(Through the Bible) Isaiah - Part 2 — Zac Poonen

Okay, we can begin we'll Turn to Isaiah now to the second section of Isaiah which begins a chapter 40. Now you would have noticed in a number of books That we've been studying. There are certain parts that I have spent more time over and certain other parts where I Just give you the reference.

Say a few words and move on. Now this is not because those other portions are unimportant. But to me it's like teaching you to or let's say if I were to teach a small child How to make a jigsaw puzzle and if a jigsaw puzzle has got a hundred pieces.

The child has probably never made a jigsaw puzzle before. Like many of you have probably not seriously studied the scriptures before. So what you do is you tell the child, okay this is where you put this is where you put this is where you put and show them the picture and put a few pieces and then Leave the other 75 pieces for the child to do on its own and there's something exciting about the child.

Completing that jigsaw puzzle on its own Instead of you doing the whole thing for it so That's what I'm doing. Just putting a few pieces here and there. And saying now you complete the puzzle. And make the picture yourself and there's something exciting because that will drive you to the Holy Spirit.

I've always sought in my ministry not to explain everything to people in such a way That they don't need to go to God anymore. They've just got to come to me. God is very jealous. He's a jealous husband.

Who does not want me to rob his bride. A? Lot of preachers rob The bride of Christ and get married to them themselves. So we don't want to do that. We want you to be united to Christ your bridegroom. And the Holy Spirit's very jealous that you should have a personal relationship with him that you listen to him and so my duty is only to give you a little appetizer and To give you a foretaste and a little taste rather of what wonderful riches are in this book.

In whichever book you go to it's there and To show you some of the hidden treasures here and there. So that you can go to it more in yourself and find out a lot more that can thrill your heart in the years to come.

I'm still excited when I study the scriptures today. We now come to chapter 40. I told you this is like the New Testament portion of Isaiah the lot of prophecies here about New covenant life begins with chapter 40.

Isaiah 40: The New Covenant Begins With Preparation and Humility

Verse 3 to 5. Again I won't have time to go into detail. But I can give you these verses you write them down and see what I've done is given you some of the most important verses in the book of Isaiah.

In the last study here are some of the most important verses in the new covenant section. First of all verses 3 to 7 Speaks about 3 to 5 speaks about the ministry of John the Baptist. It's significant that this section of Isaiah begins with How the New Covenant begin.

New Testament begins a voice of one crying in the wilderness saying clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness make smooth the desert and the way this applies to us is Jesus is coming back a second time.

Like he came the first time and like there was a John the Baptist who prepared people for the coming of the Lord today you and I Are the John the Baptist the church is John the Baptist to prepare people for the second coming of the Lord so our message is Essentially the same as John the Baptists to prepare people for the coming of the Lord.

What is that? Verse 4 valley must be lifted up. There's no place for you to sit down in the valley discouraged depressed saying I'm good for nothing I'm useless don't keep saying that forever. You've got to be lifted up.

He encouraged God has accepted you. That's the message. We preach no need to live in the dumps in the valleys. You're a child of God. You're a son of the king. You're a daughter of the king. Be lifted up secondly.

The mountains verse 4 must be brought low. All the pride that is in you must be brought down and the rough Ground Must become a plain. That means there are a lot of rough areas in your life. They have to be smoothened out, and you've got to be gracious and gentle and Then if you read the corresponding passage in Luke chapter 3 where this is quoted.

He says the crooked will become straight. So there are crooked things in our life lack of righteousness and money matters all those crooked things must be straight. These four things are mentioned. Valleys lifted up mountains brought down rough places made smooth and crooked made straight.

And then what will happen then the glory of the Lord will be revealed in your flesh. In your flesh. People will see the glory of Jesus Christ and that is the way We prepare people for the coming of the Lord.

That's the message we proclaim. The mouth of the Lord has spoken it and all flesh will see The salvation of the Lord in us also, and then this verse is Quoted in 1 Peter 1 verse 24 and 25 verse 6 and 7 all flesh is like grass.

Please remember that I said earlier That all flesh is like dust which has got Breath in it. Remember also that all flesh is like grass and all the honor of men is like the flower of the grass. All the honor that you can get in the world from people.

It's only like the small teeny weeny flower that goes on grows on some grass the grass withers. The flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows upon it and Peter says but the word of the Lord endures forever.

