Key Verse: Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
What an impressive and beautiful description of our Lord Jesus Christ!
1. Wonderful
Many people have yet to experience the wonders of Christ but once they have experienced it, they shall remember Him forever. Count the many wonderful works that God has done in your life: your salvation, health, family, career, ministry, friends, etc.
Psalms 107:8 “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!”
2. Counsellor
We may have many counselors in our lives but Jesus Christ should be our final and most reliable counselor in every decision that we make. No small decision is ever too small for Christ as even the biggest decision in our lives He can help us to decide.
1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
3. The mighty God
Christ is the mighty or powerful God in both heaven and earth and there is no other might or power beside Him.
Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
4. The everlasting Father
Thank God that Jesus Christ is our everlasting Father who is with us throughout the ages to come. Unlike our earthly father who is with us for a season, Jesus Christ is our everlasting Father who will help us in everything for all eternity.
Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
5. The Prince of Peace
In this world of war, conflicts and chaos, He is the Prince of Peace within our hearts and one day, He shall rule in His kingdom and we shall reign with Him in perfect peace.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Food for Thought
How can you be fearful of the future when you have such a great God!
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:50 pm
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Key Verse: Isaiah 8:3 “And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.”
God gave Isaiah a son to be named as Mahershalalhashbaz which means “hasten booty, speedy prey” or “God is against those who are against His people.” Indeed, Isaiah was greatly encouraged to see that Ahaz, King of Judah, did not have to fight against Syria and Israel as both were defeated by Assyria. It was not through the brilliant strategies of Ahaz but it was God who sent the Assyrians to defeat his enemies.
1. God shall fight for you
Isaiah 8:4 “For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.”
Both the riches and treasures of Damascus and Samaria, the capital cities of Syria and Israel respectively, were taken away by the Assyrians. It was a sad day for them as they realized that God was with Judah and He had allowed the Assyrians to defeat them.
Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
What a promise that God is for you! Imagine in any difficult situation or problem, you have God as your teammate!
2. You cannot fight against God
Isaiah 8:10 “Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.”
Do you realize that you are fighting against God when you try to take things into your own hands instead of praying and trusting God for His solutions?
Acts 5:39 “But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.”
3. Seek God
Isaiah 8:19 “And when they shall say into you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead.”
Have you come across people including Christians reading the horoscope or seeking fortune tellers concerning their future? There is no one except the true and living God who knows your future and everything about you!
Food for Thought
If you can trust God for eternity, can you not trust Him for the next meal.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:48 pm
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Key Verse: Isaiah 7:4 “And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.”
Are you fearful of life challenges or crises? Many of us seemingly go through crises as though we can handle them but deep in our hearts and minds, we are fearful of them. We are like ducks swimming in the pond, looking compose and calm, but underneath the water, their webbed feet are struggling against the currents as they move forward.
Ahaz, the king of Judah, was fearful of the impending crisis as his southern kingdom, entered into a civil war with the northern kingdom, Israel, who had alliance with Syria. But God encouraged Ahaz that He was with him as he went through the battle.
1. Take Heed
Be Careful of what we are doing whether be it our career, ministry, family and personal life. Do not let the devil takes potshots at you due to your carelessness. This is the reason why God commands his leaders to be blameless as they are examples to the Christians, the saints of God.
“A bishop then must be blameless, ...” 1 Timothy 3:2.
“… let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” I Timothy 3:10.
2. Be Quiet
Have you analyzed yourself when you are faced with fierce challenges or provocation? How do you react or response?
“For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” Isaiah 30:15.
Indeed, when you response with quietness and confidence in the midst of challenging situations, you shall have the strength of the Lord.
3. Fear Not
Do you panic and fear when face with crises? Do you flee and run away from crises or do you face them head on with the power and presence of God?
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9.
Thank God who is with you in time of crises and life challenges. God shall never forsake or leave you alone as He is our rock and refuge!
Food for Thought
Crises are opportunities for you to know that God is with you!
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:47 pm
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Key Verse: Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.”
1. Holiness Higher Than Life
V1 “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.”
King Uzziah was one of the holiest kings among the kings and the people throughout the Old Testament. God had used him greatly as he led the people in living holy lives in trusting and obeying God. After his death, God showed Isaiah that behind the earthly throne of King Uzziah was His heavenly throne, the King of all kings and the holy of holies.
