Reading: Jeremiah 52
My Verse: 52: 3 "For all this came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah because of the anger of the Lord, and He cast them out from His presence."
This final chapter of Jeremiah is so sad, yet it speaks, Lord, of Your Righteousness and Holiness. You gave Israel's King Zedekiah a way out, he chose not to take it. The consequence of that decision was enslavement. Even though he was a king, he was put to the mill just like Samson.
What a picture - such a perfect illustration of what happens to man when he turns You away. We become enslaved to sin, just as You say we will.
Then at the end of the chapter, that picture of Your love. Your desire to care for us. King Nebuchadrezzar brought Judah's King Jehoiakim out of prison and provided for him "all the days of his life." (v. 34)
Oh, Lord, You are a God of love. It is our sin and disobedience that shuts You out of our lives. If we would only yeild to You, then we can " . . . look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead -Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath which is coming and draws us to Himself." (I Thessalonians 1:10)
You deisre to save us!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
For Your Day Has Come
Jeremiah 50, 51
My Verse: 50:34 "Their Redeemer is Strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name."
These two huge chapters are entirely devoted to the downfall of Babylon that city "embellished with ornaments more than any other city." That city which was "the hammer of the whole earth" (50:23), so great was its power.
Verse 50:11 saya, "Though you are glad, though, you rejoice, O you who plunder My heritage, though you are wanton and skip about like heifers at grass and neigh like strong stallions." God goes on to warn in verse 31, "Behold I am against you Babylon . . . for your day has come."
Oh Lord, You are indeed strong and ALL Mighty God. No man or nation can stand against You.
"For your day has come" - is a day we each must face. I am so thankful it doesn't have to be for punishment.
For You said, "And I will bring Israel [home] again to his fold and pasturage, . . . and his soul will be satified . .. " (v. 19). Again You say, "My people come out of the midst of her!" (v. 51:45) This speaks of bringing Israel out of the heathen sinful nations.
What a great foreshadowing of Your Church today! "Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth] shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!" (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
You, Lord, are indeed Lord of Host and this great day will come!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 50:34 "Their Redeemer is Strong; the Lord of Hosts is His name."
These two huge chapters are entirely devoted to the downfall of Babylon that city "embellished with ornaments more than any other city." That city which was "the hammer of the whole earth" (50:23), so great was its power.
Verse 50:11 saya, "Though you are glad, though, you rejoice, O you who plunder My heritage, though you are wanton and skip about like heifers at grass and neigh like strong stallions." God goes on to warn in verse 31, "Behold I am against you Babylon . . . for your day has come."
Oh Lord, You are indeed strong and ALL Mighty God. No man or nation can stand against You.
"For your day has come" - is a day we each must face. I am so thankful it doesn't have to be for punishment.
For You said, "And I will bring Israel [home] again to his fold and pasturage, . . . and his soul will be satified . .. " (v. 19). Again You say, "My people come out of the midst of her!" (v. 51:45) This speaks of bringing Israel out of the heathen sinful nations.
What a great foreshadowing of Your Church today! "Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth] shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!" (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
You, Lord, are indeed Lord of Host and this great day will come!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
God is Lord of ALL the Earth
Jeremiah 45 - 49 My Verse: 46:27 ". . . I will save you from afar . . . "
These chapters are an amazing account of God's omnipotence. The prophecies of the nations - their destruction and for some restoration, is an incredible illustration of You, My God. Makes me feel insignificant. Yet, You, Lord tell us often throughout Your word that we are of great import to You.
It makes no difference where we are physically in the world - You can save us. Even though the Israelites were being carried off to a foriegn land You promised them, "Fear not O Jacob My servant says the LORD, for I am with you." (46:28)
And so You promise us, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down!" (Hebrews 13:5) Lord, You are so wonderful to assure us in this way. You know how and when we need to hear those words.
I Peter 2:5 says, "Come and like living stones be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ." Lord, You call us to You. You tell us here that we are each a living stone, being fashioned for a specific role in the big picture. From this I understand that You call me and You deal with me as an idividual as You dealt with and continue to deal with the nations.
You, God are Lord of all the earth but You also attend to each human being - and call each of us to You.
Thank You for that.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
These chapters are an amazing account of God's omnipotence. The prophecies of the nations - their destruction and for some restoration, is an incredible illustration of You, My God. Makes me feel insignificant. Yet, You, Lord tell us often throughout Your word that we are of great import to You.
It makes no difference where we are physically in the world - You can save us. Even though the Israelites were being carried off to a foriegn land You promised them, "Fear not O Jacob My servant says the LORD, for I am with you." (46:28)
And so You promise us, "I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down!" (Hebrews 13:5) Lord, You are so wonderful to assure us in this way. You know how and when we need to hear those words.
I Peter 2:5 says, "Come and like living stones be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ." Lord, You call us to You. You tell us here that we are each a living stone, being fashioned for a specific role in the big picture. From this I understand that You call me and You deal with me as an idividual as You dealt with and continue to deal with the nations.
You, God are Lord of all the earth but You also attend to each human being - and call each of us to You.
Thank You for that.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, April 25, 2011
His Words Shall Stand.