So those who have lived by the principles of God's Word Will remain when all the glory of man one day is wiped out. You must always keep that in mind. Everything I see around me is all going to perish one day if I live by the Word of God.

I'll have something eternal. Verse 10 and 11 speaks about the coming of the Lord. The Lord will come. His reward is with him and like a shepherd verse 11. He will take care of his flock. He will carry the lambs in his bosom.

Beautiful verse. Verse 12 to 17 speaks about the Power of God in The control he has over the whole universe. How he created everything from nothing. And this verse verse 13 Is the verse that's quoted in 1 Corinthians 2 16 who has taught the Holy Spirit or as his counselor informed him.

No, and it goes on to Speak about all the nations of the earth verse 17 as being nothing. Before him they're all regarded as less than nothing and meaningless. We must see something of the sovereignty of God.

If we are to serve him that all the people in the world are like dust. Particularly, you know when we go to difficult places and there are people who appear to be so powerful. Because they've got all the authority of the state behind them and they oppose us as we seek to serve the Lord.

We must remember some of these verses and see the tremendous power of God. All the people in the earth Are like dust the dust in the balance. Nothing at all. And further in verse 22 There is a little expression here, which I want you to see.

It says it's talking about the Lord. Don't you know verse 21? Have you not heard it is he who sits above? The circle of the earth. 600 years ago Man discovered that the Sun is the center of the solar system and gradually discovered that the earth is a circle but 2 ,700 years ago Isaiah wrote it in the Bible that the earth is not flat.

The earth is a circle. It's here. As I just thought I'd point out that to you something very interesting and verse 26 it says look at the one who controls the stars. He's given them all names. See Isaiah was given a vision of this tremendous almighty power of God not only his holiness, but his almighty power.

And I believe these are two visions of God that we must always have before us when we serve him. One his tremendous holiness and the other his almighty power. Verse 29 to 31 if this is the God we worship and serve he will give us strength when we are weak and If we lack might he will give us power.

He will give us health to serve him. He'll give us strength to serve him. Young people verse 30 will grow weary and tired. Vigorous young men. Verse 30 will get exhausted trying to serve the Lord, but those who wait on the Lord.

What a wonderful promise no matter what their age is they will gain new strength and While the young people are collapsing. These older men who wait on the Lord will mount up with eagles. They will run and they won't get tired.

They will walk and they will never become weary. I want to encourage you from early on in your life. Learn to wait upon God. Learn to it says here. They will gain new strength or some Translations say they will exchange their strength.

That means Lord. I give you my strength you give me yours. Exchange it's wonderful to exchange things with the Lord. All that I have is yours Lord and all that you have is mine like Jesus said in John 17 verse 10 and 11.

So it's good to have that type of exchange with the Lord. Exchange our strength because in the Lord's service. You need the Lord's strength. You need the Lord's power even physically. To endure till the ends and sometimes we really need to trust the Lord to give us that supernatural strength from above.

Resurrection power not only in our spirit, but resurrection power in our bodies. To serve the Lord so that we never get tired and even in old age. We continue to bear fruit for him. Chapter 41 verses 8 To 18 are tremendous verses.

These are verses, you know, those of us who serve the Lord. Some of these verses are fantastic, you know Isaiah 40 to 66 these the second section of 27 chapters has been a very precious portion of scripture for me through many many years.

Isaiah 49 was the chapter through which God called me to his service on the 6th of May 1964. I remember it very vividly very precious these passages have been and I want to encourage all of you who serve the Lord to Take these chapters very seriously.

There's some tremendous promises here. For those who are wholeheartedly seeking to serve God in the footsteps of that first true servant of Jehovah our Lord Jesus Christ. So verses 8 to 18 speak about.

I've chosen you verse 9 and not rejected you verse 10. Don't be afraid I'm with you what all promises. When we are in the midst of difficult situations don't anxiously look about you for help verse 10.

I'm your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my right hand. All those who are angry with you verse 11 will be ashamed and dishonored. Those who fight with you will become as nothing they will perish.

You will look for those who quarrel with you verse 12, but you won't find them. Those who make war with you will become nothing and non-existent one day because I am the Lord your God. I Hold your right hand.

I say to you don't fear. I will help you. You're a worm verse 14, but don't be afraid I'll help you and Even though you're so weak. I'm going to make you verse 15 a new sharp threshing sledge. With double edges because the Word of God the two-edged sword is in your mouth and you will thresh these mighty mountains to pieces.

