Doyle Smith Daily

Isaiah 43:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 02/12/2013  A commitment to live under God's authority does not make life easy; it just assures us that the outcome will be good. God says to those who pledge to obey him: "Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you" Isaiah 43:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, when things seem impossible and hopeless to me, remind me of this promise and help me to always be faithful to you

Isaiah 40:12-14 (God's Word) Originally published 02/11/2014 “Who has measured the water of the sea with the palm of his hand or measured the sky with the length of his hand? Who has held the dusts of the earth in a bushel basket or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills on a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD or instructed him as his adviser? Whom did he consult? Who gave him understanding? Who taught him the right way? Who taught him knowledge? Who informed him about the way to understanding?" Isaiah 40:12-14 (God's Word). Lord, your greatness is beyond my imagination! I am overwhelmed that you would care for me

Isaiah 40:6-8(God's Word) Originally published 02/09/2013  Every generation thinks they are unique and some who think what the Bible says does not fit them. “A voice called, 'Call out!' I asked , 'What should I call out?' 'Call out: All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower in the field. Grass dries up, and flowers wither, but the word of our God will last forever’ Isaiah 40:6-8 (God's Word).  Lord, help me to accept your instructions as permanent and eternal.

Isaiah 37:29 (God's Word) Originally published 02/08/2013 Isaiah 37-8 tells a wonderful story. The king of Assyria (one of the most powerful nations in the world at that time) sent a letter to the king of Judah. He told the king of Judah that he was going to destroy him, and his nation and nothing could save him, not even his God. The king of Judah took the letter to the LORD. Isaiah the prophet brought God's response. "Since you rage against me and your boasting has reached my ears, I will put my hook in our nose and my bridle in your mouth. I will make you go back the way you came" Isaiah 37:29 (God's Word).  The next day 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were dead in their camp. The king of Assyria went home to worship his god and was killed by his sons in the temple of his god. Lord, when I am obedient to you, never let me fear what seems impossible to me.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 02/07/2013 God is patient, kind, and loving, but he will not allow people to stand in the way of what he is doing. You do not want to get on God's enemy list. Edom was attacking his people, Zion, and he said, "Pay attention, you people. The earth, and everyone in it, the world, and everything on it will listen. The LORD is angry with all the nations. He is furious with all their armies. He has claimed them for destruction. He has handed them over to be slaughtered. Their dead bodies will be thrown out. A stench will rise from their corpses. Mountains will be red with their blood" Isaiah 34:1-3 (God's Word). Lord, teach me to treat you with the respect, submission, and faithfulness that is due the ruler of the universe.

Isaiah 33:22 (God's Word) Originally published 02/06/2013  Perhaps we should not get so upset about our government, courts, or leaders because Isaiah reminds God's people, "The LORD is our judge. The LORD is our lawgiver. The LORD is our king. The LORD is our savior" Isaiah 33:22 (God's Word). Lord, help me to remember that this world is not my permanent home.

 Isaiah 30:1 (God's Word) Originally published 02/05/2013 I see people trying their very best, but horrible things keep happening. This is the first thing to consider. "How horrible it will be for those rebellious children. They carry out plans, but not mine.  They make alliances against my will. They pile sin on top of sin" Isaiah 30:1 (God's Word). Lord, please make clear to me the difference between your plans and mine, and give me the faith to follow you no matter how impossible it seems.

Isaiah 29:15 (God's Word) Originally published 02/04/2013 “How horrible it will be for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD. Their deeds are done in the dark, and they say, 'No one can see us.' and 'No one can recognize us’” Isaiah 29:15 (God's Word). Lord, remind me constantly that you hear all that I think and see all that I do. I know that I have to answer to you for my life, so give me purity of heart and mind.

Isaiah 25:8 (God's Word) Originally published 02/02/2013 The tragedy of death is constantly around us. Isaiah foretold that God would defeat death. "He will swallow up death forever. The Almighty Lord will wipe away tears from every face, and he will remove the disgrace of his people from the whole earth. The LORD has spoken" Isaiah 25:8 (God's Word). Lord, when I face difficult situations, remind me of the great power you have to defeat even death. Teach me to trust you.

Isaiah 24:21-22 (God's Word) Originally published 02/01/2013 It does seem that things are out of control in this world, but God told Isaiah long ago that no one and nothing in the whole universe will escape his judgment. "On that day the Lord will punish heaven's armies in heaven and earth's kings on earth. They'll be gathered like prisoners in a jail and locked in prison. After a long time they'll be punished" Isaiah 24:21-22 (God's Word). Lord, constantly remind me that nothing in the universe is out of your control.

 Isaiah 21:25 (God's Word) Originally published 01/31/2013  I counted 13 nations on which Isaiah was told to pronounce judgment. These were powerful countries, but only Damascus and Egypt are names that people would recognize today. Who of us could believe that the U. S., Russia, England, China or other world powers would disappear from world history in a thousand years? I am sure these people did not believe what Isaiah said either. "The Lord of Armies declares, 'On that day the peg which I firmly fastened in place will be removed. It will be cut off and will fall, and everything hanging on it will be destroyed.' The LORD has spoken" Isaiah 21:25 (God's Word). Lord, help me to believe that your words are more real than what I can touch and see.

