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Day 328 (Isaiah 32:1-20) Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. The eyes of those who see will not be dim, and the ears of those who hear will listen. Also, the heart of the rash will understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers will be ready to speak plainly. The foolish person will no longer be called generous, nor the miser said to be bountiful; for the foolish person will speak foolishness, and his heart will work iniquity: to practice ungodliness, to utter error against the LORD, to keep the hungry unsatisfied, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail. Also, the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity, he will stand. Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. In a year and some days, you will be troubled, you complacent women; for the vintage will fail, and the gathering will not come. Tremble, you women who are at ease; be troubled, you complacent ones; strip yourselves, make yourselves bare, and gird sackcloth on your waists. People will mourn for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine. On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, and the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks— until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, though hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. When you turn on your televisions, or radios, or turn to the Internet for your news, you see and hear about the corruption and lies of your leaders. You see the poor struggling to survive while the rich prey on them, taking everything they have. Yet, in the middle of the chaos, you hear about the generous heart, people who help those in need, and people who refuse to become victims of those who want to destroy their lives. They see hope as they stand for what is right and good. Isaiah painted a picture of the people of his day, the wickedness, and the strength of the people, those who trusted God and those who didn’t. You also see this as a picture of the times we live in; the corruption, lies, evil schemes, heartache, hope, generosity, and strength. As Christians, you can stand against Satan’s evil schemes. With the Holy Spirit, you can discern the truth from the lie. Satan’s schemes will come to nothing when God pours His Spirit into your lives. Then no matter what Satan tries to do, God will prevail, and you will know His blessing in your life. Satan’s schemes will fail because God will always triumph in your life when you put your faith and trust in Him. Let’s pray: Father, open my eyes to Satan’s schemes in my life and the world around me. Let me be a light in the middle of the chaos, shining Your light on wickedness, and bringing Your truth to those seeking hope. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 6 June 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay