Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1-4, Psalm 139

Jonah, Amos, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk…God used the faithful obedience of these prophets to make a difference in the lives of His people and their leaders. The obedience of each of these believers had an impact on the king and, in turn, on the entire nation. God called another man to make an impact on His people; he called a young man named Jeremiah.

I KNEW YOU BEFORE I FORMED YOU.

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.
Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

“O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!”

The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

“Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up and plant.”

Then the Lord said to me, “Look, Jeremiah! What do you see?”

And I replied, “I see a branch from an almond tree.”

And the Lord said, “That’s right, and it means that I am watching, and I will certainly carry out my plans.” – Jeremiah 1:5-12

I AM WATCHING OVER YOU.

The almond tree branches were among the first to blossom each spring. What the people of Judah were experiencing was only the beginning of all that was about to happen. And in the midst of this turmoil, God had plans to use a young man named Jeremiah to get His message to His people.

Jeremiah felt young and ill-equipped for what God was calling him to do. God confirmed His call on Jeremiah’s life and promised that He would watch over Jeremiah; he would give him the words to say and the credibility to be heard.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12

Paul’s words to his young intern, Timothy, are similar to God’s words of encouragement to Jeremiah. These same words can fill our hearts with the assurance that God has created us for a purpose and He will equip us for the call. He knows everything about us, yet chooses to use us to carry out His perfect plan, regardless of our age, gender or education. Let’s recognize God’s hand on our life as we pray the words of the psalmist:

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you. – Psalm 139:13-18

Today’s Reading: Zephaniah; 2 Kings 22 -23; 2 Chronicles 34-35; Psalm 1

Zephaniah was a prophet during the days of King Josiah’s reign. Josiah’s father, King Amon, had been assassinated for his plans to rise against the oppression of the Assyrian nation. The leaders of Judah then killed those who had conspired against and assassinated King Amon, making his eight year old son Josiah the next king.

Can you imagine being king at only eight years of age? Although his father did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord, Josiah pleased God and followed the example of his ancestor David. He led the nation to make repairs to the Temple. When he read the Book of the Law and heard how God planned to punish His people for their idolatry and unfaithfulness, Josiah grieved the future of his nation. Josiah summoned all the elders and had the Book of the Covenant read aloud, calling the people of Judah to renew their covenant in the presence of God and bring back the celebration of Passover.

It was during this time that the prophet Zephaniah was also trying to move God’s people to renew their covenant relationship with God. He spoke of how our jealous God would punish the wicked but how God’s faithful people would enjoy the home He has prepared for them.

“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord…
“I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship.
I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.
For they go up to their roofs and bow down to the sun, moon and stars.
They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too.
And I will destroy those who used to worship me but no longer do.
They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings.”
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord,
for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. – Zephaniah 1:2,4-7

The United States of America is pulling away from the foundations of faith on which it was built. “In God we Trust” is our motto but now prayer is vanishing from our places of government. There is a pride and self-reliance that has taken the place of yesterday’s humility and calling upon the Lord for strength. There is a call upon our nation to renew our covenant with the Lord.

“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.” – Zephaniah 1:12

What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime!
No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction.
It does not trust in the Lord or draw near to its God. – Zephaniah 3:1-2

What can we do? What is God’s call to His people today? Perhaps similar to what He called His people to do in the days of the prophet Zephaniah:

GATHER TOGETHER – yes, gather together, you shameless nation.
Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.
ACT NOW, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
SEEK THE LORD, all who are humble, and follow his commands.
Seek to do what is right and to live humbly.
Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you – protect you from his anger on the day of destruction. – Zephaniah 2:1-3

Let’s unite our voices in petition and repentance for our nation. Let’s ask the Lord to remain with us and help us to turn the hearts of our nation back to Him. I find these verses encouraging:

But the Lord is still there in the city…
“Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty Savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” – Zephaniah 3:5a,16-17

God’s message through the prophet Zephaniah is clear and leaves us with a choice. There is judgment for those who claim to follow the Lord but no longer worship Him — for those who no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek His blessings. But when we humble ourselves and trust in the name of the Lord, he delights in us! We are surrounded by His love and our fears are calmed. Not only are we blessed with His presence, He rejoices over us with singing! What an incredible realization! The Lord is with us and He takes delight in us, expressing His joy in song when we trust in Him and humble ourselves in His presence.