Reading: Jeremiah 38 - 44
My Verse: 44:10 "They are not humbled even to this day, neither have they feared and revered [Me] nor walked in My law or My statues which I set before you and before your fathers."
This passage is such a tale of pathos. The Lord pleads with His people, "I [the Lord] am with you to save you and to deliver you from his hand." (42:11) he was trying to reassure them that He would protect them from the King of Babylon. But the people's response to Jeremiah and God was. "As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to or obey you." (44:16) The Lord then says they will be taken by the sword, by famine and pestilence and so the people "shall know whose words shall stand Mine or theirs." (verse 44:28) Oh, how stubborn we can be in the face of our sin!
But . . . thank you, Lord, for the bright lights. An Ethiopian eunuch, Ebed-melech was the hero. I love this story. Here he was a foreigner and a slave, yet he was a believer and acted as such. He told the king that Jeremiah should not die in the pit, and the king listened to him! The slave saved Jeremiah's life. God blessed Ebed-melech, "For I will surely deliver you and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be as a reward of battle to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord." (39:18)
I just couldn't stop reading, I was so drawn in by this story. It has real 'guts' as my son Ethan would say. I love a good story and Lord You are, of course the best of the best! Thank you for this wonderful Book! Your Word surely shall stand.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 44:10 "They are not humbled even to this day, neither have they feared and revered [Me] nor walked in My law or My statues which I set before you and before your fathers."
This passage is such a tale of pathos. The Lord pleads with His people, "I [the Lord] am with you to save you and to deliver you from his hand." (42:11) he was trying to reassure them that He would protect them from the King of Babylon. But the people's response to Jeremiah and God was. "As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to or obey you." (44:16) The Lord then says they will be taken by the sword, by famine and pestilence and so the people "shall know whose words shall stand Mine or theirs." (verse 44:28) Oh, how stubborn we can be in the face of our sin!
But . . . thank you, Lord, for the bright lights. An Ethiopian eunuch, Ebed-melech was the hero. I love this story. Here he was a foreigner and a slave, yet he was a believer and acted as such. He told the king that Jeremiah should not die in the pit, and the king listened to him! The slave saved Jeremiah's life. God blessed Ebed-melech, "For I will surely deliver you and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be as a reward of battle to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord." (39:18)
I just couldn't stop reading, I was so drawn in by this story. It has real 'guts' as my son Ethan would say. I love a good story and Lord You are, of course the best of the best! Thank you for this wonderful Book! Your Word surely shall stand.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Great and Might Things!
Reading: Jeremiah 33 - 37
My Verse: "Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know."
Oh, Lord, this verse tells me that You want so much to grow us, to answer our deepest questions. You want us to live rich and abundant lives. "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance." (John 10:10) I am intrigued by the "fenced in and hidden" things You wish us to know.
These chapters illustrate Your deep longing for the people Israel. You wanted so much to be in fellowship with them. "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them, so that each one may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." (36:3) Sadly they refused and had to be punished. So it is with us. You call us. And yet, "All like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way..." (Isaiah 53:6)
Easter is coming. Lord, I pray that as we celebrate this day - this day of Your victory over sin and death, we would keep our eyes focused on You and what You have done for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) I pray that we repent of our sins and seek after Your riches.
Oh, to delve into Your Word, to seek after those "great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden".
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know."
Oh, Lord, this verse tells me that You want so much to grow us, to answer our deepest questions. You want us to live rich and abundant lives. "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance." (John 10:10) I am intrigued by the "fenced in and hidden" things You wish us to know.
These chapters illustrate Your deep longing for the people Israel. You wanted so much to be in fellowship with them. "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them, so that each one may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." (36:3) Sadly they refused and had to be punished. So it is with us. You call us. And yet, "All like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way..." (Isaiah 53:6)
Easter is coming. Lord, I pray that as we celebrate this day - this day of Your victory over sin and death, we would keep our eyes focused on You and what You have done for us. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) I pray that we repent of our sins and seek after Your riches.
Oh, to delve into Your Word, to seek after those "great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden".
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Fulfilled Prophecy
Reading: Jeremiah 31, 32
My Verse: 31:35 "Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day and the fixed order of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, Who stirs up the sea's roaring billows or stills the waves when they roar - the Lord of hosts is His name."
So much power in this verse. These chapters are a wonderful illustration of that power. God, You, did not make it easy to fulfill all the prophecies that You made. They are so full of specific details! Jeremiah spells out in specific detail how Jerusalem was to be rebuilt.
And I love the story in chapter 32 where You, Lord, direct Jeremiah to buy a piece of land to show that yes, Jerusalem would be reoccupied by Your people. Jeremiah made sure the transaction had witnesses then he had the documents placed into "an earthen vessel, that they may last a long time." (verse 32:14)
"Great [are You] in counsel and mighty in deeds, Whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to reward or repay each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." (32:19) Jerusalem was indeed destroyed by the Chaldeans as predicted. The city was so devastated and stayed so for such a long time that it seemed unlikely that it would ever be rebuilt. Yet, verse 32:27 says "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?" In 1935, 2500 years later Jerusalem was reestablished! All the details spelled out by Jeremiah in 31:39-40 were fulfilled.