Pulverize them you'll make the hills like chaff and you will rejoice verse 16 in the Lord your God. Take it to heart dear brothers and sisters who seek to serve the Lord apply to yourself and claim it in Jesus name verse 17 and 18.

When the afflicted and needy God is always interested in the poor. Are you poor. Are you needy? God is interested in you and You're seeking for water seeking for the Holy Spirit. When your tongue is parched see Oh God, I cannot live without the power of the Holy Spirit.

I The Lord will answer them. I will open rivers verse 18 in their lives. Springs in the midst of their lives. I'll make their life like a pool of water and The dry life will become like a fountain of water.

The Servant of the Lord and the Holy Spirit’s Anointing

I Thank God for the tremendous blessing and encouragement. Verses like this have been to me for nearly 40 years. I pass them on to you. Chapter 42 speaks about the servant who is anointed by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is one of the main Themes of the New Testament and the Holy Spirit is also one of the main themes of Isaiah 40 to 66. Okay, behold my servant is referring to Jesus Christ and applies to us.

Whom I uphold a true servant of God is upheld by God not by American money or Christian organizations or By any such thing it's by the Lord. He's the one who should uphold you. You may get your money from any source.

That's not the point, but don't depend on it. Uphold means what are you dependent on? We must be dependent on the Lord alone. That's very important and when you come to that place of helplessness God will put his spirit upon you.

You see it's the helpless person who depends on the Lord who's trusting God upon whom the spirit comes and Look at this lovely verse which refers to Jesus verse 3 a bruised read. First of all verse 2 he will not cry out or raise his voice in the streets.

Beautiful verse. It's quoted in Matthew chapter 12. Verse 18. I think he will not make his voice heard in the streets. A Bruised read. He will not break. That means a discouraged person. He will not discourage him further.

He'll encourage him and heal that broken read and That wick of a candle would just about to die out. He won't just put it away. He'll blow it and make it into a flame. So God is interested in weak believers.

God is interested in those who are discouraged and depressed. He wants to lift up their spirits. And if you are a true servant of the Lord wherever you go You'll have a ministry of encouragement. Lifting up the spirits of people who are depressed and people who feel well.

I can't do anything for the Lord. You'll stir them up and say God's not gonna break a bruised read. He's not gonna blow out that burning wick. Please seek for such a ministry. Because everywhere in our churches people need it.

Verses 5 to 8 The Lord who created the heaven says I have called you in righteousness. Verse 6 I've called you to open blind eyes. Verse 7 to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and One thing please remember all your life very very very important verse.

Verse 8 the Lord says I will never give my glory to another person. Don't ever take glory To yourself that is like stealing. It's like going into somebody's room and stealing his property. It's like taking somebody's purse and taking out money from his purse to take glory to yourself.

Which belongs to God? It's a very very serious crime. God will use you. He'll bless you. He'll do many things for you. But he'll never give his glory to you once you start touching the glory of God. You will destroy yourself once you start taking honor to yourself.

Once you start promoting yourself before people drawing people to yourself instead of to the Lord once you start Claiming credit for what you did instead of what God did. You're on very dangerous ground.

This is how many people have lost the anointing verse 19 And 20. I want to interpret this for you perhaps in a different way than Usually accepted you could take it as sarcasm saying who's blind, but my servant, but it appears as though it's referring to Jesus and If that is the case my servant in verse 1 is definitely Jesus.

And when it says who is blind, but my servant, what does that mean was Jesus blind? Who is deaf? Like my messenger who is so blind as the one who is at peace with me totally? So blind as the servant of the Lord this is not sarcasm.

A true servant of God must be blind and deaf to many things. That means Verse 20 you see many things, but you don't observe them. You don't go looking For sin. You don't go looking for things to judge.

You don't go listening To catch somebody on some word that he said you know the Pharisees were like that. Always listening to catch Jesus in some word and there are some people who like that always. Waiting to catch somebody in some word because they are jealous of his ministry.

Don't be like that be deaf. Be blind to a lot of things in the world that means you heard that somebody said Bad story about you. Supposing you were deaf and I come and tell you this is what somebody is telling about you.

You can't hear a thing be like that. Isn't it isn't it good for a servant of God to be blind when he is tempted by pretty women? Who is blind like my servant. Who is deaf like my messenger. A Tremendous challenge.

You have eyes. But you don't look. You have ears. But you don't want to hear all that. Because you don't want to judge by your eyes. What your eyes tell you or what your ears tell you it's got a connection with what we saw in Isaiah 11.

