Isaiah 8:1-10
Reflect
Some years ago, while on a trip through California’s Death Valley we came upon a very strange sight. Out in the middle of this hot, dry, desolate place was a man wearing a lifejacket. We had to stop. First, to take a picture and second, to ask why he was wearing a lifejacket in the middle of a desert. He graciously allowed us to take his picture and explained that his wife, who was not accompanying him, was concerned for his safety due to the potential for flash floods that can sweep through an area from rainstorms many miles away. Thus, in order to assuage his wife’s legitimate concerns, this desert traveler agreed to take with him a lifejacket.
Apply
In our passage, Isaiah’s son was named Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz which means “Swift to the spoil, quick to the plunder”. What God was communicating through Isaiah was this: those who are oppressing you now will be swept away like a flood that occurs quickly and can come out of seemingly nowhere. God has been and will always be our protector and our deliverer, and far better than any lifejacket we might carry with us. Verse 10 is a great comfort in the face of opposition, “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.”
Pastor Mike
Pray
- Pray for our Church Board members: Barbara Whidden, Bee Stiansen, Cam Klapstein, Darryl Sparling, Gerhard Hiob, Julie Leverette, Matt Barker, Matt Chute, Nick Mitchell, Seth Jansen, and Tyler Elmgren.
- Pray for our office staff: Robin Radke, Jane Hao, Naomi Voss; Bookkeeper Lynette Carlson.
- Pray for our Senior Lead Team Pastor, Lyle Buyer, his family and his ministry.