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. – Psalm 1:1-3

Lord, we humbly seek you this morning. We seek to do what is right and to live humbly before you, as individuals and as a nation. Lord, forgive us for our pride and self-reliance. Forgive us for saying “In God We Trust” and then failing to trust in you or draw near to you. May your people gather together and unite to give you praise. May your presence in our lives, individually and as the body of Christ, make a difference in our nation. Lord, we pray for revival for our country. Mighty Savior, may you take delight today in your people and sing over us with joy. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Nahum

Through the life of Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, we see again that God loves a repentant heart. But to fully understand just how merciful God is, you need to fully understand just how ugly sin can be. Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king; he reigned in Jerusalem for 55 years. He rebuilt the pagan shrines his father had destroyed, and even went so far as to build pagan altars IN the temple of the Lord. He was SO steeped in idolatry that he sacrificed his own sons in the fire. He aroused God’s anger by practicing sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, consulting with mediums and psychics.

Manasseh also murdered many innocent people until Jerusalem was filled from one end to the other with innocent blood. This was in addition to the sin that he caused the people of Judah to commit, leading them to do evil in the Lord’s sight. – 2 Kings 21:16

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. So the Lord sent the commanders of the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon. But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and SINCERELY humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. – 2 Chronicles 33:10-12

Manasseh, one of the most evil kings Judah experienced, cried out to God for forgiveness…and God listened. That’s the kind of God we serve — a God who is holy and punishes sin, but who is also merciful and forgiving for those who SINCERELY repent. The prophet Nahum helps us understand that our God is both loving and just. God is patient and forgiving but also a holy God who punishes sin.

The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage. He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies! The Lord is slow to get angry, BUT his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished…The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. BUT he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night. – Nahum 1:2-3a,7-8

God is once again sending a message of judgment through his prophets. This time the judgment is against the city of Ninevah, which is part of the country of Assyria. The empire of Assyria has grown strong and left a path of destruction across the land. Israel is one of many countries that has been defeated and captured by Assyria and now this victor is pressing in on Judah. Nahum’s prophecy against Judah’s enemy is coming at a good time — a time when they need to hear that God is powerful and will punish His enemies. The people of Ninevah had repented of their sins after Jonah came to them but they have again turned to wickedness. The prophet Nahum declared God’s judgment on the city – the city that was rich and appeared to the world as beautiful, but was full of evil.

What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies!
She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims…
There are countless casualties, heaps of bodies – so many bodies that people stumble over them.
All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty.
She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere.
“I am your enemy!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“And now I will lift your skirts and show all the earth your nakedness and shame.
I will cover you with filth and show the world how vile you really are.
All who see you will shrink back and say, ‘Nineveh lies in ruins. Where are the mourners?’
Does anyone regret your destruction?” – Nahum 3:1-7

Scriptures like this convince me that God will someday put an end to the many industries leaving a path of destruction behind them, industries like pornography, sex-trafficking and abortion. They glamourize themselves and collect their riches, but God sees that they are surrounded by those they have destroyed. He hears the cries of the men and women who have been deceived and lied to. He sees the wounds of those who have been abused and mistreated.

The abortion industry has convinced society to consider abortion socially acceptable, a good option for women. The government pours money into their pockets. The stench of death surrounds us and the world continues to shout their praises. BUT God… God will sweep over his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night (1:8).

The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!
The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. – Nahum 1:1-3a

Lord, we thank you for being a God of power – a God aware of the hurts, pains and injustices of this world. Lord, forgive our nation for allowing and promoting the death of those who cannot defend themselves. Strengthen us and equip us to protect with the power of your love and to speak your truth to this lost and dying world. Expose evil empires that veil themselves as if to appear beautiful. May those who work in these industries see that you are the only true God and sincerely repent, finding forgiveness in our merciful God. Lord, break our hearts over what breaks yours and calm our troubled hearts. Oh God, we trust in you for you are the God of love and the God of justice. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 20, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 62-66

King Hezekiah became deathly ill. The prophet Isaiah gave Hezekiah a message from the Lord stating that he would not survive this illness. Hezekiah begged God to heal him and God graciously granted Hezekiah 15 more years to live. God’s word through the prophet Isaiah was not enough for Hezekiah. He needed a sign. Again, God showed grace towards Hezekiah and moved the shadow on the sundial ten steps backward to show He keeps His promises.