This is repeated throughout the Bible over and over - fulfilled prophecy! Our God is Who He says He is! Thank you, Lord, for this surety.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 31:35 "Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day and the fixed order of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, Who stirs up the sea's roaring billows or stills the waves when they roar - the Lord of hosts is His name."
So much power in this verse. These chapters are a wonderful illustration of that power. God, You, did not make it easy to fulfill all the prophecies that You made. They are so full of specific details! Jeremiah spells out in specific detail how Jerusalem was to be rebuilt.
And I love the story in chapter 32 where You, Lord, direct Jeremiah to buy a piece of land to show that yes, Jerusalem would be reoccupied by Your people. Jeremiah made sure the transaction had witnesses then he had the documents placed into "an earthen vessel, that they may last a long time." (verse 32:14)
"Great [are You] in counsel and mighty in deeds, Whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to reward or repay each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings." (32:19) Jerusalem was indeed destroyed by the Chaldeans as predicted. The city was so devastated and stayed so for such a long time that it seemed unlikely that it would ever be rebuilt. Yet, verse 32:27 says "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?" In 1935, 2500 years later Jerusalem was reestablished! All the details spelled out by Jeremiah in 31:39-40 were fulfilled.
This is repeated throughout the Bible over and over - fulfilled prophecy! Our God is Who He says He is! Thank you, Lord, for this surety.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Consequences!
Reading: Jeremiah 28-30
My verse: 28:9, 15 ". . . but when that prophet's words come to pass, [only] then will it be known that the Lord has truly sent him." ". . . but you have made this people trust in a lie."
Hananiah, the false prophet here died for his lies, as will all that prophesy falsely in God's name.
"Behold the tempest of the Lord has gone forth with wrath, a sweeping and a gathering tempest, it shall whirl and burst upon the heads of the wicked." 30:23
Consequences! As a teacher I was constantly trying to impress upon my students that there are always consequences for the decisions that we make.
Lord, you tell us over and over what the consequences are if we deny you. but if we respond to You, call upon You, seek after You then. . . "I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity . . ." v. 29:14 In this specific case the captivity was that of Israel in Babylon, but to us today this speaks of the captivity of our souls and minds to sin. We can be free of that!
It is wonderful to know that if I choose You, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) Those are the consequences I want!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: 28:9, 15 ". . . but when that prophet's words come to pass, [only] then will it be known that the Lord has truly sent him." ". . . but you have made this people trust in a lie."
Hananiah, the false prophet here died for his lies, as will all that prophesy falsely in God's name.
"Behold the tempest of the Lord has gone forth with wrath, a sweeping and a gathering tempest, it shall whirl and burst upon the heads of the wicked." 30:23
Consequences! As a teacher I was constantly trying to impress upon my students that there are always consequences for the decisions that we make.
Lord, you tell us over and over what the consequences are if we deny you. but if we respond to You, call upon You, seek after You then. . . "I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will release you from captivity . . ." v. 29:14 In this specific case the captivity was that of Israel in Babylon, but to us today this speaks of the captivity of our souls and minds to sin. We can be free of that!
It is wonderful to know that if I choose You, "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) Those are the consequences I want!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ever Warning Us!
Reading: Jeremiah 24 - 27
My Verse: 27:5 "I have made the earth, the men and the beasts that are upon the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm and I give it to whomever it seems right and suitable to Me."
Wow! God is indeed awesome. I never realized how often He makes this statement. Lord, You come out plainly and clearly state Who You are, the Almighty Lord God, Creator of the universe. Isaiah 40:28 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; . . ."
You also say over and over through your prophets how we each of us are answerable for the life we choose to live. You repeatedly warn us. " Yet, you have not listened to and obeyed Me, says the Lord. . ." (v.25:7). "If you will not listen to and obey Me, to walk in My Law, which I have set before You. (v. 26:4). ". . . and I will recompense [all of] them according to their deeds and according to the work of their [own] hands." (v. 25:14).
As the Creator God, You demand from each of us a personal, responsible response to You. You tell us "I am the door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved." (John 10:9)
This brings out of me so much respect for You, Lord. Love, respect and reverence! As I read and search through Your Word I find myself so uplifted! I keep finding 'new' truths and it is quite wonderful. Thank you, Lord, for Your word, the Bible.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 27:5 "I have made the earth, the men and the beasts that are upon the face of the earth by My great power and by My outstretched arm and I give it to whomever it seems right and suitable to Me."
Wow! God is indeed awesome. I never realized how often He makes this statement. Lord, You come out plainly and clearly state Who You are, the Almighty Lord God, Creator of the universe. Isaiah 40:28 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; . . ."
You also say over and over through your prophets how we each of us are answerable for the life we choose to live. You repeatedly warn us. " Yet, you have not listened to and obeyed Me, says the Lord. . ." (v.25:7). "If you will not listen to and obey Me, to walk in My Law, which I have set before You. (v. 26:4). ". . . and I will recompense [all of] them according to their deeds and according to the work of their [own] hands." (v. 25:14).
As the Creator God, You demand from each of us a personal, responsible response to You. You tell us "I am the door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved." (John 10:9)
This brings out of me so much respect for You, Lord. Love, respect and reverence! As I read and search through Your Word I find myself so uplifted! I keep finding 'new' truths and it is quite wonderful. Thank you, Lord, for Your word, the Bible.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Leadership
Reading: Jeremiah 22, 23
My Verse: 23:1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasturing! says the Lord."
