#DailyDevotion Need a hiding place, a shelter, a cool stream or shade? Trust in Jesus.
December 16th
Read Is 32:1–20
Isa 32:1-8 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. (2) Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. (3) Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention. (4) The heart of the hasty will understand and know, and the tongue of the stammerers will hasten to speak distinctly. (5) The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. (6) For the fool speaks folly, and his heart is busy with iniquity, to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink. (7) As for the scoundrel—his devices are evil; he plans wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right. (8) But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.
We have a king now who reigns in righteousness. His name is Jesus. He reigns at the right hand of the Father. He is the one who rules in justice. On the day of trouble, whether it be afflictions of the flesh, the mind or the soul, Jesus is our hiding place. As Christians we are afflicted on every side directly and indirectly, because we cannot but look at our world and not be concerned for it and its inhabitants.
The storms of doubt and uncertainty will come upon us from those who are fools and ignoble. They try many crafty tricks to get you to doubt your faith and what the Scriptures say. But if you turn to Christ and his word, he will shelter you from their attacks. They think they are smart interpreting and reading the bible like a 2nd grader not recognizing modes of speech, literary genres and the like. But if you stick with Jesus, he will enlighten your soul to the truth.
As the trials and tribulations of this world and even your own flesh cause you to be weary, Jesus in his word will be to as a streams of refreshing water and the shade of the day. Do not wallow in your misery but turn to Christ Jesus and he will refresh your soul.
In the Word of God, your eyes will see, your ears will hear, you will understand and know when your trust is in Christ Jesus. For he gives you his Holy Spirit in the word so it may benefit you. And you having been edified by his word will be able stand against the fool of this world.
The fools of this world revel in their own intelligence, their own understanding which leaves them and all who listen to them thirsty, craving and unsatisfied. What they think, believe and teach others is like shifting sands with no foundation. They like to appear to be good but they will stab you in the back if it will benefit them. Ultimately they are utterly turned inwardly. Their end will be destruction.
Lord Jesus Christ, be the king and prince of our hearts that we may stand against all those to strive against us having you as our rock, shelter and hiding place, our stream and shade on the day of trouble. Amen.