Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
a moment of clarity
Isaiah 38 Hezekiah was not known for his consistency. But his illness had taken him close to death. He called it being consigned to the gates of Sheol (10). He was probably 39 when he was taken ill, and expected … Continue reading
the wrong place
Psalm 120 The psalmist is upset because of the people he is forced to live among. They love deception and violence, and their constant influence is grating on his nerves. He prays for deliverance, and laments that he has lived … Continue reading
unstoppable
Isaiah 36-37 The King of Assyria boasted that the LORD could not stop him, and he had evidence on his side. None of the other gods of the other lands could stop the king’s invasions. Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed. Their … Continue reading
understanding
Psalm 119:89-176 Numerous times in this passage, the psalmist prays for understanding. Understanding will keep his soul alive (144, 175). Here is a believer, and a disciple. He does not simply trust the LORD for some future destiny, he clings … Continue reading
returning to Zion
Isaiah 35 Isaiah’s message was not that the ransomed of the LORD were to be whisked off to heaven. They were going to return to Zion with everlasting joy. Jesus’ first ministry on earth was a foretaste of the kind … Continue reading
teach me
Psalm 119:1-88 Lammdeni – Teach me. The psalmist repeats that plea eleven times in this psalm – seven times in this section. He is convinced that there is a purpose for life, but that he will not learn that purpose … Continue reading
destruction, then emptiness
Isaiah 33-34 God has a plan for Assyria and Edom. It is destruction and then emptiness. The image of an unquenched fire, with smoke going up forever – leads to the resulting image of confusion and emptiness (34:10-11). The New … Continue reading
celebrating rescue
Psalm 118 What day should we be rejoicing over? The popular chorus has us rejoicing merely because it is today. To me, that is just taking words out of their context. The text appears to give us two other options. … Continue reading
God’s solution
Isaiah 30:18-32:20 The prophet’s words to his people predict a disaster that will befall the land, destroying the power of Assyria, and showing that Egypt cannot be relied on for help either. After the disaster comes, peace will once again … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, discernment, encouragement, peace, trust
Tagged Isaiah 30, Isaiah 31, Isaiah 32
Leave a comment
oasis of consistency
Psalm 117 We live in a world where everything changes, so drastically and quickly that our visions of the future cannot keep up. Is there anything that is constant? Yes, says the psalmist. The steadfast love of the LORD toward … Continue reading
