Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. …
3 Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Observation: Bel was the national god of the Babylonians. Nebo was a Chaldean god that was introduced to Assyria by one of their kings. The ruins of a great temple can be seen today. In the book of Isaiah we read of one great difference between these gods and the God of the Israelites. Their gods had to be carried; Israel’s God carried them! Their gods totally depended on the worshippers to carry them. The Israelites could totally depend on their God to carry them! What a difference!

Application: I have served God all my life. As a child I accepted Jesus into my heart and through good and bad times He never moved out! He “upheld” me as a child; he still “sustains” me and my grey hair. If one speaks of faithfulness; God is faithful! In many religions today, worshippers serve their gods out of fear. But out of great love, my God serves me! Wow!

Prayer: Lord, it is no wonder I love you want to serve you! Your faithfulness to me can be easily seen. I want my faithfulness to you to be easily seen too. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!