These two chapters give dire warnings to political and spiritual leaders. In 22:3 You say to political leaders, "Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver out of the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong; do no violence to the stranger or temporary resident, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." To the spiritual leaders of Jeremiah's day You said, ". . . they commit adultery and walk in lies; they encourage and strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none returns from his wickedness. They have all of them become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah. . .and they say to everyone who walks after the stubbornness of his own mind and heart, No evil shall come upon you." You, Lord God, go on to say in verse 25, "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying I have dreamed, I have dreamed."
You could be uttering these words today! Lord, Your word is alive and ever current.
You go on in verse 31 to say "Behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say, Thus says the Lord." You know the hearts of man, no one can deceive you. "I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart." (Jeremiah 17:10)
I hear so many bashing our leaders and I generally cringe, especially if those doing the bashing are fellow Christians. It is a great responsibility and You, Lord, put them there. You tell us in I Timothy 2:1, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." From this I understand that my responsibility is to pray, pray, pray! Thank you, Lord, for clarity on this issue.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 23:1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasturing! says the Lord."
These two chapters give dire warnings to political and spiritual leaders. In 22:3 You say to political leaders, "Execute justice and righteousness, and deliver out of the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong; do no violence to the stranger or temporary resident, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place." To the spiritual leaders of Jeremiah's day You said, ". . . they commit adultery and walk in lies; they encourage and strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that none returns from his wickedness. They have all of them become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah. . .and they say to everyone who walks after the stubbornness of his own mind and heart, No evil shall come upon you." You, Lord God, go on to say in verse 25, "I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying I have dreamed, I have dreamed."
You could be uttering these words today! Lord, Your word is alive and ever current.
You go on in verse 31 to say "Behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say, Thus says the Lord." You know the hearts of man, no one can deceive you. "I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart." (Jeremiah 17:10)
I hear so many bashing our leaders and I generally cringe, especially if those doing the bashing are fellow Christians. It is a great responsibility and You, Lord, put them there. You tell us in I Timothy 2:1, "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." From this I understand that my responsibility is to pray, pray, pray! Thank you, Lord, for clarity on this issue.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, April 15, 2011
He Is Our Potter
Reading: Jeremiah 18, 19, 20, 21
My Verse: 18:10 "And if they do evil in My sight, obeying not My voice, then I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them."
I have always looked at Genesis 6:6 as one of the saddest verses in the Bible. "And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart." I do not fully understand how You, God, in Your omniscience can 'regret', but the gist of the verse is that the state of the way things are on this earth is not what You meant it to be. Verse 18:10 echoes this thought.
Jeremiah is given the wonderful object lesson of the potter. "And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it." (18:4). Lord, You go on to say in verse 6. ". . . can I not do with you as this potter does?"
Now I can take this verse in one of two ways. First, I can rejoice that no matter how I flub up - You, Lord, can fix it if I repent and allow You to do that. Or I can fret and chaff at my lack of control over my life.
Well, in that second case You say, "I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them." Life is so short. I find that as I grow older in You, Lord, I want more and more to be what You would have me to be. I find myself more and more thankful that I don't have to rely on my own wisdom.
Thank you, Lord, for this assurance. " . . . we are the clay, You are the Potter." It is good to belong to You!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 18:10 "And if they do evil in My sight, obeying not My voice, then I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them."
I have always looked at Genesis 6:6 as one of the saddest verses in the Bible. "And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart." I do not fully understand how You, God, in Your omniscience can 'regret', but the gist of the verse is that the state of the way things are on this earth is not what You meant it to be. Verse 18:10 echoes this thought.
Jeremiah is given the wonderful object lesson of the potter. "And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it." (18:4). Lord, You go on to say in verse 6. ". . . can I not do with you as this potter does?"
Now I can take this verse in one of two ways. First, I can rejoice that no matter how I flub up - You, Lord, can fix it if I repent and allow You to do that. Or I can fret and chaff at my lack of control over my life.
Well, in that second case You say, "I will regret and reverse My decision concerning the good with which I said I would benefit them." Life is so short. I find that as I grow older in You, Lord, I want more and more to be what You would have me to be. I find myself more and more thankful that I don't have to rely on my own wisdom.
Thank you, Lord, for this assurance. " . . . we are the clay, You are the Potter." It is good to belong to You!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Nothing Is Hidden
Reading: Jeremiah 12-17
My Verse: 17:10 "I, the Lord, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing."
Isaiah spoke of seeking God with wrong motives and unrepentent hearts in Isaiah 56-58. Jeremiah addresses this in 16:12 ". . . every one of you walks after the stubborness of his own evil heart...". Nothing is hidden from You, Lord. Isaiah and Jeremiah make this very plain. How painful it must be for You to see the darkness that dwells in the hearts of man.
v.16:17 says, "For My eyes are on all their ways."