Instead of humbly receiving this gift of life from the Lord, Hezekiah became prideful. When the king of Babylon heard that Hezekiah had been sick, he sent an envoy carrying a gift for Hezekiah. In pride, Hezekiah showed the Babylonians EVERYTHING in his storehouse and God showed Hezekiah that the Babylonians would soon come back to take it all. He even revealed that Hezekiah’s sons would be captured and made to be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon’s king. Hezekiah’s heart was revealed when he only showed relief that there would be peace for the rest of HIS lifetime, instead of grieving what others would suffer because of his foolishness.

When God puts someone in leadership, it is for the good of those being led. To be a leader is to be a “watchman” – to watch for danger and protect others from potential harm. Today we call this risk management. But sometimes leaders get caught up in their own egos and make choices based on what is best for them, instead of what is best for the people or organization they are leading.

For the leaders of my people – the Lord’s watchmen, his shepherds – are blind and ignorant.
They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes.
They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.
Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied.
They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain.
“Come,” they say, “let’s get some wine and have a party. Let’s all get drunk.
Then tomorrow we’ll do it again and have an even bigger party!” – Isaiah 56:10-12

We serve a God who loves a repentant heart, who shows favor to those who humbly ask for forgiveness and submit to God’s leadership instead of making life a party for their own self-gain. He comes to restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15). He does not want a false show of repentance. He rejects those who go through the motions – who say the right words and fast for the sake of impressing God (Isaiah 58). God sees the heart and will not be manipulated. He sent His Son to come as a Redeemer for the truly repentant (Isaiah 59).

I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love.
I will praise the Lord for all he has done.
I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel,
which he has granted according to his mercy and love.
He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.”
And HE BECAME THEIR SAVIOR.
In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them.
He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. – Isaiah 63:7-9

When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations.
And oh, how the mountains quaked!
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen
a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! – Isaiah 64:3-4

The Lord says, “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.
I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people.
But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes…” – Isaiah 65:1-2

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.
But those who choose their own ways – delighting in their detestable sins –
will not have their offerings accepted…
For when I called, they did not answer.
When I spoke, they did not listen.
They deliberately sinned before my very eyes and chose to do what they know I despise…” – Isaiah 66:2b-4b

Lord, we humbly come to you this morning, our Savior and our God. We bow before you with sincere and repentant hearts. Lord, we pray that you would do a work in their hearts today. We are the clay and we long for you to mold us into vessels according to your perfect will. Reveal in us any sinful intentions or prideful attitudes. We long to hear your voice and answer you obediently today. We sit in your presence and listen closely. Lord, we will speak today of your unfailing love; we will praise you for all you have done! We will rejoice in your goodness, your mercy and your love for you called us your people when YOU BECAME OUR SAVIOR.

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 56-61

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink – even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk – it’s all free!
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.

“Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David…

“Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near…

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:1-3,6,8-9

It is in seeking God that I find Him. It is in calling on Him that I hear from Him. It is in following His ways that I get a front row seat to what HE wants to do – His will, His way, in His time. When I spend time studying His word, I often receive a word from Him – a promise from long ago that He is renewing in my own life.

Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. – Isaiah 58:10-11

What is God calling you to do today? For what purpose is He anointing you? What difference is God calling you to make in the life of another person this week? Will you allow the One who offers living water to fill you so that you can be a conduit of grace to those who are thirsty? WIll you allow rivers of living water to flow from you as God uses you in the lives of others?

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim
that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. – Isaiah 61:1-3

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 54-55; Psalm 32:8

Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me and I have listened…
Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. – Isaiah 50:4b-5a,7

Some days the weight of my job rests heavy on my shoulders. I find myself praying for God to equip me for the difficult decisions ahead. I ask Him to fill me with His Spirit and give me wisdom for the work to which He has called me. Morning by morning, I wake up and spend time in God’s presence asking Him to teach me and guide me. I cling to God’s promises found in Scripture, including this one:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

This morning I walk into God’s presence with a desire to understand His plan and to be instructed by Him in the way I should go. The following verses are a help to me and I pray that God uses them in your specific situation today.

