06/17/2024
Jesus we thank you for the new beginnings on today. I decree and declare good news. Thank you for great mercy and favor with God and man this I pray in Jesus name amen. #đđžđđžđđžđđž
Isaiah 48:10-11
The Message
Tested in the Furnace of Affliction
48 1-11 âAnd now listen to this, family of Jacob,
you who are called by the name Israel:
Who got you started in the loins of Judah,
you who use Godâs name to back up your promises
and pray to the God of Israel?
But do you mean it?
Do you live like it?
You claim to be citizens of the Holy City;
you act as though you lean on the God of Israel,
named God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
For a long time now, Iâve let you in on the way I work:
I told you what I was going to do beforehand,
then I did it and it was done, and thatâs that.
I know youâre a bunch of hardheads,
obstinate and flint-faced,
So I got a running start and began telling you
what was going on before it even happened.
That is why you canât say,
âMy god-idol did this.â
âMy favorite god-carving commanded this.â
You have all this evidence
confirmed by your own eyes and ears.
Shouldnât you be talking about it?
And that was just the beginning.
I have a lot more to tell you,
things you never knew existed.
This isnât a variation on the same old thing.
This is new, brand-new,
something youâd never guess or dream up.
When you hear this you wonât be able to say,
âI knew that all along.â
Youâve never been good listeners to me.
You have a history of ignoring me,
A sorry track record of fickle attachmentsâ
rebels from the womb.
But out of the sheer goodness of my heart,
because of who I am,
I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper.
I donât wash my hands of you.
Do you see what Iâve done?
Iâve refined you, but not without fire.
Iâve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.
Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.
I have my reputation to keep up.
Iâm not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.