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<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">“<b>TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Tel:
<a href="tel:253-517-9195" target="_blank">253-517-9195</a> - Email:
<a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com" target="_blank">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Web:
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">December 7, 2012</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
<br></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
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</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>JUL
18 - ISAIAH 42-45 - JEHOVAH SUPREME IN REDEMPTION</b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>1.
42:1 (42:1-12, ESV) JEHOVAH: PRESENTS MESSIAH HIS SERVANT AS MAN.
<font size="3">“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom
my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth
justice to the nations.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
according to Your purpose, Jesus came. He fulfilled </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
You purposed! He </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">finished</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the work You sent Him to do. Three times from heaven, You commended
Him! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">2.
42:6-8 (42:13-25) JEHOVAH AT THE END OF THIS AGE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“I
am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by
the hand and keep you; I will give you </span></font><font size="3"><u>as
a covenant</u></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
for the people, a light for the nations, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">7
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">to
open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the
dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">8
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">I am
the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise
to carved idols.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
in the above, </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:kingdom come!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
43:1-2 (43:1-12) JEHOVAH: THE GOD OF GRACE AND HIS PROMISES. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">But
now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed
you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called
you by name, you are mine. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">2
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the
rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you
shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Always
Father, You meet our needs, </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">just
as those of Israel</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your :will
be done, As in heaven, so on earth!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
43:18-21 (43:13-28) JEHOVAH: KING OF ISRAEL WHO SUBDUES THEIR
ENEMIES. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Remember
not the former things, nor consider the things of old. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">19
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Behold,
I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">20
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">The
wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give
water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my
chosen people, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">21
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">the
people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
</span></font><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our :daily
:bread Give us this day!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
44:3 (44:1-8) JEHOVAH: GRACIOUS ASSURANCES FROM GOD ALONE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your
descendants.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Our
Father, how we see Your care for us in such promises! How we marvel
at Your grace and loving kindness (CHEsed), Your Covenant Love! We
walk in thanksgiving and praise to You. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
forgive us our :debts, As we have forgiven our :debtors.</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
44:22 (44:9-23) JEHOVAH: SCORES IDOLATRY BUT REDEEMS ISRAEL. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“I
have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like
a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” </span></font></b><u><span style="font-weight:normal">This</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is Your Redemptive Act O Father, in Jesus! It has translated us out
of Satan’s kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of Your
love! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
bring us not into temptation!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
44:28 (44:24-45:25) JEHOVAH: FORETELLS HIS USE OF CYRUS. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Who
says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my
purpose;” saying of Jerusalem, “</span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">She
shall be built,” and of the temple, “Your foundation shall be
laid.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
marvelous foreknowledge and power You display in Your decrees, O
Father! What other god is El like You? </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">None</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">But deliver
us from the evil </span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">one!</span></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
45:22-23; 45:2 (44:24-45:25) JEHOVAH THE OMNIPOTENT! </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Turn
to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and
there is no other. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">23
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">By
myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a
word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every
tongue shall swear allegiance.’ </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">2
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">I will
go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces
the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.” </span></font></b><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
are </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">this God</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
- the God we serve! </span></span></font></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the day: 18:3 (18) JEHOVAH IS MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS!
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“I call
upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my
enemies.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Jehovah Father, You have done marvelously on behalf of Your chosen
ones! None other can cause us </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">to
</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">triumph
in Christ as You are able to do! </span></span><u><b><i>Hallowed</i></b></u><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
be your :name!</b></span></i></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">We
will call it “The Grateful Retrospect.”</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:2
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>The Lord is my
rock, and my fortress. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Dwelling
among the crags and mountain fastnesses of Judea, David had escaped
the malice of Saul, and here he com</span><span style="text-decoration:none">par</span><span style="text-decoration:none">es
his God to such a place of concealment and security.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:4
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>The floods of the
ungodly men made me afraid. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">On
the night of the lamentable accident at the Surrey Music Hall, the
floods of Belial were let loose, and the subsequent remarks of a
large portion of the press were exceedingly malicious and wicked; our
soul was afraid as we stood encompassed with the sorrows of death and
the blasphemies of the cruel. But, oh, what mercy was there in it
all, and what honey of goodness was extracted by our Lord out of this
flood of affliction.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:5
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>The sorrows of hell
compassed me about. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">A
cordon of devils hemmed in the hunted man of God; every way of escape
was closed up. Satan knows how to block our coasts with the iron
war-ships of sorrow, but blessed be God, the port of all prayer is
still open, and grace can run the blockade bearing messages from
earth to heaven and blessings in return from heaven to
earth. According to the four metaphors which he employs, he was
bound like a malefactor for execution; overwhelmed like a shipwrecked
mariner; surrounded and standing at bay like a hunted stag; and
captured in a net like a trembling bird. What more of terror and
distress could meet upon one, defenseless head?</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:18
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>They prevented me
in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">What
a blessed “but” which cuts the Gordian knot and slays the
hundred-headed hydra! There is no fear of deliverance when our stay
is in Jehovah.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:19
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>He brought me forth
also into a large place. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">The
Lord does not leave His work half done, for having routed the foe, He
leads out the captive into liberty. </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>He
delivered me, because He delighted in me. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Why
Jehovah should delight in us is an answerless question, a mystery
which angels cannot solve. Believer, sit down, and inwardly digest
the instructive sentence now before us, and learn to view the
uncaused love of God as the cause of all the lovingkindness of which
we are partakers.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">18:20
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>The Lord rewarded
me according to my righteousness. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Viewing
this Psalm as prophetic of the Messiah, these strongly expressed
claims to righteousness are readily understood, for His garments were
white as snow; but considered as the language of David, they have
perplexed many. David’s early trouble arose from the wicked malice
of envious Saul, who no doubt prosecuted his persecutions under cover
of charges brought against the character of “the man after God’s
own heart.” These charges David declares to have been utterly false
and asserts that he possessed a grace-given righteousness which the
Lord had graciously rewarded in defiance of all his calumniators.
Before God, the man after God’s own heart was a humble sinner, but
before his slanderers he could with unblushing face speak of the
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>cleanness of his
hands and</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"> the
righteousness of his life. It is not at all an opposition to the
doctrine of salvation by grace, and no sort of evidence of a
pharisaic spirit, when a gracious man, having been slandered, stoutly
maintains his integrity and vigorously defends his character. </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>(from
“The Treasury of David” by C. H. Spurgeon, abridged by D. O.
Fuller)</b></span></font></font></p>
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</p>
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