“I am the Lord your God, who TEACHES you what is good for you and LEADS you along the paths you should follow.” – Isaiah 48:17b

“At just the right time, I will RESPOND to you…” – Is. 49:8a

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 50–53

God used Isaiah to help His people understand how they were about to go into a time of captivity and exile as a consequence of years of unfaithfulness. It was not all bad news, though. Isaiah also spoke boldly that God had a plan — a plan of REDEMPTION and RESTORATION.

Part of God’s plan of restoration revealed through the prophet Isaiah was in regards to the Messiah. Isaiah foretold how he would grow, be rejected and beaten, killed and placed in a rich man’s tomb. This righteous servant would die, bearing all our sins and making it possible for the many to be counted righteous. Consider this morning the sacrifice of our Savior.

My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care. – Isaiah 53:2-3

He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” – Luke 22:41-48

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed. – Isaiah 53:4-5

“Crucify him!”
“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified…They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship…Then they led him away to be crucified. – Mark 15:13-15, 17-20

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. – Isaiah 53:6

At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – Matthew 27:45-46

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
Unjustly condemned, he was led away. – Isaiah 53:7-8a

But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. – Matthew 27:12-14

No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave… – Isaiah 53:8b-9

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph…He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. – Luke 23:50-53

And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. – Isaiah 53:11b-12

Lord, this morning we give you honor. Thank you for dying so that we could be restored from our sinful condition. Thank you for reminding us again this morning of your generous gift of redemption — that you made it possible for us to be counted righteous by bearing our sins on the cross. For that gift we are forever thankful! We have so much to thank you for – protection, provision, your generous love outpoured. Thank you for pointing my thankful heart back to the biggest reason I have to give you praise!

Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart…
He has paid a full ransom for his people.
He has guaranteed his covenant with them forever.
What a holy, awe-inspiring name he has!…
Praise him forever! – Psalm 111:1,9-10

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 45-49

“And why have I called you for this work?
Why did I call you by name when you did not know me…” – Isaiah 45:4

Isaiah spoke of how God uses even those who do not know Him. 150 years before it took place, Isaiah prophesied that God would use a foreign leader named Cyrus to accomplish His plan of setting Israel free from Babylon.

“I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people — without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” – Isaiah 45:13

God had a plan for Cyrus before he was even born. He prepared the way for this man before he had even submitted to God’s sovereignty in his life. In the same way, God had a plan for each of us before we were even born. He goes before us and equips us for the battle to which He has called us. He does this for two purposes – SALVATION & RIGHTEOUSNESS. It is God’s plan that each of us would come to a saving knowledge of who He is and how He has loved and cared for us before we were even a thought in the mind of our parents. It is God’s plan for righteousness to “sprout up together” with salvation to accomplish His purposes (Is. 45:2-8).

“I have cared for you since before you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime – until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.” – Isaiah 46:3b-4

O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you! – Psalm 71:5-6

How beautiful! God cares for us and carries us from the time before we were born, throughout our lifetime, until the end of our life. He carries us along with the plan to save us and to accomplish His purposes through us – so that salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.

The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.
He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword.
He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.
I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.”
I replied, “But my work seems so useless!
I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.
Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.”
And now the Lord speaks – the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.
The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength.
He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” – Isaiah 49:1b-6

God saves us for the sake of righteousness, with which he saves others for the sake of righteousness, so that still others can be restored to a place of salvation for the sake of righteousness. So, as we look around at our current situation, we may find ourselves asking “Why?” With confidence we believe that God will use EVERYTHING for His purposes – for the purpose of salvation and righteousness.

