If you would please open your Bibles to the book of Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 44.

If you're new to the Bible that's in your Old Testament, it's one of my very favorite books of the Old Testament. It is

glorious in how much it tells us about God, about the Messiah, about the future. It's powerful.

Isaiah chapter 44, starting in verse 6,

Isaiah 44, six.

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts.

I am the first and I am the last. Besides me there is no God. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and

set it before me. Since I appointed an ancient people let them declare what is to

come and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid,

for have I not told you from of old and declared it, and you are my witnesses is there a god besides me there is no rock I know not any

as far as the reading of God's holy word, let's pray.

Lord, this is your word. You have spoken.

You've condescended, you have revealed yourself to us. Lord this word that you've given to us is a gift. We

acknowledge that. We are so thankful for that. We recognize God that our only boast is in Jesus Christ, the

gift of eternal life we have in you through faith in Jesus and so we are your children, called by your name,

blessed by you, loved by you, and so we come to you and seek your face help us to understand. Help us to know

what you say about yourself, your nature. Help us to be able to defend it. Lord

help us to have this these truths of who you are very deep within us.

Lord, I pray that you would allow me to get out of the way.

You would speak through your word today.

Help your people to remember what you said.

And forget me.

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