These are hard chapters - hard to take in. I find myself reading with a kind of dread yet, with hope also. Thankfully, there is hope. "Blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confidence the Lord is." (17:7)
What a terrible thing to fall under Your wrath - those that forsake You shall "disappear like writing on the ground." (17:13)
The wonderful hope is we can cry out to You as Jeremiah did. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved." (17:14)
I join Jeremiah in intercessory prayer, "O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, deal and work with us for You own sake. . . do not leave us!" (14:7,9) For You are "longsuffering . . . not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." (II Peter 3:10)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 17:10 "I, the Lord, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing."
Isaiah spoke of seeking God with wrong motives and unrepentent hearts in Isaiah 56-58. Jeremiah addresses this in 16:12 ". . . every one of you walks after the stubborness of his own evil heart...". Nothing is hidden from You, Lord. Isaiah and Jeremiah make this very plain. How painful it must be for You to see the darkness that dwells in the hearts of man.
v.16:17 says, "For My eyes are on all their ways."
These are hard chapters - hard to take in. I find myself reading with a kind of dread yet, with hope also. Thankfully, there is hope. "Blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confidence the Lord is." (17:7)
What a terrible thing to fall under Your wrath - those that forsake You shall "disappear like writing on the ground." (17:13)
The wonderful hope is we can cry out to You as Jeremiah did. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed, save me and I shall be saved." (17:14)
I join Jeremiah in intercessory prayer, "O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, deal and work with us for You own sake. . . do not leave us!" (14:7,9) For You are "longsuffering . . . not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." (II Peter 3:10)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Man is Incapable of Directing His Own Steps
Reading: Jeremiah 9, 10, 11
My verse: 10:23 "O, Lord, I know that the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man to direct his [own] steps."
This verse tells me that we are incapable of going our own way - it does not profit us. Is this because You "created man in Your own image"? (Gen. 1:27) Within each of us is a bit of You? It does seem that we fret and strive to resist Your way like a child rebels against parents. Yet, once that child realizes the love of the parent, then they are able to obey and so profit. It seems to be the same with us. I know that as I have grown in You, I don't fret as much. I realize more and more how much You love me. 1 John 4:16 says, "God is love." The Psalms repeatedly tell of Your love for us.
I do see the futility of man's boasting. "Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich glory and boast in his riches." (9:23)
I will one day meet my end here on earth. I will then stand before You and You alone. For You are the God of the Bible - there is none other. Isaiah 43:11 says, "Before Me, there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, Am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior."
Thank You for saving me. Thank you for training my mind and directing my steps through Your Word.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: 10:23 "O, Lord, I know that the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man to direct his [own] steps."
This verse tells me that we are incapable of going our own way - it does not profit us. Is this because You "created man in Your own image"? (Gen. 1:27) Within each of us is a bit of You? It does seem that we fret and strive to resist Your way like a child rebels against parents. Yet, once that child realizes the love of the parent, then they are able to obey and so profit. It seems to be the same with us. I know that as I have grown in You, I don't fret as much. I realize more and more how much You love me. 1 John 4:16 says, "God is love." The Psalms repeatedly tell of Your love for us.
I do see the futility of man's boasting. "Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich glory and boast in his riches." (9:23)
I will one day meet my end here on earth. I will then stand before You and You alone. For You are the God of the Bible - there is none other. Isaiah 43:11 says, "Before Me, there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, Am the Lord, and besides me there is no Savior."
Thank You for saving me. Thank you for training my mind and directing my steps through Your Word.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Walk In the Whole Way
Reading: Jeremiah 6, 7, 8
My Verse: 7:23 "Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you, that it may be well with you."
Oh, Lord, so many allow themselves to be lead astray by the 'lying pen'. So many scribes have taken bits and pieces of your Word and turned them into religious ceremonial observances. "Behold, the truth is, the lying pen of the scribes has made of the law a falsehood (a mere code of ceremonial observances.)" (8:8)
Verses 8-10 of chapter 7 speaks of how man uses these religious formalities. "Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot benefit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, burn incense to Baal, and go after other gods. . . And [then dare to] come and stand before Me and say, [By the discharge of this religious formality] we are set free! - only to go on with this wickedness and these abominations?"
Oh, Lord, it is a terrible thing to lead others astray, but we each of us must answer for ourselves. "For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent]." (14:16)
I must "walk in the whole way". I must read Your Word which instructs me how to"walk in the whole way".
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 7:23 "Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God and you will be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you, that it may be well with you."
Oh, Lord, so many allow themselves to be lead astray by the 'lying pen'. So many scribes have taken bits and pieces of your Word and turned them into religious ceremonial observances. "Behold, the truth is, the lying pen of the scribes has made of the law a falsehood (a mere code of ceremonial observances.)" (8:8)
Verses 8-10 of chapter 7 speaks of how man uses these religious formalities. "Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot benefit. Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, burn incense to Baal, and go after other gods. . . And [then dare to] come and stand before Me and say, [By the discharge of this religious formality] we are set free! - only to go on with this wickedness and these abominations?"
Oh, Lord, it is a terrible thing to lead others astray, but we each of us must answer for ourselves. "For I will pour out their wickedness upon them [and not on their false teachers only, for the people could not have been deceived except by their own consent]." (14:16)
I must "walk in the whole way". I must read Your Word which instructs me how to"walk in the whole way".
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Fear & Reverence
Reading: Jeremiah 3, 4, 5
My verse: 5:22 "Do you not fear and reverence Me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go. And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purposes]."
