“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Ob. 1:15”

#  02 2026 Dev. Isa.34:8. God has a day! Read all of chapter thirty-four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 34:8 “For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.”

Isa. 34 calls everyone to attention; “Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples!” Only Edom is mentioned, raising the issue of Jacob and Esau but also Cain and Abel and ultimately the son of Mary (Jesus) and Satan.

Vs.1-7 We are still at the time of the Assyrian invasion into the Middle East. “The Lord is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies.” There is a reckoning at Isaiah’s time, and a reckoning by God is still going on to this day, culminating on the Great Day of the Lord at the end of time!  

V.8 “For the Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause.” God protects His people, His Church!

Vs.9-13 “Edom’s streams will be turned into pitch… her land will become blazing pitch! It will not be quenched night or day; its smoke will rise forever.”This is a description of Gehenna, a descriptive word for Hell. Hell, that is a real place and lives in those who have allowed Satan into their lives now.  “Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds.” God’s justice is final!

Vs,14-17 “Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also lie down and find for themselves places of rest.” God will take care of His Creation.

v.16 “ Look in the scroll of the Lord and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and His Spirit will gather them together.” God also takes care of His people, thanks be to God!

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Jesus: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12”

# 52 ,2025 Dev.Isa.33:2. The Lord, Our Salvation! Read all of chapter thirty-three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 33:2 “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you.
Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”

Isa.33 This chapter relates what the previous chapters are about, the distress of Judah and Jerusalem by Sennacherib’s invasion and their deliverance out of that distress by the destruction of the Assyrian army.

Vs.1-4 “Woe to you, destroyer… Woe to you, betrayer…you will be destroyed…you will be betrayed. They were set to destroy the people of God. They had violated the treaty. The Lord is gracious to us, the Lord is our salvation. This is true even today; the Lord is our only salvation!

Vs.5-9 “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.” That is that we need, Isaiah, gives us the foundation for a Jewish life and a Christian life: “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.” The land is laid waste. But God will rise up

Vs.10-24 “Now will I arise,” says the Lord. “Now will I be exalted;
 now will I be lifted up.” Who among us can stand a consuming fire or can stand everlasting burning?  No one, this is how we may avoid  a useless life: “Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil—they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. Their bread will be supplied, and water will not fail them.”We do not do these things because we are trying to be saved, no, we do them because we are already saved in Christ Jesus. Praise Him! Blessed New Year!

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“Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. Rev.15:4.”

# 51 2025 Dev. Lev.19-20 God is Holy! Read all of chapters nineteen and twenty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Lev.19:1 “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

Leviticus.19-20 Are about “Various Laws” and “Punishment for Sin”.

Ch.19:3 Sets the tone for this chapter; “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” This is what follows; “Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the Lord your God.” We cover only what was not covered before. Leave the edges of your field and the grapes missed for the poor. Do not steal, or lie, or deceive others, or swear falsely, or defraud your neighbor. Pay on time and preserve justice, respect and help the handicap, do not hate, or seek revenge or bear a grudge, “but love your neighbor as yourself.” All these precepts above are required today.

But some rules don’t apply; like the restriction on planting a tree; do not pick the fruit for three years, and the fourth year you give as an offering to God. The fifth year the planter is allowed to eat the fruit. Or the rules about grooming, cutting and tattooing. But the rules of honest weight and measures, definitely apply, the fraud and the dishonesty today are at a scale unimaginable! Will there be accountability? I hope so, but we do well to start with ourselves. 

Lev.20:1-5 The first five verses are about sacrificing children to Molek, we can’t imagine such a thing, apparently it was a widespread practice. Children are not sacrificed in that sense today, but they are being sacrificed in another sense. Exploitation on line by big tec., there are no guard rails, congress refuses to pass a bill to protect children, they are collecting from the lobbyists and parents aren’t paying attention. Something like six hundred thousand migrant children are lost, the government is not paying attention.  “Consecrate yourself and be holy…” The sexual sins described here carry the death sentence. Our societies have cavalier attitudes about sexual issues and gender issues today, which have polluted the land. But there is hope in repentance.“Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fails. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23” Thank God!

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Jn.14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

#  50 2025 Dev.Isa.32:17 God’s Peace! Read all of chapter thirty-two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 32:17 “The fruit of that (God’s) righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.”