God’s Promises to His Witnesses in Isaiah 43–48

Okay. We go to chapter 43 verses 1 to 5. Tremendous promise again. Don't fear. I've redeemed you. Verse 2 when you pass through the waters. I'll be with you. When you pass through difficult situations.

Rivers. They won't overflow you. When you walk through the fire it will not hurt you. Nor will the flame burn you. Another tremendous promise for I am the Lord your God your precious in my sight. It says in verse 3 the last part I gave Egypt for your ransom to us.

He says I gave the blood of my son for your ransom therefore your precious in your my eyes. Verse 5. Don't be afraid. You know the number of times in Isaiah this word comes. Fear not fear not fear not.

The word that Jesus frequently spoke to his disciples fear not fear not fear not fear not fear not. A Word I tell you in the days to come in India. The word that God's servants need to hear is this fear not.

I Am with you says the Lord. That's why I would encourage all of you to really seriously take these 27 chapters of Isaiah. I believe it has a word a prophetic word for the times in which we are living in India today.

Verses 10 to 12. You are my witnesses says the Lord. I I am the Lord. There is no Savior beside me. You are my witnesses. Verse 12 verse 18 and 19. Don't think about your past life forget it. Forgetting the things that are behind put it behind you.

I will do something new. I will make a way in the wilderness and Rivers in the desert. Look ahead. Don't worry about your past failures. Isaiah is tremendously encouraging. These are prophecies of comfort like the previous First section was prophecies of judgment from the throne of the Lord.

Here are prophecies of comfort from the Lamb who was slain. And Chapter verse 25 I am the one who wipes out your transgressions. And I will not remember your sins anymore. A new covenant promise chapter 44.

Verse 3 a promise for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It's all new covenant stuff here. I'll pour water on the thirsty ground. I'll pour my spirit on you and your children and My blessing on your descendants.

You know these are promises of God. 2nd Corinthians 1 20 Says all the promises of God are yes, and amen in Christ. So we can claim these promises in Jesus name. This is a new covenant book for us today.

Okay, and We come to chapter 44 and verse 8 don't tremble. Don't be afraid again that don't be afraid. You are my witnesses. Is there any God beside me? Why are you worried about these people who worship idols?

And then it speaks about the folly of idolatry in the remaining verses and then in Verse 21 It says you are my servant. I Formed you. You will never be forgotten by me. Sometime when you're serving the Lord in some lonely place.

And everybody's forsaken you because you are true to the Lord. Remember this promise you will not be forgotten by me. Sometimes when you think your prayers are not heard and it looks as if God has forgotten all about you.

Take this promise to heart. You will not be forgotten by me. And further in verse 26 To chapter 45 verse 6 is a prophecy about King Cyrus 150 years before Cyrus came on the scene and This and took over the leadership of the kingdom of Medo-Persia after the Babylonian Empire.

Isaiah prophesied about his coming by name. Verse 1 of 45 thus says the Lord to Cyrus. Verse 44 28 I say to Cyrus. He is my shepherd. It's an amazing passage that refers to something that Cyrus would Tell the Jews to go back and build the temple.

We saw that in the book of Ezra 200 years before the temple was built. Isaiah before the captivity before the Babylonian Empire was destroyed speaks of the kingdom that's going to come after Babylon and Names the ruler of that king of that kingdom Cyrus.

Okay, we go on to 45 in verse 8 let the heavens drip down. Let the crowds clouds pour down. Righteousness. And verse 9 Woe unto the man who quarrels with his maker. Don't argue with God in the way he deals with you.

Verse 9 an Earthenware vessel that's what we are. Can the clay say to the Potter? What are you doing? The basic meaning of this verse is humble yourself in all the dealings. God is taking you through.

He takes you through difficult situations humble yourself. He's molding you into a vessel and don't criticize him and When God is making you don't say what are you doing? And it speaks here. I Think this has got this has got reference to our situation in India.

Where? You know in many parts of India there are parents who do not like a girl, baby. They always want boys. There are sad cases where girl babies are left at the doorsteps of some orphanage or thrown in the Garbage bin and even killed sometimes.

Here's a verse for such people verse 10. Whoa, there's a curse On the one who says to a father What are you a begetting or to a woman? What are you giving birth to? Is this a girl? I wanted a boy. And the Lord says there's a curse on people who speak like that or even if it's a retarded child.