This causes me to examine the world about me - and marvel at all the amazing interrelationships of Your creation: the feeble sands that keep back the ocean, the water cycle, the interdependency of different animals with each other and with various plants. How the very air that we breath is a careful mix of just the right elements. How water is an exception to the rule of liquid to solid forms - being lighter in solid form instead of heavier and so allowing fish to survive through winter.
And yet, verse 21 states an awful truth. "Hear now this, O foolish people without understanding or heart, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not." So many close the eyes of their heart to You. Ethan is playing bass for a group that is preparing to perform the song "Left Behind". What an incredibly heartwrenching song! The phrase "The Son has come and you've been left behind." is especially sad.
Lord God, we do indeed need to "fear and reverence" You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: 5:22 "Do you not fear and reverence Me? says the Lord. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand for the boundary of the sea, a perpetual barrier beyond which it cannot pass and by an everlasting ordinance beyond which it cannot go. And though the waves of the sea toss and shake themselves, yet they cannot prevail [against the feeble grains of sand which God has ordained by nature to be sufficient for His purposes]."
This causes me to examine the world about me - and marvel at all the amazing interrelationships of Your creation: the feeble sands that keep back the ocean, the water cycle, the interdependency of different animals with each other and with various plants. How the very air that we breath is a careful mix of just the right elements. How water is an exception to the rule of liquid to solid forms - being lighter in solid form instead of heavier and so allowing fish to survive through winter.
And yet, verse 21 states an awful truth. "Hear now this, O foolish people without understanding or heart, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not." So many close the eyes of their heart to You. Ethan is playing bass for a group that is preparing to perform the song "Left Behind". What an incredibly heartwrenching song! The phrase "The Son has come and you've been left behind." is especially sad.
Lord God, we do indeed need to "fear and reverence" You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Alert & Active
Reading: Jeremiah 1, 2
My Verse: " . . .for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it."
Lord, You have revealed to us in so many ways - archeology, fulfilled prophecy, old manuscripts - the truth and reliability of Your word. This verse speaks to me of the dynamic life of the Bible. It is alive "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power." (Hebrews 4:12) John 17:17 says, "Your word is truth."
Jeremiah goes on in chapter 2 to speak of how the people of Israel chose to stray from you. "followed after things that do not profit." (2:8) Verse 19 says, "Your own wickedness shall chasten and correct you, and your backslidings and desertion of faith shall reprove you. Know therefore and recognize that this is an evil and bitter thing, [first] you have forsaken the Lord, Your God; [second,] you are indifferent to Me and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord of Hosts."
O, Lord, it is so easy to drift away from You - to follow after our own passions and desires, to get caught up in the inane activities of this world. Have mercy on us. Forgive me - my indifference. Forgive me my often lackadaisical attitude.
You want so much for me to have a rich and fulfilling life. I can only have that if You are a central part of it. I must seek you out daily. I must actively choose each moment of each day to allow You to be "alert & active" in my life.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: " . . .for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it."
Lord, You have revealed to us in so many ways - archeology, fulfilled prophecy, old manuscripts - the truth and reliability of Your word. This verse speaks to me of the dynamic life of the Bible. It is alive "For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power." (Hebrews 4:12) John 17:17 says, "Your word is truth."
Jeremiah goes on in chapter 2 to speak of how the people of Israel chose to stray from you. "followed after things that do not profit." (2:8) Verse 19 says, "Your own wickedness shall chasten and correct you, and your backslidings and desertion of faith shall reprove you. Know therefore and recognize that this is an evil and bitter thing, [first] you have forsaken the Lord, Your God; [second,] you are indifferent to Me and the fear of Me is not in you, says the Lord of Hosts."
O, Lord, it is so easy to drift away from You - to follow after our own passions and desires, to get caught up in the inane activities of this world. Have mercy on us. Forgive me - my indifference. Forgive me my often lackadaisical attitude.
You want so much for me to have a rich and fulfilling life. I can only have that if You are a central part of it. I must seek you out daily. I must actively choose each moment of each day to allow You to be "alert & active" in my life.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Eternal Souls - Transitory Planet Earth
Reading: Isaiah 65, 66 Psalm 121
My Verse: 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."
So much energy is put into 'saving our planet'! Save the owls! Save the moth! Save the whales! I appreciate that we, humans, have been horribly deficient in the way we have used and abused the resources of this wonderful creation that God provided for our use. I appreciate that it is abominable that we have squandered resources to the point of destroying whole species of creatures. Even now I see those abuses going on and cringe at it. And yet . . . "I create new heavens and a new earth." All that is now will be no more.
We do need to be prudent in how we use our resources. We are never to be wasteful or abusive in anything that we do. Lord, You tell us "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily as something done for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23) You also tell us to live excellent lives before the world. (I Peter 2:13-17)
So what do I take from this? Lord, I realize that You are the Author of life. You give and take as you deem best. You note the fall of each of Your living creatures. I, as Your child, can read this verse and find peace in it. While this life that You have given us is important and we are to live it to the fullest, to the best of our abilities - it is temporary. So, yes, it calms me. Watching my mother die was hard but this calms me about what she had to experience. You tell us "former things shall not be remembered". Thank you.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 65:17 "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."
So much energy is put into 'saving our planet'! Save the owls! Save the moth! Save the whales! I appreciate that we, humans, have been horribly deficient in the way we have used and abused the resources of this wonderful creation that God provided for our use. I appreciate that it is abominable that we have squandered resources to the point of destroying whole species of creatures. Even now I see those abuses going on and cringe at it. And yet . . . "I create new heavens and a new earth." All that is now will be no more.
We do need to be prudent in how we use our resources. We are never to be wasteful or abusive in anything that we do. Lord, You tell us "Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily as something done for the Lord and not for men." (Colossians 3:23) You also tell us to live excellent lives before the world. (I Peter 2:13-17)
So what do I take from this? Lord, I realize that You are the Author of life. You give and take as you deem best. You note the fall of each of Your living creatures. I, as Your child, can read this verse and find peace in it. While this life that You have given us is important and we are to live it to the fullest, to the best of our abilities - it is temporary. So, yes, it calms me. Watching my mother die was hard but this calms me about what she had to experience. You tell us "former things shall not be remembered". Thank you.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Work of His Hand
Reading Isaiah 62, 63, 64
My Verse: 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You are our Potter, and we all are the work of Your Hand."
This verse not only tells me that You made me but that I am clay. I get the sense from this that it means You are continually working on me - shaping me to be what you would have me to be. You put things into my life that help to shape me. Staying up with Mom through the night at the hospital was hard. Watching her die was very hard. I would ask you why did it have to be so difficult. I would pray for it to be over. I began to realize that the timing was all Yours, that You needed me to experience this. Once I realized that then it wasn't so hard. I had a peace about it all.
O Lord, "Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it." (Psalm 139:6)
I read Psalm 139 to Mom those last days of her life. At first I thought it was for her, to reassure her but after awhile I found I was being reassured as well. It is comforting to know we are "the work of Your Hand." It is reassuring to know that You, Lord, know "my coming and my going." Mom was yours and You were taking her back, taking her home - to her true and final home.
When I feel uncertain and see things go awry around me I can turn to Your Word, the Truth and find comfort. For it is truth. (John 17:17)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 64:8 "Yet, O Lord, You are our Father, we are the clay, and You are our Potter, and we all are the work of Your Hand."
This verse not only tells me that You made me but that I am clay. I get the sense from this that it means You are continually working on me - shaping me to be what you would have me to be. You put things into my life that help to shape me. Staying up with Mom through the night at the hospital was hard. Watching her die was very hard. I would ask you why did it have to be so difficult. I would pray for it to be over. I began to realize that the timing was all Yours, that You needed me to experience this. Once I realized that then it wasn't so hard. I had a peace about it all.
O Lord, "Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it." (Psalm 139:6)
I read Psalm 139 to Mom those last days of her life. At first I thought it was for her, to reassure her but after awhile I found I was being reassured as well. It is comforting to know we are "the work of Your Hand." It is reassuring to know that You, Lord, know "my coming and my going." Mom was yours and You were taking her back, taking her home - to her true and final home.
When I feel uncertain and see things go awry around me I can turn to Your Word, the Truth and find comfort. For it is truth. (John 17:17)
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
It Is Inevitable!
Reading: Isaiah 59, 60, 61
My Verse: 61:11 "For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling powers of His word.]
This is Truth! This will happen - "the self-fulfilling power of His word".
I keep coming back to this - Isaiah brings this fact back up again and again. The earth we live on, the lives we live are temporary - transitory. While I am expected to live an excellent life before my Lord and the world I must ever keep in mind that "as surely as the earth brings forth its shoots . . . so surely the Lord" will return. And when He does return He "will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former sky and earth had passed away." (Rev. 21:1)
This is so assuring when I see the pain and devastation around me. Rather than despair I can look up and forward to my Lord's return. "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, ..." (Rev. 1:7) Thank you for this, Lord.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 61:11 "For as [surely as] the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring forth, so [surely] the Lord God will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations [through the self-fulfilling powers of His word.]
This is Truth! This will happen - "the self-fulfilling power of His word".
I keep coming back to this - Isaiah brings this fact back up again and again. The earth we live on, the lives we live are temporary - transitory. While I am expected to live an excellent life before my Lord and the world I must ever keep in mind that "as surely as the earth brings forth its shoots . . . so surely the Lord" will return. And when He does return He "will cause rightness and justice and praise to spring forth before all the nations."
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former sky and earth had passed away." (Rev. 21:1)
This is so assuring when I see the pain and devastation around me. Rather than despair I can look up and forward to my Lord's return. "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, ..." (Rev. 1:7) Thank you for this, Lord.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Here I Am!
Reading: Isaiah 56, 57, 58
My verse: "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am."
Hypocrisy. Unanswered prayers. Isaiah speaks here of the nation of Israel fasting and seeking Him but with wrong motives and unrepentant hearts. "... you fast only for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickedness." Then the people wonder why their prayers go unanswered. Oh Lord, how often do I do this? Trying to make deals, to tell you how I want things to be without dealing with the sin in my heart.
