Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled.

Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the Lord and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face. 9The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves.

The people of Judah are his pleasant garden. He expected a crop of justice, but instead he found oppression. He expected to find righteousness, but instead he heard cries of violence.

Lord God my Father,

You are God, perfect Peace and Love. Keep me close so I can carry your Truth in my walk today. Keep me from stumbling and being led away from you this day. Help me to prune my life and carry the harvest to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.”

Does a farmer always plow and never sow?

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom.

You must worship only the Lord your God. He is the one who will rescue you from all your enemies.”

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

19If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. 20But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.

I, the Lord, have spoken!”

Lord God my Father,

Keep me from my own beliefs and keep me under your protection and influence. Allow your Truth to guide me and make me obedient. Your teachings are perfect, open my mind to accept them. Restore me to your design and protect me from the deceiver.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Because of your great sin and hostility, you say, “The prophets are crazy and the inspired men are fools!”

Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’

“You are about to be destroyed, O Israel— yes, by me, your only helper.

Lord God my Father,

Protect me under your authority and keep my sin nature away from my thoughts. Soften my way so your will is the only one in me and draw me closer to your delightful way.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame!

Their arrogance testifies against them, yet they don’t return to the Lord their God or even try to find him.

Lord God my Father,

Make my sin obvious to me so I may own it and give it to you. I want to live only under your authority and pray for your protection.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”

Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made.

I even gave her silver and gold. But she gave all my gifts to Baal.

Lord God my Father,

Cause me to be still and know you, direct my thoughts and actions. Protect my attitude and fill me so powerfully with your Love that I can only smile this day. Move me closer to you and farther from deceit.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“My care for the people of Judah is like the gently flowing waters of Shiloah, but they have rejected it.

For they are all wicked hypocrites, and they all speak foolishness.

Lord God my Father,

Restore your place on my heart so I may share you well. Remove my wicked desires and allow your Peace to be my strength.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God.

And why is this happening?

Because of the rebellion of Israel1:5 Hebrew Jacob; also in 1:5b. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.—

yes, the sins of the whole nation.

Who is to blame for Israel’s rebellion?

Samaria, its capital city!

Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm.”

Lord God my Father,

Give me an obedient heart, protect me from a wondering desire. Help me to rest and not rebel against your desire for me. Give me a faith that stands against compromise.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“O Sovereign Lord, please forgive us or we will not survive, for Israel7:2 Hebrew Jacob; also in :5. See note on 3:13. is so small.” 3So the Lord relented from this plan. “I will not do it,” he said.

And the Lord replied, “I will test my people with this plumb line. I will no longer ignore all their sins. 9The pagan shrines of your ancestors7:9 Hebrew of Isaac. will be ruined, and the temples of Israel will be destroyed; I will bring the dynasty of King Jeroboam to a sudden end.”

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”

I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

9And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people,

Lord God my Father,

Oh, I am a sinner and I need your Truth to guide me. Forgive me from my past and allow me to live today as you desire, I wish to live your will today. I know your power is perfect and my only hope is in you. Use me as you wish and give me the courage and strength needed to overcome my nature.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

“I brought hunger to every city and famine to every town. But still you would not return to me,” says the Lord.

How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth! 11You trample the poor,

So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil time. 14Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!

Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. 15Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice.

I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.

Lord God my Father,

Cause me to return to you wholeheartedly and live my your desire. Keep me from speaking without your desire behind the words. Help me to do your will alone and be fair and just.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Amaziah did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there.

Amaziah did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, but not wholeheartedly.

“Why do you turn to gods who could not even save their own people from you?”

16But the king interrupted him and said, “Since when have I made you the king’s counselor? Be quiet now before I have you killed!”

So the prophet stopped with this warning: “I know that God has determined to destroy you because you have done this and have refused to accept my counsel.”

But Amaziah refused to listen, for God was determined to destroy him for turning to the gods of Edom.

I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.”

I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”

Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.

Lord God my Father,

Help me to know and destroy all of the false idols I may carry and only have you as my God. Give me discernment to only desire your pleasing way and strength to avoid distraction. Guide and direct my attention and make me stubborn in your way alone. Make me obedient to you.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen