Here’s an interesting idea: yes, we can complain and rant – but direct it to God instead of to other people. It’s much less destructive, and much more effective. God is a great listener and really the only one who can give a Just answer or solution to our issues.

Sometimes, the solution comes in the form of renewing our perspective, seeing the bigger picture, gratitude, and then the strengthening of our faith.

Side Note: I don’t have much right to rant, I’m not exactly hiding in a cave, in fear for my life, falsely accused of crimes.

Don’t be quickly shaken or alarmed when someone says that ‘the day’ has come. It will, but not until some events have happened. And even when it does, it will be over right away because as soon as Jesus comes He will end the ‘man of lawlessness’.

But be aware, there will be false signs and wonders, deception, and refusal to believe in the truth because of the pleasure that is brought about by what is false.

Stand firm, hold on.

This chapter is a bit “jumpy” – moving from one thought to another. Sounds like me.

First part talks about the Lord, how he brought vengeance, redemption. His clothes red with blood. This is no slap in the wrist. Verse 5 speaks to me, stirs something in me. Probably because of how God wired me, I understand this, “I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭63‬:‭5‬ ESV)

Isaiah remembers the love, goodness, compassion of God. Then he remembers how we rebel and grieve the Holy Spirit. Then how God has shown his power and strength. Then asks for mercy, for God to come and bring His kingdom. Then remembers again how unworthy, unclean, we are before a holy, immortal, all powerful God. Then makes another plea for compassion.

I think this is what it means to worship in spirit and in truth. This is true prayer.

God is concerned about numbers – because He is concerned about each person represented by each number.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (‭Psalm‬ ‭141‬:‭3-4‬ ESV)

Help me to guard my words, my actions, and my heart. This is a confession that I may not always realize right away that what I have said, or am thinking or doing, is wrong. Send people – and I should be surrounding myself with them – who love you and love me enough to rebuke me. May I respond with humility and gladness.