"So repent of this . ... and pray to the Lord ... (that) this contriving thought and purpose of your heart may be removed. For I see that you are in the 'gall of bitterness and a bond forged by iniquities'". (Acts 8:22,23)
You want us to pray and fast to be free, to draw near to You. Verse 58:6 says, "[Rather] is not this the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bonds of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke."
Oh Lord, how I need to examine my heart. It is so easy for things to creep in and take hold. Things that seem minor and I dismiss as such and don't deal with as I should.
"Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23) Oh Lord, to be one "who has clean hands and a pure heart." (Psalm 24:4) To be one who is able to hear You when You call "Here I Am!" I don't want sin blocking You out of my life.
Thank you for this reminder to self-examine, to open up my heart to You and let You clean, heal and renew me!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: "Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am."
Hypocrisy. Unanswered prayers. Isaiah speaks here of the nation of Israel fasting and seeking Him but with wrong motives and unrepentant hearts. "... you fast only for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickedness." Then the people wonder why their prayers go unanswered. Oh Lord, how often do I do this? Trying to make deals, to tell you how I want things to be without dealing with the sin in my heart.
"So repent of this . ... and pray to the Lord ... (that) this contriving thought and purpose of your heart may be removed. For I see that you are in the 'gall of bitterness and a bond forged by iniquities'". (Acts 8:22,23)
You want us to pray and fast to be free, to draw near to You. Verse 58:6 says, "[Rather] is not this the fast I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bonds of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every [enslaving] yoke."
Oh Lord, how I need to examine my heart. It is so easy for things to creep in and take hold. Things that seem minor and I dismiss as such and don't deal with as I should.
"Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!" (Psalm 139:23) Oh Lord, to be one "who has clean hands and a pure heart." (Psalm 24:4) To be one who is able to hear You when You call "Here I Am!" I don't want sin blocking You out of my life.
Thank you for this reminder to self-examine, to open up my heart to You and let You clean, heal and renew me!
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Call On Him
Reading: Isaiah 53, 54, 55
My verse: "Seek, inquire for and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]: call upon Him while He is near."
The implication here is that a time is coming when it will be too late to seek the Lord. The inhabitants of the earth in Noah's day come to mind. They denied the Lord until the flood actually started. When they realized that there may after all be some truth to what Noah was saying they started to pound on the door of the ark to be saved from the impending doom. But, the door of the ark was closed, they had waited too long. It was too late.
Jesus, You speak to us of this again in John 9:4 "night is coming on, when no man can work." Yet, Lord you are so patient, "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
You tell us that all we need to do is call on You. "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
It is ominous, urgent. I pray Lord, for friends and loved ones that continue to turn you aside. I pray they would hear Your truth and respond to Your call to them.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My verse: "Seek, inquire for and require the Lord while He may be found [claiming Him by necessity and by right]: call upon Him while He is near."
The implication here is that a time is coming when it will be too late to seek the Lord. The inhabitants of the earth in Noah's day come to mind. They denied the Lord until the flood actually started. When they realized that there may after all be some truth to what Noah was saying they started to pound on the door of the ark to be saved from the impending doom. But, the door of the ark was closed, they had waited too long. It was too late.
Jesus, You speak to us of this again in John 9:4 "night is coming on, when no man can work." Yet, Lord you are so patient, "is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
You tell us that all we need to do is call on You. "The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
It is ominous, urgent. I pray Lord, for friends and loved ones that continue to turn you aside. I pray they would hear Your truth and respond to Your call to them.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Friday, April 1, 2011
One Who Brings Good Tidings
Reading: Isaiah 51, 52
My Verse: 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!"
What an amazing verse. The phrase "upon the mountain" is interesting. To me it indicates that the "feet of him who brings good tidings" do not necessarily travel an easy path. Not sure I get the "publishes peace" but 2 Samuel 18:24-27 speaks of a lone messenger as one who brings news, the implication being that it has to do with a battle. Paul refers to this passage in Romans 10: 14-16. He speaks of the importance of "someone preaching". Then the finality of , "Your God reigns!" The victory that will be Yours, God, over all. The victory over pain, sorrow, even death. This is the reality we can look forward to. This is truth. This will happen.
Dear Lord, You tell us if we abide in Your Word we will "know the truth". (John 8:31) You again tell us that You are "the Way, the Truth, and the Life". (John 14:6) So, indeed, You will reign!
I am so thankful for this absolute truth.
I pray that I will be one "who brings good tidings". That the words I speak would be edifying and always point towards You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns!"
What an amazing verse. The phrase "upon the mountain" is interesting. To me it indicates that the "feet of him who brings good tidings" do not necessarily travel an easy path. Not sure I get the "publishes peace" but 2 Samuel 18:24-27 speaks of a lone messenger as one who brings news, the implication being that it has to do with a battle. Paul refers to this passage in Romans 10: 14-16. He speaks of the importance of "someone preaching". Then the finality of , "Your God reigns!" The victory that will be Yours, God, over all. The victory over pain, sorrow, even death. This is the reality we can look forward to. This is truth. This will happen.
Dear Lord, You tell us if we abide in Your Word we will "know the truth". (John 8:31) You again tell us that You are "the Way, the Truth, and the Life". (John 14:6) So, indeed, You will reign!
I am so thankful for this absolute truth.
I pray that I will be one "who brings good tidings". That the words I speak would be edifying and always point towards You.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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