SEPTEMBER 22, 2024
READ: Isaiah 45 (Focus vs. 20-25)
MEMORY VERSE
“Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” Isaiah 45:23
BACKGROUND
With a worldwide audience estimated in the billions, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was possibly the most watched broadcast in history. One million people lined London’s streets on that day, and 250,000 queued for hours that week to see the Queen’s coffin.
A historic five hundred kings, queens, presidents, and other heads of state came to pay tribute to a woman known for her strength and character.
As the world turned its gaze to Great Britain and its departing queen, my thoughts turned to another event—a royal return.
A day is coming, we’re told, when the nations will gather to recognize a far greater Monarch (Isaiah 45:20-22).
A leader of strength and character (v. 24), before Him “every knee will bow” and by Him “every tongue will swear” (v. 23), including the world’s leaders, who’ll pay Him tribute and lead their nations to walk in His light (Revelation 21:24, 26).
Not all will welcome this Monarch’s arrival, but those who do will enjoy His reign forever (Isaiah 45:24-25).
Just as the world gathered to watch a queen leave, one day it will see its ultimate King return. What a day that will be—when one and all, in heaven and on earth, bow to Jesus Christ and recognize Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
By: Sheridan Voysey
INSIGHT
In Isaiah 45:21-22, we read, “There is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; . . . Turn to me and be saved, . . . for I am God, and there is no other.” God is righteous (just) and merciful (He saves).
Through Jesus’ death, justice and mercy meet. He declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Paul affirmed, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
We’re reconciled to God only through faith in Christ’s payment for our sins on the cross. There’s nothing we can do to earn salvation: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:5).
By: Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
Why do you think Queen Elizabeth II was honored so much? What should it look like to follow Jesus as King today?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“Just as the world gathered to watch a queen (Elizabeth) leave, one day it will see its ultimate King return.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“…This Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into Heaven.” Acts 1:11
PRAYER
“Dear Jesus, I bow to You today, honoring You as the ultimate King of the world and rightful Ruler of my life.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM” Sandi Patty
The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise
The sweet light in His eyes,
Shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him, then face to face
O we shall behold Him, we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
O we shall behold Him, yes we shall behold Him
Face to face, our Savior and Lord
The angel will sound, the shout of His coming
And the sleeping shall rise, from there slumbering place
And those remaining, shall be changed in a moment
And we shall behold Him, then face to face
We shall behold Him, o yes we shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory
We shall behold Him, face to face
Our Savior and Lord
We shall behold Him,
Our Savior and Lord
Savior and Lord!
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ROMANS 5
