Short Daily Devotions for Our Daily with Christ

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2022

TEXT: Isaiah 63:1-11

1. Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.

2. Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?

3. I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.

4. For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come.

5. 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.

6. I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.

7. I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

8. For he said, Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely. And he became their Savior.

9. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in is love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

10. But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.

11. Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit.

(English Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: THE KING’S REWARD

Earthly kings can resort to nepotism in rewarding their subjects. But our heavenly king exhibits the highest standard in rewarding His subjects. He will appear to the wicked as an avenger because He will avenge the wickedness done to the saints.

The people of Edom are an example of such wicked people (vs. 1-3 and Obadiah vs 10-12). He comes like a mighty warrior, saying, “vengeance is mine” (Romans 12:19c).

This is true justice – you reap what you sow. It is very unfortunate that the reverse is the case in our country as people are judged according to who they are and not what they do. But our heavenly King has rewards for the faithful. They will be redeemed from their long suffering and rewarded by the just King without favoritism.

Therefore, we should celebrate even in the midst of persecution. One day it will be over and we shall rejoice forever.

QUESTION: Are you the persecutor or the persecuted?

PRAYER: O Lord, help us to endure persecution for our faith because it will soon be over and we shall be rewarded with glorious and everlasting happiness.