Today, God is not looking for the longest living person, the healthiest, the smartest, the most intelligent, the most gifted, the most talented, the wealthiest, the most famous, the most handsome or the prettiest, but He is looking for a holy man or woman of God! All of us including great kings and leaders will die one day but what do we leave behind this earth?
2. Holiness Higher Than Talents
V5 “Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
The world values talents more than holiness as we often hear people talking about excellent performances, great speeches, fantastic music, exciting movies and impressive dramas but seldom do we hear people commenting on the holiness of God and the people.
However, God values our holiness more than our talents. This is the reason why seemingly excellent and famous people are perishing and going to hell because God requires holiness in His people in heaven. Unless the people confesses their sins, repents their wicked ways, believe in God and seek His holiness, God shall reject them.
The prophet Isaiah knew that he was unholy as he confessed his sins and let God cleansed him before making himself available to God.
3. Holiness Higher than Possessions
V11 “Then said I, Lord, How long? And He answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate.”
The world values possessions and material wealth but these things are transient and temporal. God shall judge the wickedness and evil of the world when the people’s possessions are completely wiped out either by recession or calamities or both. This is the time when the people will truly reflect upon the existence of God and life purpose and existence on earth and some will believe in God and trust in Him.
Food for Thought
You can lose your possessions, talents and life but do not lose your holiness in God.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:45 pm
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Key verse: Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
When you see the following 6 sins prevailing in today’s society, you know that Christ’s return is near:
1. Exploitation
V8 “Woe unto them that join house to house, that they lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!”
Are we seeing businessmen, traders, retailers exploiting their customers by increasing the prices of their products without regard to affordability?
2. Drunkenness
V11 “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”
Are we seeing more people becoming alcoholics? Are there more pubs and drinking places and more people suffering from liver cancer due to drunkenness?
3. Pride
V18 “Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, ...”
Are we seeing people proud of their evil ways? They blatantly cheat and lied and are proud of their sins and have no shame or conscience whatsoever?
4. Evil
V20 “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; ...”
Are we seeing people justifying their sins? It is no longer a sin to cheat and lie as long as you are not caught. It is no longer a sin to cohabit and not get married. It is no longer a sin to be a lesbian or a gay.
5. Self-centeredness
V21 “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, ...”
Are we seeing people caring only for themselves and have no concern of others even their own family members?
6. Injustice
V23 “Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!”
Are we seeing the wicked getting away from their crimes and the just are falsely accused?
Food for Thought
We are living in the last days and let us be ready for Christ’s return.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:27 pm
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Key verse: V2 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely (honouring) for them that are escaped (survivors) of Israel.”
This passage is the shortest chapter but it summarizes the book of Isaiah on prophecies or the events to come, namely, the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom.
1. The Great Tribulation
V1 “And in that day 7 women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach (shame).”
This verse speaks of the Great Tribulation, the period immediately after the rapture or Christ’s return when Christians shall be gathered into heaven with Christ. Those who are left behind are the unbelievers and many are women because most men have died in wars before the rapture. It will be a sad day for them as women outnumber the men and many women are willing to support themselves just to get married to take away their shame.
2. The Millennium Kingdom
V2-4 “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, ... When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, ...”
The Millennium Kingdom will come after the Great Tribulation and it shall be established in the new holy city of Jerusalem in Israel. During this period, the Devil is bound a thousand years and hence, there is peace on earth.
Revelation 20:2 “And he (the angel) laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,”
Presently, Israel is in turmoil and in constant danger of attacks by her neighbors. However, in the Millennium Kingdom, without the Devil’s wicked and evil influence, the world shall have peace and Israel shall be a glorious and holy city of God.
3. Glory Of Christ
V5-6 “And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, ... all the glory shall be a defence ... And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow ...”
The glory of Christ shall not only be upon His tabernacle but also upon every house in the Millennium Kingdom and we shall reign together with Christ. What a glorious Kingdom it shall be!
2 Timothy 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (Christ): ...”
Revelation 5:10 “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
Food for Thought
Are you Ready to Reign with Christ?
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:25 pm
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Key verse: V13 “The Lord standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.”
1. Food in Short Supply
V1 “For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay (supply) and the staff (support), the whole stay of bread, …”
In recent times, the world is facing shortages of rice, water and basic essentials and this is what was prophesied by prophet Isaiah thousands of years ago. Indeed, food and water are from God and let us not waste any of them but consume them for the glory of God.