We have no right to kill a retarded child because it's retarded. A retarded child can make us people of great compassion if the Lord Decides to give us a child like that. Don't say what are you begetting don't do an abortion.

This is a verse against abortions. Okay, that's just in passing. Then we're 17 You will the last part is a beautiful verse you will not be put to shame or humiliated to all eternity. That means in an eternal way Jesus was humiliated and we'll be humiliated that way but from the eternal standpoint We will never be put to shame.

We will never be humiliated if we follow the Lord. It's full of encouragement. That's why I tell you when you're discouraged go to Isaiah chapter 40 to 66 at least you know where to turn. In the Bible almost any chapter you'll find something that encourages you.

And verse 22 Turn to me and be saved all the ends of the earth. I'm God there is none else I'm just giving you the pieces of this jigsaw puzzle. You can put it in place and see the beautiful picture that finally comes out.

Okay, chapter 46 verse 4 is a beautiful verse as you grow older and those of you who are older. Even to your old age. The Lord says I will be the same. I don't grow old says the Lord. Even when your hair has become gray, I shall carry you.

I Have done it or in other words I created you I made you and I will carry you. I Will bear you. I will deliver you. To whom can you liken me and make me equal and compare me with? The Lord says the contrast here is.

It's a very humorous contrast. Idols. People have to carry their gods you I Carry you. That's the contrast is do you carry your God or does your God carry you? That's the question that's the contrast in this chapter and The Lord says even if you're an old man I'll carry you to the very end and keep my anointing upon your life.

Chapter 47 verse 8 refers to Babylon again you know. Sitting as a queen as a widow. I will not sit as no says I will not sit as a widow verse 8. This is quoted in Revelation 18 verse 7 I Was I'm a queen.

I Won't have any problems. A comfortable Christianity. That does not know God that does not walk in humility. Chapter 48 verse 10 Behold I have refined you but not as silver. I Have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

For my own sake I will act for how can my name be profaned. And again that word my glory I will never give to another person. 48 11. In case you missed it the first time the Lord reminds you a second time.

Don't touch his glory. And when you go through affliction take this verse. I'm refining you better than silver. I'm testing you in the furnace of affliction. I'm testing you to see whether you're faithful.

It's not going to be forever. You don't put gold in the fire forever. The gold is put in the fire purified and then it hangs around. You know it sits on the crown of some King or hangs around the neck of some Queen.

He doesn't stay in the fire forever and you also. One day God will take you up and make you part of his crown, but now he has to purify the gold. Okay, and he does it for his own sake. Verse 11 then verse 15 I Have spoken come near.

Verse 16 listen to this. I have not spoken in secret from the time it took place. Now the Lord has sent me and his spirit. Verse 17 I am the Lord who teaches you to profit. Who leads you in the way that you should go.

If only you had listened to my commandments paid attention to them. Your well-being would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. And When the Lord leads us it says in verse 21 they did not thirst even when they went through the deserts and He made the raw water to flow from the rock.

Isaiah 49–54: The Messiah, the Way of the Cross, and Divine Vindication

But for the wicked verse 22 there is no peace. Now these nine chapters 40 to 48 are prophecies of deliverance in various situations. And now we come to chapter 49 to 57 where we have specific prophecies about the Messiah.

About Jesus and it applies to us also. Chapter 49 is a wonderful chapter. It's been a tremendous chapter for me as I told you earlier for Last 36 years. I don't have time to go into it all. Think of verse 2.

He has made my mouth like a sharp sword. When we speak God's Word We speak like a sharp sword at the same time. We also speak words of comfort. In the shadow of his hand he has concealed me. He has hidden me in his quiver.

He speaks of discouragement here in verse 4 a servant of God can be discouraged sometimes. Lord I wasted my life. I have not spent my strength usefully and the Lord says don't worry I'm gonna use you.

I'm gonna make you verse 6 a light to the nations. There's a beautiful verse here in 14 to 15. Can a woman forget her nursing child. Verse 15 you say I've forsaken you. Can a woman forget to have compassion on the son of her womb.

See when God wants to compare his love With human love the best example he can get on earth. Is the example of a mother's love for a child? That's why he says he doesn't say can a husband forget his wife.

Husbands may forget their wives. Can a wife forget her husband. Wife may definitely forget her husband. But a mother Mother forgetting the child just born impossible. He takes that example as the greatest example of love on earth.

