Daily Wisdom

 "A false balance (scale) is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight." Pro 11:1 (Pro 20:10; Hos 12:7)

Better a poor man who walks in virtue than a rich man whose integrity is out of balance. A man's life begins to end the day his virtue (desiring what's right) stops being of value to him. Integrity is priceless and not easily obtained unless greatly desired!

Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don't expect it from cheap people or things.

HSAY... Todd

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isa 43:1b)

God created you to be beautiful on the inside not just to look good on the outside. Be patient, every day may not be a good day, but there's good in every day because God’s at work in you.

HE changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and coal into diamonds using time and pressure. He’s working to make you beautiful as well.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

We can never avoid strife in the world around us, but we can avoid stress when we fix our thoughts on God, we can know perfect peace even in turmoil.

We’re promised a new song, a psalm declaring our strength is secure in our salvation and is appointed by God for our walls and army (vs 1).

In this I find perfect peace through a Heavenly mindset (Col 3:2 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”) that provides a steady and stable spirit amongst life’s turmoil.

This is further promised by God’s unchanging love and provisional power, so I’m not shaken by the surrounding chaos (Phl 4:7 “And the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”)

My strength and peace will only be as secure as the foundation on which I lay it.

Not in the creation, nor in any created enjoyment, nor in riches, nor self-righteousness, nor in the depths of my heart or any carnal privileges.

But, only in the Creator Himself as exhorted in (vs 4) “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

Peace does not promise freedom from the storm but promises peace amid the storm.

No Jesus, no peace; Know Jesus, know peace!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 25:11a-12 “… and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. And the fortress of the high fort they walls shall he bring to the ground, even to dust.”

Since the tower of Babel man has continued to try and build-up that around them bigger than God; including themselves.

But, (vs 7-8) tells us the Lord will remove the oppression and darkness of pride from man’s face and swallow up death in victory and wipe away the tears from all faces.

When the Lord speaks, he does what he says. It is comforting to know that God's plans and activities are directly tied to his word.

Thus, when we pray in humility according to His Word/will and claim His promises, he hears our requests.

We can see Paul proclaim this promise as he quotes part of Isaiah’s prophecy in (1 Cor 15:54) “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Another part of this verse is quoted by John in (Rev 21:4) “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death…”

God's ultimate victory is seen when death, our ultimate enemy, is defeated (Hos 13:14) “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death…”

Cautious, no matter what heights you reach if its platform is pride the fall that’s coming is a fact. (Pro 16:18)

Humility is not cowardice, meekness is not weakness. Rather they are foundations on which God lays His promises.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 42:6 “I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations.”

These verses are quoted in (Mt 12:18-21) referencing our serving Savior, Christ!

And like Jesus, we too are called to righteousness in Him (2 Cor 5:21).

Revealing a character of gentleness, encouragement, justice, and truth.

When you feel broken and bruised or burned out in your spiritual life, God won't step on you (vss 3 “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench”) or toss you aside (vs 4 “He will not grow faint or be discouraged”) as useless, but will gently pick you up.

God's loving attributes are desperately needed in the world today. Through God's Spirit, we can show such compassion and light to those around us, reflecting God's goodness and hope to them.

Point being: I can only be a light of righteousness if my switch is turned.

This requires me to take off my own worldly garments before I can put on Christ’s robe of righteousness.

In doing so, I can fulfill God’s purpose (vs 7 “to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”) … (Acts 26:18)

Two ways of spreading light: be the candle or a mirror that reflects it.

Darkness can only exist when there is an absence of light (Jn 1:5).     

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 40:12 “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?” 

What imagery… that all of creation, from me to the vastness of the heavens and everything in between, can fit into the hollow of God’s hand.

Ch. 40 of Isaiah describes God’s power to create, His provision to sustain, and His presence to help.

The Lord is encouraging His children that even though they were in captivity in Babylon, know that Babylon is likewise still in the hollow of His hand.