2. Leaders in Short Supply
V2-3 “The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient (elder), the captain of fifty, and the honourable man, …”
There has been much publicity of leaders of today who lack integrity and moral standards. Many universities are now offering courses on integrity and character building in their curriculum to address this vital issue. Truly, godly leaders are few and far between.
3. Respect in Short Supply
V5 “… the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient (elder), and the base (despised) against the honourable.”
People have no respect for the elderly. They have no time for their elderly parents; not even a simple meal with them. Some even put their elderly parents in old folk homes. The lack of respect extends to them not offering their seats to the elderly on buses, MRTs, etc.
4. Peace in Short Supply
V15 “What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.”
Crimes, violence, robbery, thefts, sexual assaults, family violence, etc., are everywhere and on the rise. People are really living in fear and anxiety and praying for peace to prevail in society and even in their homes.
5. Spirituality in Short Supply
V18 “In that day the Lord will take away the bravery (finery) of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls (scarves), ...”
People are crowding shopping centers buying all kinds of beautiful merchandise they can afford. They are self indulgence and self centered and have no concern for the spiritual things of God.
Food for Thought
Keep a full supply of God when everything is in short supply.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:24 pm
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Key verse: V11 “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
Take a moment and truly and seriously reflect upon who or what you worship.
1. Man worships Materialism
V7 “Their land is also full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:”
In this 21st century and in the year 2008, the silver and gold are our big bank accounts; the treasures are our properties, bungalows, condominiums, stocks and shares; the horses are our Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mercedes, BMWs, Hondas, Toyotas; the chariots are the highly advanced and sophisticated military weapons. Now there is nothing wrong in our desires for materialism of wealth and possessions but when materialism takes the place of God, it becomes our idol or god.
2. Man worships Religion
V8 “Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:”
Man has created their own religions and man-made gods. They have worshipped them thinking that these idols or gods will help them in their quest and search for the meaning and purpose in life. However, the sad truth is that they are sincerely wrong in seeking religions apart from the true and living God. The God whom we worship is the Creator of this universe and all things including man, and only He alone is worthy of our worship and praise.
3. Man worships Self
V11 “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.”
In this day and age, look around the world, the community, the offices and workplace, the institutions and schools, the churches and homes, and you shall find increasingly, man is worshipping ourselves by the way we spend our time, talents and treasures.
No longer do we seriously investing our time, talents and treasures in God and His church, but instead we are giving most our time, talents and treasures in the pursuit of our career, education, health, sports, family, etc.
Again there is nothing wrong in our desires for improving and upgrading ourselves but when self-love takes the place of God, we become our own idols or gods.
Food for Thought
What do you think daily? What you think and do will reflect who and what you believe and worship.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:23 pm
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As we start on the book of Isaiah, let us understand the role of a prophet. A prophet is a representative of God who speaks of God’s divine Word.
Deuteronomy 18:20 “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.”
The prophet has an awesome responsibility of speaking the Word of God and if he does not, he shall be punished even by death in the hands of an angry God. The equivalent of a prophet in the New Testament is that of a pastor. He must also be careful of what he preaches because God’s punishment shall be upon him if he does not preach the Word.
Titus 1:7-9 “For a bishop ... Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
As pastors, let us pray that God gives us the wisdom and truth to preach the Word. As Christians, let us pray for our pastors that they preach the Word in truth and wisdom.
1. He Pronounces Judgment
Isaiah 1:2-3 “... they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.”
The prophet Isaiah pronounced the rebellion, wickedness and hypocrisy of the people of God. It is not easy for the pastors to pronounce God’s judgment upon the people but they have to even if they are the most unpopular leaders in the world.
2. He Invites Repentance
Isaiah 1:16-19 “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; ... Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:”
The prophet invited the people on God’s behalf to get right with God. There is no sin too wicked and evil that God cannot forgive. God forgives all sins if only we repent.
3. He Gives Hope
Isaiah 1:26 “And I will restore thy judges as at the first, ... thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.”
The prophet showed the people that there is hope and righteousness in God in this hopeless and wicked world if only they trust and obey Him.
Food for Thought
A holy preacher who is skillful in the Word is the best weapon of God.
Posted by: Pastor Davy Sim AT 02:22 pm
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