Oh Lord. Help me to see you at work in the lives of all those around me – those who have come to a saving knowledge of you and those who still do not know you. We pray that today someone will come to a saving knowledge of God and that others will be drawn back into a relationship with Christ. We pray that thousands will take the opportunity to live out the righteousness of God in the lives of others. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 41-44, Psalm 80

Have you ever had a week or season of your life that was particularly difficult? I am in that season right now. Each day it seems like there is one more unexpected surprise or new loss. Even when things are difficult, I am so very thankful that I can pray to the God who loves me enough to carry me through a situation He has called me to endure.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:29-31

We serve such an incredible God!!! The Creator of everything LOVES US enough to care for us. He sees everything we are going through, knows us better than anyone else, and cares enough to give us what we need. He gives strength when we are weak. To trust God is like climbing on the wings of an eagle and soaring above life’s circumstances. His supply of strength is endless and His understanding is limitless. So what does God have planned for today? No matter what His plan, He will equip us.

How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”? – Isaiah 29:16

“And why have I called you for this work?
Why did I call you by name when you did not know me…” – Isaiah 45:4

There have been many times when I have wondered why God chose me for the purpose to which He has called me. I assume we have all had moments like this – moments when we wonder what our purpose is or why God chose us for THIS purpose. At times, we look to the person on our left and the person on our right and ask God why His plan for them is so different from His plan for us.

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’” – Isaiah 45:9

God, only you know your plan for my day and I submit to your plan. Thank you for caring for me; thank you for carrying me. Use me for your purposes today, Oh Lord. Give me eyes to see what you see and a heart that trusts you with the details. Lord, may I find new strength for today. Fill my life with good things and make your face to shine upon me. Amen.

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand. – Isaiah 64:8

Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! – Psalm 103:1-5

Today’s Reading: Micah; Psalm 38, 41, 66

God had a plan to rebuild His people, but first they would have to go through a time of loss. They would have to walk through the ruins before they found redemption.

Up! Begone! This is no longer your land and home, for you have filled it with sin and RUINED it completely. – Micah 2:10

God had made a covenant with His people and they had ignored their promises to Him and forgotten His faithfulness. He brought them out of Egypt to the land of Canaan, yet they chose to walk away from His plan for them. They rejected God and demanded an earthly king. He told them to serve Him only and to have no other gods before Him, yet they worshipped false gods and bowed to idols. They put themselves on the throne where God was meant to reign. The result – RUINS!

I will bring you to RUIN for all your sins.
You will eat but never have enough.
Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain.
And though you try to save money, it will come to nothing in the end…
You will plant crops but not harvest them.
You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves.
You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine…
I will make an example of you, bring you to complete RUIN. – Micah 6:13-16a

God’s people used His covenant with them as an excuse to sin. They said, “No harm will come to us for the Lord is here among us” (3:11). This is Micah’s response to them, his call to RIGHTEOUSNESS – not their own effort to save themselves but their submission to God’s call to be righteous:

“Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil…Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to answer? After all the evil you have done, he won’t even look at you!” – Micah 3:1,4

God had a message for His people – one of both REBUKE and REDEMPTION:

“O my people, what have I done to you?
What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me!
For I brought you out of Egypt and REDEEMED you from slavery.
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.
Don’t you REMEMBER…REMEMBER your journey…
When I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” – Micah 6:3-5

The response of God’s people was REMORSE. They REPENTED of their sins and inquired of the necessary RETRIBUTION:

What can we bring to the Lord?
What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he REQUIRES of you:
to do what is right,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:6-8

But among the RUINS was a glimmer of hope – a promise that God would again RESCUE and RESTORE His people:

“Someday, O Israel, I will gather the remnant who are left.
I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture.
Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds!
Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile,
out through the gates of the enemy cities, back to your own land.
Your king will lead you; the Lord himself will guide you.” – Micah 2:12-13

I love this RESPONSE to the hope given by God:

As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me…
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. – Micah 7:7-9

I hate being punished. It is so awful to be called out on an error and have to admit you were wrong. I have no problem apologizing but suffering the consequences of my mistakes or sins is miserable. To be surrounded by the mess I have made is a rough place to be. I’m so thankful I serve a God who RESCUES and RESTORES me when I REPENT of my sins in true REMORSE.

I look to you for help, Oh Lord – my God will certainly hear me. When I am surrounded by darkness, the Lord is my light. I can survive the ruins because I am not alone. My God, you are with me on this path to redemption. Thank you for being this kind of loving God!!! Amen.

Come and listen, all who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.
For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer.
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me. – Psalm 66:16-20