And thus promises “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and carry them in his bosom…” (vs 11)

Showing me that nothing can be likened to Him (vs 25), yet I can quickly limit my understanding of His glory and might when I compare Him to what I experience on earth.

Point being: I must not define God through my life, but rather define my life through God.

More imagery… He challenges us concerning who can view this celestial globe and the heavens and not be astonished by its vastness. And (vs 12) says the Lord meted (measured) heaven with the just the breadth of His hand.

We must not be foolish and self-discouraging to equate God’s sufficient ability to provide for our needs by measuring the size of our burden before us to our immeasurable God! (Eph 3:17-20)

The cross shows the serious of my sin, but it also shows me the immeasurable love of God.

Don’t limit what is limitless by doubt!

HSAY… Todd   

Daily Wisdom

Isa 39:8 “Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.”

It is just with God to take that from us which we make the matter of our pride, and on which we build a carnal confidence.

Consider David’s pride in numbering his people, God took a course to make them fewer.

Now we see Hezekiah boasts of his treasures, and looks upon them with too great a complacency, he is told that he acts like the foolish traveler who shows his money and gold to one that proves a thief.

If we could but see things that will be, we should be ashamed of our thoughts of things that are.

If Hezekiah had known the successors of Babylon would hereafter be the ruin of his family and kingdom, he would not have been as boastful and complacent with God’s faithfulness.

We cannot certainly foresee what will be, but are told, “All is vanity” (Ecc 1:2), and therefore it is foolish vanity for us to take complacency and confidence/pride were humility should be.

Such confidence/pride in one’s life is prone to lead them into alliance with equal character.

Hezekiah thought himself to be very happy in his friendship with Babylon, though it was the mother of harlots and idolatry. 

And what started off as good courtship brought about the fall of Jerusalem… (1 Cor 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” NASB)

Point being: Hezekiah got a what he wanted, but what he got wasn’t worth having!

Hezekiah came to know God’s blessings and deliverance for his family and kingdom would end with him (vs 8).

Why, he left his humility and, in his confidence/pride walked out of God’s will into folly and vanity?

Be careful with choices that change God’s course, it can also change your source for confidence

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 38:1 “… Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die and not live.”

Do we truly want what God wants?

Interesting that Kind Hezekiah was more interested in the Lord’s temporal deliverance than he was His eternal deliverance.

Hezekiah just spent Ch. 37 praying for his kingdom and its deliverance from Assyria.

Which God faithfully delivered by defeating the Assyrians with His own hand.

Yet, when the Lord sent His message through Isaiah for Hezekiah to prepare his home, that the Lord was calling him home eternally Hezekiah wanted nothing to do with that deliverance.

One must be cautious in seeking their will over the Lord’s.

Point being: Hezekiah got what he asked for, but not what he wanted!

Meaning the kingdom, he once prayed for God’s protection over, ended with a leader who did more damage than an army could.

Hezekiah’s life turned to folly and foolishness with Babylon and he birthed the most wicked king Israel ever experienced in his own son Manasseh who ruined the nation (2 Kg 21).

Doing something for God (I have walked before thee in truth) does not entitle us to reimbursement from God (Lk 17:6-10).

Selfish giving always leads to selfish living, which is never a good thing (Pro 16:8)

Hezekiah wanted HIS will for his life more than he wanted God’s will, so God gave him what he wanted.

With selfishness, you’ll get what you want, but you won’t want what you get (II Sam 13:1-15).

Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 32:17  “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”

Those who see no value in virtue (righteousness), will find problems with peace.

Point being: God’s peace is the promise of all being right, not around you, but within you!

This is not accomplished by selfish works of righteousness done by men.  Though peace may be had and enjoyed in doing them, yet it does not arise and flow from their self-defined works.

Rather, it’s the righteousness of Christ dwelling in the hearts of man. Those who seek His virtuous traits of wanting what is right in all circumstances.

