Sreedhar's Journey

There is a famous song by Frank Sinatra called "My Way".  I have seen many senior people in my country Malaysia use this song in karaoke sessions.  It is almost sung with arrogance to say that what they have accomplished is due to their ingenuity and the work of their hands.  They neglect to see and acknowledge the "hidden hand" like many from ancient times.  And yes, God has intervened in history for the sake of His people and kingdom. Isaiah 22:11 You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. Much of people of Jerusalem's defense was based on their own ingenuity and design.  The people of Jerusalem tried different ways to defend themselves but they were being admonished by Isaiah's words that said they were were not looking to the one that "made it" and "planned it". I am again reminded of the pass...

Things can get very grim, very fast.  This is especially so when people are against you.  Enemies are ready to take a pound of your flesh and do evil against you and your plans.  That is the story of the Babylonians and the like. Isaiah 21:7-9 And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, A chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels, And he listened earnestly with great care. Then he cried, “A lion, my Lord! I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime; I have sat at my post every night. And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen!” Then he answered and said, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground.” What is the point of you gaining the whole world and losing your soul. Paul the Apostle's message is clear as recorded in the New Testament. You may think highly of yourself today. The world may present you with many accolades, but ultimately your superiority can...

Learn from history is what we are continually told from years past. But what do we do? We fail to learn from the failures and victories. I suppose we are poor learners in general. Isaiah 20:5-6, Then they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation and Egypt their glory. And the inhabitant of this territory will say in that day, ‘Surely such is our expectation, wherever we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria; and how shall we escape?’ Here we have Isaiah symbolically showing the people of Israel that they should be ashamed of trusting in the Egyptians and the Cushites. No, trust in the Lord only. Man may fail but God never. It may be difficult for a period of time but God is there always to provide us the peace that passes all understanding. Every issue and every anxiety are with you Lord. Father, my entire ways and approach must be to trust in You only. 

When I noticed and Egyptian cotton shirts it did not occur to me to think about how it got to be called Egyptian. As I read this passage of scripture written more than 500 years before Christ, I realize how ancient this industry was in Egypt. Isaiah 19:24-25 In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” The other more shocking statement is the turning off the hearts of Egyptians and the Assyrians to God, and the building of the peace highway between them through Israel. I noticed this passage 3 years ago. Miracles do happen and the great wise men of Egypt could not figure it out. This miracle can and will happen. I need to continue praying for West Asia and the Northern Africa region. A political hotbed for a reason, but ready for revival. Father, continue to intervene for the worl...

I was just speaking with a friend last night and we noted how God can bring the nations together for the sake of the kingdom.  There is really little that divides us except our human need or tendencies for position and power.  If all would demonstrate humility and care for others, we would be a united world walking in God's ways. Isaiah 18:7 In that time a present will be brought to the Lord of hosts From a people tall and smooth of skin, And from a people terrible from their beginning onward, A nation powerful and treading down, Whose land the rivers divide— To the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, To Mount Zion. A friend on Easter Sunday exclaimed how tall an African man was when she noticed him after church. A Cushite? A nation tall and smooth? These are the black Africans referred to that lived along the Nile. A mighty empire at one time based on history. Yet they were to bring tributes to Israel. God has His way of taking us from a point of to...

Have you ever depended on someone or something and saw that your dependence was all in vain?  Yes, disappointment can come when you least expect it, especially if you have been told over many years that you could trust the person or the piece of equipment from a respected brand name.  How about a belief system?  You could have looked to something and trusted it for years, but it never quite gave you clear certainties.  It is time to clarity and be certain. Isaiah 17:7-8 In that day a man will look to his Maker, And his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel. He will not look to the altars, The work of his hands; He will not respect what his fingers have made, Nor the wooden images nor the incense altars. When you hear of the future destruction of Damascus, what do you do? You Google the phrase and this is what I got . As we hear of everything that is happening today in Syria, it makes you think that the fulfillment of this prophesy is ...

It is only human to try and justify your actions.  Even if they are wrong.  Our tendencies are to make sure we look "good".  However, it will yield negative results.  If the condition is bad, say so.  Enough of boasting. Enough of pride. We may be the only one ready to face the facts and say something needs to change. Isaiah 16:14, But now the Lord has spoken, saying, “Within three years, as the years of a hired man, the glory of Moab will be despised with all that great multitude, and the remnant will be very small and feeble.” The chapter refers to a people that have a long history of conflict with the people of Israel. They occupy territory to the south east of Israel. The Moabites are related to the Israelites in the distant past. Moab was the son of Lot the nephew of Abraham. Perhaps there was envy. But certainly the lineage had something to do with the blessings they received. But they moved away from the God of their heritage.  Judgement cam...