Can a woman forget her child? Even they may forget, but I will not forget you remember that verse all your life because Verse 16 I've inscribed you on the palms of my hands when Jesus looks at the palms of his hands.

And he sees the hole there he thinks of you, that's a great verse and Verse 23 Last part has been a tremendous encouragement to me through many many years. Those who hopefully wait for me will never be put to shame.

Praise God you come to the Lord and you say Lord. I'm trusting you for this thing according to your word you will never in your life be put to shame. And Verse 25 49 and verse 25. I will feed your enemies with their own flesh and the last part is sorry sorry verse 25 the captives of the mighty will be taken away and Those who fight with you.

I will fight with them and Those who fight with your children, I will fight with them and I will save your children. For those of us who are married who've got children who are facing problems. Here is a tremendous words.

I will save your sons. Take it before the Lord and claim it. Okay, we go to chapter 50 and verse 49 is a very clear promise about prophecy about Jesus. And it says about Jesus that he had a very disciplined tongue verse 4 the servant of God must have a disciplined tongue and A tongue by which he can sustain a weary person with a word.

In chapter 49, we saw that his mouth was like a sharp sword verse 2. But here in 50 verse 4, it is not only like a sharp sword that cuts people you serpents your generation of wipers. It is also a word a tongue that Encourage people go in peace.

Your sins are forgiven. Neither do I condemn you go and sin no more. He knew how to sustain a weary person with a word. The tongue of a servant of God must be sharp to denounce sin and comforting to those who are sorrowful for their sin.

And Jesus woke up morning by morning verse 4 to listen. I've been emphasizing listening. He says his ear was awake verse 450 verse 4 to listen to what the father had to say and When he heard something he was not disobedient.

He did his father's will. Even if it involved verse 5 he was not disobedient verse 6. Even if it involved other people slapping him other people hitting him on the back. Verse 6 other people spitting on him.

He did not turn back. Is this disgraceful that people are spitting on you verse 7. I'm not disgraced. Because he says the Lord is with me. What is the matter of people spit spit on me if my father is with me.

I therefore even if they spit on me I've set my face like a flint verse 7 not to take revenge on them not to threaten them forgive them bless them and Press on. And I know verse 7 I will not be ashamed.

Very good verses for us to think of in the coming days. Because the one who vindicates me verse 8 is near me and Who will fight with me. Let us stand together. Have you got a case against me. You want to take me to court come.

The Lord God will help me. Verse 9. Who is there the one trying to accuse me and condemn me. They will all wear out like a garment. Verse 10 and 11 are also important when you fear the Lord and you obey the voice of your servant.

It's possible that sometimes you don't have light. The Lord doesn't give you light. You have to move in darkness verse 10. What should you do in times of darkness? There's a beautiful expression. I heard as a young man, which I have never forgotten.

Never doubt in the darkness. What God has shown you in the light? Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light. Supposing somebody has given me a hundred rupee note in the clear Light I see it's a hundred rupee note.

I put it in my pocket and then it's night and then a night. I Say have I got any money and I wonder and I pick it out and it's pitch dark. Is this really hundred rupees? I? Have my doubts because I can't see at all.

Well, you saw it in the light. Why do you have doubts about it now never doubt in the darkness What God has shown you in the light. There are times when the light is bright. When you're encouraged God shows you something.

Believe that there are other times of pressure discouragement. Don't doubt what he showed you in the light and at that time. Don't try to create your own fire like nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10. Behold all you who kindle your own fire and you make your own fire instead of waiting for God.

You know, the darkness has come and you try to make your own fire. No, no. No, if you do that, you will lie down in torment. Let God in his own time. That means don't try to defend yourself. God will defend you.

Chapter 50 we saw now we go to chapter 51. It says here those who seek the Lord those who pursue righteousness verse 1 look to the rock from which you were honed. Hewn and the quarry from which you were dug.

That means never never forget. What you were? Before you were converted. What a sinner you were what a good-for-nothing person you were. You were out in the quarry in a pit. Don't ever forget that. I want to tell you all of you till the end of your life.

Never forget. Then you won't despise other people. You won't look down on other people. Never forget what you were when the Lord picked you up and then we're seven. Listen to me, you know righteousness.

Don't fear the reproach of men. Don't be afraid of their revilings and Verse 12 I Am the one who comforts you. Why are you afraid of man who dies and The son of man who's just like grass. Verse 16 I put my words in your mouth.