Isa.32 is a switch from Sennacherib’s pending attack to; “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice.” Perhaps this is a flash back to better times or better times ahead, when kings followed the Lord in obedience of His decrees and exemplified His righteousness.

Vs.1-8 “The Kingdom of Righteousness. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,and the earsof those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. No longer will the foolbe called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.” This, elevating of evil, seems to be an age-old problem. Why do some people and some leaders want to protect criminals roaming our streets? So many crimes have been committed and people have been killed! People, if one of your children is killed or your wife is raped, will you then wake up? It does not appear that is the case, that means that some of our leaders do not take care for those Americans who pay their salaries!

Vs.9-20 “The Women of Jerusalem…You women who are so complacent, rise up and listento me; you daughters who feel secure, hear what I have to say!” God, through the prophet, calls the wives and daughters to attention. It appears that even in those day the women had a lot of influence. “Tremble, you complacent women; shudder, you daughters who feel secure! Strip off your fine clothes and wrap yourselves in rags. Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vines and for the land of my people, a land overgrown with thorns and briers—yes, mourn for all houses of merriment and for this city of revelry.” That will be the situation, until, “till the Spirit is poured on us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest. The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness (will) live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;” So it is today, we can’t change our lives, our situations, without the Spirit of Almighty God! Seek the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, in God’s Word, in your prayers and in your fellow Christians! This is the result; “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Though hail flattens the forest and the city is leveled completely, how blessed you will be.” Blessings here on earth and everlasting blessings above. Praise the Lord!

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“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Pe.2:24”

# 49 2025 Dev. Lev.16: The Day of Atonement!  Read all of chapters sixteen, seventeen and eighteen. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Leviticus. These 3 chapters are about the Day of Atonement, the restrictions on eating blood and on illicit sexual relations.

Ch.17 The restriction of eating blood, “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.Therefore, I say to the Israelites, ‘none of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”’ No longer will you slaughter an animal in the field but you must present it to the Lord through the Priests.

Lev.16:2 “The Lord said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die.’” He was to come into the Holy of Holies only once a year in the 7^th month and on the 10^th day of the month. It was an elaborate ceremony. Fist he must sacrifice a bull as a sin offering and a goat as a burnt offering for himself and his family. He must get two goats from the community, chosen by two lots.  “…one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat.” Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. The other goat is the scape goat. He makes atonement by carrying the sins of the community into the wilderness where he is released. Aaron must also make atonement for the inner-sanctuary, the outer-sanctuary and the alter of burnt offerings outside by sprinkling blood of the two sacrifices seven times in all three places. Only the high priest officiates, he must wear the sacred garments on any day but on the day of atonement he would change into the linen garment before going into the Holy of Holies.

Ch.18 Sexual Relations. The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.” Most of these restrictions, we as Christians practice today. Read vs. 6-23. Some Christians however do not adhere to v.22 “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable”. This is unfortunate, like it was in Egypt and in Canaan at that time so it is in the world today. God is clear here; the practices of the world are detestable in His sight. The world must not change us, we must change the world.  

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Php: 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

# 48 2025 Dev.Isa.31:5 The promises of God! Read all of chapter thirty one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 31:5 “Like birds hovering overhead, the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem he will shield it and deliver it, he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”

Isa.31: Is a continuation of Isa.29. Sannacherib’s siege of Jerusalem is imminent, but the leaders are not listening to the prophets of God. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots…but do not look to the Holy One of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.” Also, today we look everywhere for help, alas, but our help begins with the Lord our God!

Vs.1-3 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt… But the Egyptians  are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit.” The wicked and those who help the wicked will fall together.

Vs.4-5 God here is depicted as “a great lion”, nothing will deter him. Further, God promises to “shield Jerusalem… and deliver it…and to rescue it.” Those promises are for us as well, the church, God’s people, the new Israel.

Vs.6-7 “Return, you Israelites, to the One you have so greatly revolted against. For in that day every one of you will reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made.” God calls all of us to return to Him with all our hearts, souls and minds.

Vs.8-9 “Assyria will fall by no human sword; a sword, not of mortals, will devour them.” God Himself will rout the Assyrian army surrounding Jerusalem. “Their strong hold will fall because of terror; at the sight of the battle standard their commanders will panic, declares the Lord whose fire is in Zion”. God’s promises are sure, not only did God drive them away from Jerusalem, this event  ended their world domination. While we enjoy Thanksgiving, may God pour His promises on His people in Nigeria. What are those promises?

