Page 17 - 7-31-15 Friday's Edition Updated

Local
This lesson for the week se- lected from Isaiah 59:15-21 speaks of the events that are taking place in America and the world today. This can also be taking place in the local com- munities, churches, and homes. This lesson gives us warning about the feelings of God to- wards injustice. It appears that America is trying to make more peace with foreign enemies while injustice is being served to its own citizens here at home. Isaiah records God’s words and feelings.
Verse 15 - So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. The people have strayed so far away from the original will of God. They have left the trust and faithful- ness of God and have begun to
cling to wealth and political power. Justice is nowhere to be found among the people. Evil has started to spread and pre- vail across the land. Isaiah writes that those who shun from evil have become victims of evil. Those who stand for jus- tice and righteousness will soon become the prey of evil. When you stand for what is right in so- ciety often times you will be- come a target of practitioners of evil.
Verse 16 - He saw that there was no one, He was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salva- tion for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. God is not blind to the ac- tions and behavior of the evil. God also sees that there is no one standing up for justice and the injustice of the weak and the
God Saves
oppressed. God sees that there aren’t many of His people inter- ceding for those who find them- selves in the hands of evil and wicked people. This visual of the absence of people standing in the gap for injustice appalls God. Because God did not see anyone interceding, He decided to step in and save His people. This will help you understand how you got saved and were re- deemed from the bondage of the oppressor. God intervened because He is the God of right- eousness. This is God’s view of what He sees taking place today. He is appalled at the in- justice and at the fact that the people of justice and mercy are not interceding.
Verse17-ForHeputon righteousness as a breast- plate, and a helmet of sal- vation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. God has dressed Him- self in battle attire. God is preparing Himself to stand for those who are being oppressed and treated unjustly. A country, community, church, or family must be careful about how it treats its own. When people are treated with injustice it causes God to take notice and when
God sees injustice He gets in- volved.
Verse 18 - According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coast- lands He will fully repay. God will repay the oppressor and the evil for their deeds. God declares that what they have done to the weak and the poor will be done to them. God has a way to bring a disobedient and lawless people to their knees. America has seen this before and if not careful the Day of Judgment will return be- cause of the injustice that is going unchecked.
Verse 19 - So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the ris- ing of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a stan- dard against him. God can and will make a nation and peo- ple bow to Him and acknowl- edge that He is God. The people will learn to respect and revere God for His sovereignty and power. When the enemy presses their way upon the peo- ple and become too much for them to handle, God will rise up
against them. God will assem- ble His people together and give them a strength to rise above the attacks and threats of the enemy.
Verse 20 - “The Re- deemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” Says the LORD. God will come to redeem those who are op- pressed and will also receive those who want to repent. God does not just want to save the oppressed; He also wants to save the oppressor.
Verse 21 - “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descen- dants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”
God reminds them of His covenant with them. God as- sures His people that His spirit and His word will remain with them forever. No matter what it looks like in your life always remember that God will not for- get His words of promise to you!
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-B