true justice would look like.  They were guiltier than those surrounding them, if that were possible because they had been given so much grace through the years   Yet, instead of seeing that grace as an undeserved gift from God, they rather saw it as if they were entitled to it.   

Entitlement syndrome is always a sin and leads to destruction.  We see it all too prevalent in our modern society and in our children.  Yet it was there from the beginning when Eve saw the fruit and thought she deserved it.  Or when Cain killed his brother in a jealous rage because he thought himself entitled to worship God his way and not God’s way.   

The United States having been given so much also, owes its allegiance to God for all He has bountifully given of grace.

True Justice Will Come- Woe to those who Disregard God’s Grace 

This is the message of these three prophets. 

The Lord God has sworn by Himself, 
The Lord God of hosts says: 
“I abhor the pride of Jacob, 
And hate his palaces; 
Therefore I will deliver up the city 
And all that is in it.”  Amos 6 (NKJV) 

And Isaiah? 

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! 
For the Lord has spoken: 
“I have nourished and brought up children, 
And they have rebelled against Me; 
3 The ox knows its owner 
And the donkey its master’s crib; 
But Israel does not know, 
My people do not consider.” 

4 Alas, sinful nation, 
A people laden with iniquity, 
A brood of evildoers, 
Children who are corrupters! 
They have forsaken the Lord, 
They have provoked to anger 
The Holy One of Israel, 
They have turned away backward. Isaiah 1 (NKJV) 

Echoed by Micah 

2 Hear, all you peoples! 
Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! 
Let the Lord God be a witness against you, 
The Lord from His holy temple. 

3 For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place; 
He will come down 
And tread on the high places of the earth. 
4 The mountains will melt under Him, 
And the valleys will split 
Like wax before the fire, 
Like waters poured down a steep place. 
5 All this is for the transgression of Jacob 
And for the sins of the house of Israel.  Micah 1 (NKJV) 

Because God is perfect righteousness, then He must one day judge.  Yet, in His Sovereignty, He provided an escape for all who would believe.  That escape also involved, saving a remnant of the Jewish Nation always to bring about the birth of His Son so He could provide the atonement for our sins. This is also foretold by these prophets. 

Grace for all Who Accept God’s Gift When True Justice comes 

There is a day coming when True Justice will Reign.  On that day, all the nations and leaders who denied God’s rule will be swallowed up just as foretold by Obadiah.  

15 “For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; 
As you have done, it shall be done to you; 
Your reprisal shall return upon your own head. 
16 For as you drank on My holy mountain, 
So shall all the nations drink continually; 
Yes, they shall drink, and swallow, 
And they shall be as though they had never been.  Obadiah 1 (NKJV) 

The years of the tribulation are to complete God’s cleansing work among the Jewish nation.  Out of it will come a multitude of believers known as the martyrs.  They will be just as He foretold in Daniel and Revelation as well as the many prophets.   

4 I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; 
They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; 
And) They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; 
They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 
15 I will plant them in their land, 
And no longer shall they be pulled up 
From the land I have given them,” 
Says the Lord your God.  Amos 9 (NKJV) 

One day, when Jesus Reigns on earth. 

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days 
That the mountain of the Lord’s house 
Shall be established on the top of the mountains, 
And shall be exalted above the hills; 
And all nations shall flow to it. 
3 Many people shall come and say, 
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, 
To the house of the God of Jacob; 
He will teach us His ways, 
And we shall walk in His paths.” 
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, 
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 
4 He shall judge between the nations, 
And rebuke many people; 
They shall beat their swords into plowshares, 
And their spears into pruning hooks; 
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 
Neither shall they learn war anymore.  Isaiah 2 

Micah mimics also speaks these words in chapter 4 plus these: 

6“In that day,” says the Lord, 
“I will assemble the lame, 
I will gather the outcast 
And those whom I have afflicted; 
7 I will make the lame a remnant, 
And the outcast a strong nation; 
So the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion 
From now on, even forever.  Micah 4 (NKJV)  

But How Can That Be?  Do we not all deserve wrath when true justice reigns?  

