Lessons from Isaiah Learn to Discern How many a man, whose conceit is great, thinks he has reached the limits of knowledge, when further investigation would open to him a continent of truth before unknown. (Bp. Simpson) August 6, 2017

Isaiah 26:7 The path of the righteous is level; You make level the way of the righteous.

Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear in the morning of Your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.

Isaiah 26:8 In the path of Your judgments, O Lord, we wait for You; Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.

Isaiah 26:9 My soul yearns for You in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks You. For when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Isaiah 26:9 My soul yearns for You in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks You. For when Your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 27:6 In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit.

Isaiah 27:11(b) For this is a people without discernment; therefore He who made them will not have compassion on them; He who formed them will show them no favor.

Deuteronomy 32:28-29 For they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!

Philippians 1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Hebrews 5:13-14 …for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Choices Speak life or death Yield to temptation or resist Hold our temper or let it fly Choose to be offended or overlook Give grace or judgment Love or condemn

Choices Serve or be self-focused Walk in humility or pride Forgive or become bitter Choose truth or lies Repent or keep on walking in error Evaluate the outcome or blindly keep on going

Seems Clear to Me Abound in love and discernment – Philippians 1:9-10 Discernment trained by constant practice – Hebrews 5:13-14 Learn God’s will by a renewed mind – Romans 12:2 Think spiritually – 1 Corinthians 2:14

Isaiah 27:11(b) For this is a people without discernment; therefore He who made them will not have compassion on them; He who formed them will show them no favor.

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.

For Our Consideration Are we on the right path? Are we seeking the Lord? Are we in any sort of disobedience right now? How is our discernment level? How do we grow and mature in discernment?

Prayer Focus Thank You Lord for Your word to lead, guide and instruct us Thank You for adoption into Your family Thank You for Your great love, grace, mercy and kindness Thank You for today