“At that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, ‘Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,’ and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.” – Isaiah 20:2

Being a genuine prophet of God was seldom easy, comfortable, safe, popular, or glamorous. Poor Isaiah had to walk around naked and barefoot for 3 years as a visible prophetic warning. That had to be extremely uncomfortable for everyone involved – Isaiah and everyone who crossed his path. But he did it! Isaiah was faithful to obey God, even when it was embarrassing, awkward, uncomfortable, and even painful.

Christian, there will be times when following Jesus is embarrassing, awkward, uncomfortable, or painful. Will you follow Him anyway? There may be times when God asks you to do something that doesn’t make any sense by the standards of the world. Times when even your believing friends ask discouraging questions and try to talk you out of doing such a thing. Are you prepared to be obedient to whatever God asks? Even when every other believer thinks you’re out of your mind?

It could not have been easy to be Isaiah. Especially not with his family, friends, or the local authorities. But he was faithful. Are you willing to be faithful even when that puts you in an awkward situation with those closest to you or those with power over you? Think about it carefully. Then #FollowJesus

“For the Lord of hosts has purposed,
and who will annul it?
His hand is stretched out,
and who will turn it back?”
– Isaiah 14:27

Consider this a helpful reminder that the universe is not a democracy. It is a monarchy and our King is the infinitely powerful, infinitely wise, all-knowing, ever-present God of Universe. The Lord of Hosts. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The will of God can’t be canceled by anyone, even if they would prefer something else. Even if they argue for something else. Even if they celebrate something else. God’s power can’t be stopped. Sometimes, He doesn’t seem to be very active, but He is always active. Sometimes His power seems insufficient in face of the world’s evil, but His power is always enough. Sometimes His will seems hard to understand or even unkind because of our limited knowledge and short-term, self-centered perspective.

Ultimately however, God’s will is always for the best. Our King, the Lord of Hosts, is merciful, gracious, patient, faithful, loving, and just by nature. Therefore, you can , and should, trust God’s working and will, even when you would prefer something simpler, less confrontational, and more comfortable. Trust God’s will. Obey God’s word. Follow God’s Son. #FollowJesus

“Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets.’” – 2 Kings 17:13

The Old Testament is, among other things, a long record of the extraordinary patience of God. When He brought them out of slavery, God was extremely clear with His people about how they needed to follow Him and what the consequences would be if they didn’t. And yet, when generation after generation disobeyed, God was truly long-suffering in His patience. He sent prophets and seers to remind Israel of the Law and the consequences for breaking it. Usually, they were ignored. Often, they were abused.

God did this for hundreds of years. That was because His desire is always for people to come to repentance. Therefore, God is merciful and patient beyond anything we can possibly imagine. Nonetheless, His patience has limits. God is no fool and His patience should never be presumed upon. He is just and He will justly punish those who scorn Him to pursue gods of their own making. Eventually, God’s patience with Israel ran out and they were taken away by the Assyrians. Eventually, God’s patience with Judah ran out and they were taken into exile to purify the small faithful remnant.

The New Testament letter of 2 Peter explains that God is still patient. He still longs for people to come to repentance and entrust their lives to His Son, Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus hasn’t yet returned to usher in God’s final just judgment. Nonetheless, people still should not presume upon God’s patience. This is a time for believers to live holy lives, bless others, and share the hope of Jesus with unbelievers. This is a time for unbelievers to repent and put their faith in Jesus. Because eventually, God’s patience will come to an end and Jesus will return to bring judgment and renew creation. #FollowJesus

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
when I fall, I shall rise;
when I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be a light to me.”
– Micah 7:8

If Jesus is your Lord, then this promise is for you! Claim it, especially when you find yourself fallen into dark times of fear, agony, defeat, or despair. Jesus is the Light of the World. He is in, and with, His followers. Though you certainly may experience difficult and even dreadful times in this world, you will eventually rise in victory through Christ Jesus. Though you may be surrounded and nearly overwhelmed by darkness, the Lord will always be your light.

In other words, what you see, what you feel, and what you fear is not your long term future in Christ. If you are an adopted child of God, then your long term future is one of glory and light that never ends, seated in the heavenly places with the Lord. Your long term future is to enjoy the glorious presence of the Lord and to be comforted by Him.

This world can feel, and be, awful. It can feel, and be, overwhelming. You may well find yourself in situations that test and try every bit of your being. But you are never alone in your agony. Your suffering Savior is always present with you. You will never be abandoned and left to your own devices. The Lord IS with you! Your defeats are not final! And no matter how long the darkness lasts here on earth, it will be but a moment compared to the glorious eternity that lies before you! #FollowJesus

“You will say in that day:
‘I will give thanks to you, O Lord,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
‘Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.’
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4 And you will say in that day:
‘Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that his name is exalted.
‘Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth.
Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.'”
– Isaiah 12

Rather than read commentary on these beautiful verses, just take time to read each and every verse once or twice more before moving on with your day. Praise God that each and every verse is true through faith in Jesus Christ. If Jesus is your Lord, this is true for you! #FollowJesus