 Isaiah 19:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 01/30/2013 When I look at the news, the world seems in chaos and turmoil. I read today from Isaiah 15-20 how the ‘Lord of Armies’ was going to punish Moab, Damascus, Sudan, and Egypt. His way of ‘fighting’ would be different. "The leaders of Zoan are nothing but fools. The wisest of Pharaoh's counselors gives stupid advice. Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you. Let them explain what the Lord of Armies is planning against Egypt" Isaiah 19:11-12 (God's Word). Lord, forgive me for forgetting you are at work in world history just because I cannot see it in the news. I know that your plan will be accomplished.

Isaiah 16:1 (God's Word) Originally published 01/29/2013 Sometimes it seems like the powerful and evil people get away with whatever they want. But unseen by us or the media, God is at work. "Ruthless people will come to an end. The destruction will end. The one who tramples others will be gone” Isaiah 16:4 (God's Word). Lord, help me not to get upset or want revenge when I see evil and injustice, but to trust you to do what you promised.

Isaiah 12:2 (God's Word) Originally published 01/28/2013  I was thinking of some very big and important things that I face, and I have no idea what to do. Today I read this. "Look! God is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid, because the Lord is my strength and my song. He is my Savior" Isaiah 12:2 (God's Word). Lord, thank you for reminding me that you have promised to provide what I cannot provide. Just show me the first thing to do, and I will do that.

Isaiah 11:6-9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/26/2013  In a world where our human nature fuels constant conflict this is what God plans for those who follow him. "Wolves will live with lambs. Leopards will lie down with goats. Calves, young lions, and year-old lambs will be together, and little children will lead them. Cows and bears will eat together. Their young will lie down together. Lions will eat straw like oxen. Infants will play near cobras' holes. Toddlers will put their hands into vipers' nests. They will not hurt or destroy anyone anywhere on my holy mountain. The world will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord like water covering the sea" Isaiah 11:6-9 (God's Word). Lord, make me an agent of peace.

Isaiah 8:12b-14a (God's Word) Originally published 01/25/2013 God saves and destroys. ". . . ‘Don't fear what they fear. Don't let it terrify you.’ Remember that the Lord of Armies is holy. He is the one you should fear and the one you should be terrified of. He will be a place of safety for you. But he will be a rock that makes people trip..." Isaiah 8:12b-14a (God’s Word). Lord, help me to do what you show me is right so that you will be my safety.

 Isaiah 7:7 (God's Word) Originally published 01/24/2013   King Ahaz, King David's grandson, was being attacked by the kings of Aram and Samaria. They intended to divide the nation of Judah between themselves so the nation of Judah would be no more. But God had plans for Judah and sent Isaiah the prophet to say, "This is what the Almighty Lord says: It won't take place; it won't happen" Isaiah 7:7 (God's Word).   And it didn't happen! Lord, what a wonderful comfort to know that when I am faithful and obedient, your plans for my life will be accomplished.

Isaiah 6:8-9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/23/2013  Isaiah was in the Temple, and supreme majesty and greatness of God overwhelmed him. "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom will I send? Who will go for us?’ I said, 'Here I am. Send me!' And he said, 'Go and tell these people, , , ," Isaiah 6:8-9 (God's Word). Something similar happened to me. God said, "I do not want you to be a farmer or lawyer, but to tell people who I am and how to live for me." I said, "I will go." Every day I say, "Lord, who can I tell today?"

Isaiah 5:20 (God's Word) Originally published 01/22/2013 People haven't changed. Isaiah the prophet wrote this 2700 years ago: "How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter" Isaiah 5:20 (God's Word). God has not changed either. It will still be destructive to those who ignore what God says is right and wrong. Lord, protect me from living by the standards of our culture, and help me live by what you say is true.

 Isaiah 2:12 (God's Word) Originally published 01/21/2013 Every one of us will answer to God for the way we live. "The Lord of Armies will have his day against all who are arrogant and conceited and all who are proud of themselves (they will be humbled), . . ." Isaiah 2:12 (God's Word). Lord, give me a humble spirit of obedience to you and service to others.

 Isaiah 1:3 (God's Word) Originally published 01/19/2013  "Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn't know its owner. My people don't understand who feeds them” Isaiah 1:3 (God’s Word). Lord, don't let me forget that you have bought me at a great cost, and all that I have comes from you.

Song of Songs 8:6-7 (God's Word) Originally published 01/18/2013 This is the powerful love that God gives to those who obey him. "Wear me as a signet ring on your heart, as a ring on your hand. Love is as overpowering as death. Devotion is as unyielding as the grave. Love's flames are flames of fire, flames that come from the Lord. Raging water cannot extinguish love, and rivers will never wash it away. If a man exchanged all his family's wealth for love, people would utterly despise him” Song of Songs 8: 6-7 (God’s Word). Lord, give me your kind of love for my wife.

 Song of Songs 5:16 (God's Word) Originally published 01/17/2013 Song of Songs is a love story. The bride says of her beloved, “Everything about him is desirable!” Song of Songs 5:16 (God’s Word). We know that is only the way she sees him since all people have flaws.  Lord thank you for helping us see past the flaws in each other and to see the good and the value, enabling us to cherish each other.

Song of Songs 2:16 (God's Word Translation) Originally published 01/16/2013 "My beloved is mine, and I am his" Song of Songs 2:16 (God's Word). This is God's description of a marriage relationship. Lord, let nothing, or no one, but you be more important to me than my wife.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (God's Word) Originally published 01/15/2013  "After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad" Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (God's Word). Lord, keep reminding me that I am accountable to you as the one who made me. . . for not only what I do, but what I think.