PRAYER - "Presumption Sabotages Prayer"

The LORD rebuked His people for presumptuous praying. "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, ...Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, ...they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God." Sin and hypocrisy sabotage prayer. Repent first!

Isaiah 58:9 - "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity."

PRINCIPALS - "They Who Publish Good Tidings Of Peace"

It is easy to become obsessed with life's oppressions and oppressors. The Bible writers certainly documented Israel's many hardships at the hands of their enemies. But God requires us to consider the day when all oppressors will cease, and His name is no longer blasphemed. He commends anyone who will publish the good news of His coming kingdom. I volunteer for that task.

Isaiah 52:7 - "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"

PRINCIPLES - "God Will Turn His Fury From Israel To Their Enemies"

So often in scriptures we find God speaking comforting words to His people. He pleaded with them as "my people," and "my nation," and reminded them that heaven and earth, and all things evil, will pass away. He promised to afflict their enemies as harshly as their enemies afflicted them. Only He would be their everlasting salvation.

Isaiah 51:22-23 - "I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee."

PROPHECIES - "The Rereward - God's "Rear Guard""

Isaiah 58 decrees blessings upon those who do the will of God. "Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward." The archaic word "rereward" simply means "rear guard." So the prophecy says that when you are led by righteousness, God will both go ahead of you, and follow behind you. He will protect you from the front and from behind. You might also interpret that as meaning that God will protect you from your past.

Isaiah 52:12 - "The LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward." EMAIL ID- jamartin25@gmail.com