Eternal life, salvation, forgiveness of sins, guidance of the Holy Spirit, God is with us, answers prayers, he knows our needs, gives us peace, all things work for good to those who love God and He is faithful.  Amen!

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“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight…” Ephesians 1:4

# 47 2025 Dev. Lev. 11-12-13-14-15 “Be Holy as I am Holy!” Read all of chapters eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Leviticus. These five chapters follow the death of two of Aaron’s sons who offered unauthorized fire. Was the punishment because they did not offer a sacrifice, or that the young priests had been drinking wine or other fermented drink, making them unclean? These five chapters are set between the death of Nadab and Abihu and Ch.16, the Day of Atonement; when the High Priest goes into the Holy of Holies, once a year, to sprinkle blood from the sacrifice for the sins  of the people.

Lev. Ch.11. These rules and regulations are given only to the Israelites and only for a specific time. Yet, they foreshadow the New Covenant in Jesus. Throughout, Moses is the go between God and Aaron and his sons, making Moses a type of Christ. They may only consume and sacrifice animals that chew the cud and have cloven hooves, only fish with fins and scales, only bugs that hop, and no birds of prey.

Lev. Ch.12. Rules for childbirth. “She will be ceremonially unclean for seven days with the birth of a son… On the eight day the boy is to be circumcised.”Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. For the birth of a girl, the ceremonially unclean time is doubled. But for both she must make a sacrifice.

Lev. Ch.13. Regulations about defiling skin diseases. Vs.1-46 Describe a variety of skin diseases. Anyone that is diagnosed by the priest to be permanently ill is isolated from society. “Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their faceand cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean! ’As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.” Thank God for modern medications today! Vs 47-59. “These are the regulations concerning defiling molds in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.”

Lev.Ch.14. Cleansing from defiling skin diseases. The possibility for healing is accounted for.  Also, cleansing from defiling molds. We thank God for modern methods concerning mold and medication for skin issues.

Lev.Ch.15. Discharges causing uncleanness. When any man has an unusual bodily discharge, such a discharge is unclean.” Where ever he sits or lays on becomes unclean…Whoever touches the man will be unclean.” Whenever a woman has a discharge other than her time of the month the same rules apply. “These are the regulations for a man with a discharge for anyone made unclean by an emission of semen, for a woman in her monthly period, for a man or a woman with a discharge, and for a man who has sexual relations with a woman both are ceremonially unclean.” Jesus dealt differently with the woman with a discharge who touched Him: “Daughter… ‘Go in peace; your faith has healed you.’” Praise the Lord!

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Romans 8:26  “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

# 46 2025 Dev.Isa.30:5b. God Answers Prayer! Read all of chapter thirty first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 30:19 “People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answeryou.”

Isa.30: Is a continuation of Isa 29. Sannacherib’s siege of Jerusalem is imminent. But the leaders are not listening to the prophets of God. Next is the result of that rejection which is followed by God’s grace.

Vs.1-11 “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord…” They are following their own plans, they are looking to Egypt for help. God warns them that “…Pharaoh’s protection will be to your shame,
Egypt’s shade will bring you disgrace.” This sounds like today; “Tell us pleasant things…Leave this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy one of Israel.” Some churches and Christians do not listen to the truth of God’s Word!

Vs.12-17 “Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: because you have rejected this message…  oppression and deceit… is like a wall… that collapses” V.15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘n repentance and restis your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”‘ So many people today are searching for peace but no one has told them how to attain salvation.

Vs.18-26 “Yet the Lord longsto be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts. “Seek the Lord while he is near”! 

Vs. 27-33 “The voice of the Lord will shatter Assyria; with his rod he will strike them down…with burning anger…his tongue is consuming fire.” God is in control, Jerusalem, “you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival;your hearts will rejoice…”

 Vs.33 “Topheth has long been prepared it has been made ready for the king.” Topheth, was a place for child sacrifices to pagan gods like Molech. Later the valley was called Gehenna, compared with hell. Hell is a real place and there is only one way to avoid it, put your trust in Jesus, follow His example and He will write your name in the Book of Life! Thanks be to God!

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