This is the truth that is evident in all the messages of the prophets.  Yet all point toward a Savior as has all scripture throughout the Bible.  Such a perfect picture of Christ told through all the ages of the scriptures, pointing us to the veracity of it all.  Amos foretold of the Lion of Judah. 

If an alarm sounds in a city, do people not fear? 
If disaster overtakes a city, is the Lord not responsible? 
7 Certainly the Sovereign Lord does nothing without first revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. 
8 A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? 
The Sovereign Lord has spoken. Who can refuse to prophesy? Amos 3(NKJV)  

Amos also spoke of the Gentiles who would be saved.   

11 “On that day I will raise up 
The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, 
And repair its damages; 
I will raise up its ruins, 
And rebuild it as in the days of old; 
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom 
And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” 
Says the Lord who does this thing.  Amos 9 (NKJV) 

Isaiah spoke often of Jesus 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; 
The whole earth is full of His glory!”  Isaiah 6 (NKJV) 

Whenever a prophet saw the Lord, it was the pre-incarnate Jesus as we learned from Moses, no one could see the face of God and live.  Only Moses saw His afterglow.   

13 Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel Isaiah 7 (NKJV) 

Furthermore, Isaiah spoke of Jesus 

For unto us a Child is born, 
Unto us a Son is given; 
And the government will be upon His shoulder. 
And His name will be called 
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, 
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
7 Of the increase of His government and peace 
There will be no end, 
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, 
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice 
From that time forward, even forever. 
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9 (NKJV) 

Micah also Wrote of Jesus 

Beyond writing a lot about Jesus’ future reign as Lord, Micah also foretold of his birth.   

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me 
The One to be Ruler in Israel, 
Whose goings forth are from of old, 
From everlasting.”  Micah 5 (NKJV) 

But until true justice reigns, what can we expect. 

Just as we were told, the days will wax worse and worse.   

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, 
“That I will send a famine on the land, 
Not a famine of bread, 
Nor a thirst for water, 
But of hearing the words of the Lord. 
12 They shall wander from sea to sea, 
And from north to east; 
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, 
But shall not find it.  Amos 8 

Why? Because that is what broken people in a broken world do when given choice.  

You have turned justice into a poisonous plant, 
and the fruit of righteous actions into a bitter plant.  Amos 6 (NKJV) 

Yet there is no excuse for humanities choices 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

His righteousness has been known since creation 

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.   Romans 1 (NKJV) 

This is true of every individual.   

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1 (NKJV) 

Thereby worshiping the creature rather than the creator.  

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

In other words, he allowed them to chase after whatever pursuits and this led to humanity chasing after new and different pleasures.  This is no different than in the days of Noah or Sodom and Gomorrah.  Unbridled passions seeking to find pleasure however it could be found. Although never finding and never being satisfied.  Therefore, when left unchecked, no true justice is found in the hearts of humanity. 

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  Romans 1 (NKJV) 

Could there have been true justice without choice? 

Then we would be puppets and marionettes if there were no choice.  Or perhaps like the angels, there is no idea of grace.  They either fell with Satan, or they remained true to God.  No chance of salvation by grace.  But we are given the hope of repentance and salvation from the doom that true justice would bring.  We can recognize our sinful state, believe the truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that when we turn to Him in humility, repentant of our sin we can be saved.  We can be accounted as righteous because of His righteousness.   

With what shall I come before the Lord, 
And bow myself before the High God? 
Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, 
With calves a year old? 
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, 
Ten thousand rivers of oil? 
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, 
The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 

8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; 
And what does the Lord require of you 
But to do justly, 
To love mercy, 
And to walk humbly with your God?  Micah 6 (NKJV) 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

How to Await the Final Judgement of God with Joy not Fear 

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2024

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Picture licensed from Goodsalt.com