Don’t be lured by self-defined acts of doing good as works of righteousness in Christ.

Rom 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not meat and rink; but righteousness, and peace,; and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

The world is full of heathens who help, that does not define righteousness.

Man can’t buy true internal peace. Such efforts only offer moments of feeling right.

One can’t live in selfish sin, and purchase peace by self-defined works.

Internal and eternal peace comes by way of Christ righteousness, which is wanting what is right by the Lord’s will and not our own.

God never alters the robe of righteousness to fit the man. Rather He alters the man to fit the robe!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 28:16  “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”

We’re familiar with the lyrics of The Solid Rock “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,” 

The leadership (magistrates) of Jerusalem had become self-reliant and more so self-righteous in their efforts to lead and establish judgement and lulled themselves asleep in carnal security (vs 15).

Stating they had made a covenant not established upon the cornerstone God provided in Christ.

If I can’t stand firm in my faith, I won’t stand at all. (Isa 7:9)

God illustrates in (vs 20) “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.” Clarifying my personal resources are and will prove unreliable to shelter me.

Man’ effort of self-righteousness and self-reliance, will prove to be self-deceptive; one can never be at peace, safe and of comfort. The bed is too short, the covering is too narrow.

Like Adam and Eve’s fig leaves, the same of their nakedness will still appear.

Our faith does not make things easy, it makes them possible.

Resting assured that despite what is shifting around me, if I’m standing on “The Solid Rock” I’ll find peace, safety and comfort in my circumstances.

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 28:12 “… this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

Here is a gracious promise of God's favor to the remnant of his people.

The Israelite's were reproved and threatened for their dullness and stupidity, and inaptness to profit by the instructions which the prophets gave them in God's name (vss 9-13).

Likewise, I can mistake being delayed with being denied.

What God is using for my rest and refreshing I can mistake for denial and discouragement.

Just because everything except you is moving about does not mean you’ve been left behind.

God’s delay in my life might have protected me from something that lie ahead I couldn’t see or wasn’t profitable for me. Or it may be God resting and refreshing me for something glorious that lies ahead.

The response I take will have the greatest impact on God’s will working in my life.

If I remain patient rather than impetuous in God’s process my spirit finds His rest rather than restlessness (Isa 40:31).

Just because you find yourself delayed, don’t feel denied. Enjoy His rest knowing the Father is preparing and refreshing you for something glorious.

You may not get there when you want, but He’ll get you there when He needs you, and rested!

HSAY… Todd

Daily Wisdom

Isa 28:9 “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” 

One’s ability to learn and mature in the Lord has eternal effects while in the temporal.

The Lord’s purpose for me requires me to grow from infancy (temporal mindset) and strive for adulthood (eternal mindset), by offering an eternal motivation.

Mat 19:29 “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”

But, through this desired growth comes a sense of spiritual tension: we live in one place, but our true home is in another. Causing us to experience this in a couple of ways.

(1) The propensity to treat church like a bunker and try to escape the world.

(2). Looking forward to eternal life while embracing where God has placed us now.

Both can lead to avoiding our purpose in the Lord and the revealing of Himself through us.

This requires maturity to stay focused and endure the journey.

Jesus speaks of eternal reward with a rich young man (Mat 19) as well as His disciples.

The idea of seeking rewards of any sort might seem counterproductive to the Christian life. But, why would Jesus mention to the Disciples that they “will receive a hundredfold” if he didn’t want that to motivate them?

We should be aching for God’s promised eternal reward, but we should also be selfless like Jesus (Mk 10:45; 1 Jn 2:6).

Here’s the solution: our reward is God himself (Num 18:20).

Heaven in its glory and beauty, is where we will enjoy our eternal reward.

But whatever we desire now should be considered in light of our promised eternal reward, God himself.

View the present situation God’s put you in through the motivation of His eternal promises!

HSAY… Todd