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(The following are reflections from the writer’s personal journey through The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble – a Bible reading plan to read the Bible chronologically in one year. To learn more about The Bible Recap, visit thebiblerecap.com. Find more posts from this series at lifeword.org/thebiblerecap.)
Day 197: Read Isaiah Chapters 13-17
My Takeaways:
“The Lord of Armies has sworn:
As I have purposed, so it will be.
as I have planned, so it will happen.” (Isaiah 14:24)
“The Lord of Armies himself has planned it:
Therefore, who can stand in its way?
It is his hand that is outstretched,
So who can turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27)
Today, friends, we see the sovereignty of God though His oracles against pagan nations. Sin must be punished, and He not only uses pagan nations to punish His children for this sin, but He also punishes those nations for their sin. We have moments where He is angered about sin, and moments where He is sad about sin.
Amid all this, we have a moment when Isaiah references a king or Lucifer or both. And he reveals his sin: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God…I will make myself like the Most High….”
Oh my, ladies, how much do we see this thinking today? People who act like gods in their own lives? People who elevate themselves above God?
It’s pride. And it’s a death sentence. My former preacher used to say that there will be more people in hell because of pride more than any other sin.
God has something to say about this, and it’s frightening: “I will rise up against them…”
Friends, I have said it before—I am so glad I am on Team God!
Day 198: Read Isaiah Chapters 18-22
My Takeaways:
More doom and more gloom on the horizon for pagan nations and God’s people. Settle in, folks. I think this is a message we will be hearing throughout these prophets.
Can you imagine how hard these messages of punishment were for Isaiah, especially when those nations didn’t listen to him? God even uses him for an object lesson, going “stripped and barefoot” as a sign of future captivity! (He has more of these coming, too. 
) And yet, God continues to warn and warn and warn. You know what? I love a God who warns us that punishment is coming. I love a God who gives mercy and grace with repentance. That’s been my biggest God Shot—God is long suffering with His people and just wants them to turn to Him and to walk with Him. He just wants their hearts.
Another God Shot of mine came from 5 cities in Egypt turning to God and worshipping Him! They even built an altar to God in Egypt—the very place where His people were enslaved for 400 years! Oh, the irony! I love the way God works! I also love how God isn’t exclusive to just the Israelites—he reach is to all his people and those who turn to him are saved! What love! What hope!
His people on the other hand? They are partying and drinking in lieu of all his warnings. This is shocking, yet no shocking. It’s heartbreaking. It still rings true today. People are blinded to the truth. Or ignore it.
We are almost 200 days in and have read 20 books of the Bible—-great job!! This is HUGE, friends!! Like what Tara-Leigh often says: “You’re probably reading the Bible more than what you would have on your own. Give yourself some grace and pick back up where you left off!” Don’t give up!! There is such wisdom to be learned and heart knowledge to be soaked in—it’s worth the struggle in the book of Isaiah!!