LifeLink Devotions for Friday, May 2, 2025

Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9)

Today we begin a new devotional study that takes us to one of my favorite books in the Bible – Isaiah. Reading it is like springtime to me. After long prophecies about the impending judgment of God on a sinful society, the book closes with a glorious vision of the Kingdom of God on earth when Jesus reigns on the throne of Jerusalem. The splendor of that vision brings hope and joy to those who study it and believe it.

We will not take a lot of time going verse by verse through the book, but we will point out the highlights and significance of Isaiah’s prophecies and relate the relevance they have to our modern culture. I pray it will be meaningful for you.

Isaiah’s ministry as a prophet of Almighty God began in 740 B.C. and spanned the last five kings of Israel. The tragic fall of Samaria to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. occurred during his ministry.

Isaiah was the son of Amoz, born in Judah, probably in Jerusalem, about 760 B.C. He enjoyed a significant position in his society and had a close relationship with the reigning monarchs. His education is clearly evident in his superb writing that has gained him eminence in Hebrew literature hardly surpassed by any other. He had a thorough grasp of political history and dared to voice unpopular minority views regarding the state and the economy. His knowledge of the religious heritage of Israel and his unique theological contributions inspire awe. He was fully aware of what was transpiring in the court, in the marketplace, in the shallowness of high society, and the political frustrations of the nation.

When Isaiah was about twenty years old he had a vision of God’s glory and holiness and was called by God to be a prophet (Isaiah 6). The things he saw became the basis for how he viewed God and shared God with others. God warned him that his ministry would bring disappointment and meager results, but God also assured him that forgiveness was always available to those who repent. God also told Isaiah that the promises of God would be fulfilled.

So much for the historical background. Now, for today’s spiritual principle. Isaiah begins his book with an honest evaluation of what society was like in his day. It’s also very relevant to our day. But in the middle of this picture of a sin-sick society is an incredible statement of the grace and patience of God.  Isaiah 1:9 says. “Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

This is so simple, yet so profound and challenging. God’s incredible grace has provided a way for our culture to escape the judgment of its sin. That’s the simple part. The profound and challenging part is this – you and I are responsible for impacting our culture with the grace of God. In the midst of continued corruption and overt oppression stand God’s people as the lights of hope for a sin-sick society. You and I are here because God has chosen to place us here as His witnesses and to provide an escape for people from the coming judgment of sin.

Now the all-important application point – What kind of an impact for Christ are you having on your society?

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, May 1, 2025

Well we’ve reached the end of our list of ways the power of God is at work in us but remember this – the Power of God has no end. It is limitless, just as He is.

There are two power principles left.

9.   God’s power is at work in us so that we may be servants of the Gospel.

What does that mean? Everyone serves something or someone. In our natural flesh we serve self, demanding that we benefit from our choices. We serve self by working for employers for the benefit of payment or prestige. We serve self by using those with whom we have a relationship to gratify our need for value or pleasure. We serve self by choosing our desires over the wishes of others. We are by nature servants, but with selfish motives.

But when Christ humbled Himself and became the Servant of all he went so far as to sacrifice His life in obedience to the Father He served. By faith in His sacrifice we have been gifted the same Spirit of servanthood so that we may no longer be motivated by self but by the Gospel.

As Paul says in Ephesians 3:7, “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.”

Every decision we make in life can and should be motivated by our love for Jesus. We have become servants of the Gospel.

But we are weak, and we fail. We fall back into the desires of the flesh, which brings us to our final power principle.

10.  The power of God is at work in us so that we might bring glory to God even when we are weak.

The Apostle Paul recognized His weakness and was transparent about it with Christ. He tells us how God responded to his confession in 2 Corinthians 12:9. “But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

When we cover up our weaknesses with self-generated power, we become even weaker, expending all our energy of self-preservation. But when we admit our weakness to God we are promised His power, not because we demand it or deserve it, but because He is gracious and gives it freely so that He receives the glory.  The more we try to glorify ourselves the more frustrated we will become with the lack of success. But when we embrace the power of God to displace our weakness so that He is glorified, we become strong.

There you have it. Ten ways the power of God is at work in you. Each one is significant. Maybe you should print out these last five devotionals and remind yourself consistently that just like Stephan, you too can be full of power. God’s power.

Pastor John