God’s Word is Given to Us

God’s word is given to us so that through it we begin to understand Him.  We know that He speaks to our heart, shows us right from wrong, guides our feet on steady ground, wants our heart desire to desire Him, and wants to give our life purpose.  He also gives us counsel/warning.  I wonder how many times I have not listened and obeyed.  

Isaiah 66:4

 I also will choose harsh treatment for them

and bring their fears upon them,

 because when I called, no one answered,

when I spoke, they did not listen;

 but they did what was evil in my eyes

and chose that in which I did not delight.”

 

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

 because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

 I also will laugh at your calamity

Psalms 81:11

“But my people did not listen to my voice;

Israel would not submit to me.

 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts,

to follow their own counsels.

 Oh, that my people would listen to me

He has Given Life and Breath

God said “heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool”.  He has given all mankind life and breath.  He also says “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you.  I have chosen you, I am with you, and I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”  Awesome verses.

Isaiah 66:1

Thus says the Lord:

 “Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool;

what is the house that you would build for me,

and what is the place of my rest?

 All these things my hand has made,

and so all these things came to be,

declares the Lord.

Acts 17:24

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything

Isaiah 422:5

Thus says God, the Lord,

who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

 who gives breath to the people on it

and spirit to those who walk in it:

 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;

I will take you by the hand and keep you

Isaiah 41:9

I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

 fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Seek God for your Struggles

I wonder how many times I went to bed and did not seek God for the struggle I was in?  Why is it so easy to stay in a place apart from God?  What keeps me from taking it to Him and laying it at His feet?  How many times do I have to try to handle it on my own without any peace or rest?  One day or one night is too many.

Isaiah 65:24

Before they call I will answer;

 while they are yet speaking I will hear

Psalms 32:6

Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

 You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble

30:4

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.

 For his anger is but for a moment,

and his favor is for a lifetime.

 Weeping may tarry for the night,

but joy comes with the morning

Focused on God

Keeping our eyes focused on God and His promises may not immediately remove the current pain or struggle we are going through, but it does give us hope.  Hope founded in faith.  Trusting Him, clinging to Him, and relying on Him.  

Isaiah  65:17

“For behold, I create new heavens

and a new earth,

and the former things shall not be remembered

or come into mind

2 Peter 3:13

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace

Gladness of Heart

Isaiah 65:13

Therefore thus says the Lord God:

“Behold, my servants shall eat,

but you shall be hungry;

behold, my servants shall drink,

but you shall be thirsty;

behold, my servants shall rejoice,

but you shall be put to shame;

 behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart,

but you shall cry out for pain of heart

and shall wail for breaking of spirit

Psalm 5:11

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover him with favor as with a shield

Psalm 2:12

Blessed are all who take refuge in him

There are times gladness of heart seems so far away.  The pain this world throws at us is unbearable but aren’t you glad we have God who we can take refuge in.  He comforts the broken hearted and has promised to never leave us or forsake us.  Our peace and rest are found in Him alone.

Thank You for Opening My Eyes

God, thank you for opening my eyes and heart to your grace and purpose through the redemption found in Jesus Christ.  Keep my feet on a path that finds purpose each day honoring you.

Isaiah 65:1

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name.  I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;  a people who provoke me to my face continually

Romans 1:18

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God

He Has Molded Us

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”  We are created beings for a single purpose; to honor and glorify God.  He has given each of us talents to be used for this purpose but I find in my own life I like to claim some of these talents as my own.  At the end of the day who gave me the ability to learn, understand, and execute these skills.  If I see myself as the lump of clay being molded by God would I look at these skills differently?  Would I be more thankful?  Would I seek to hear His quiet still voice directing me to actions that bring Him honor and glory?  Would people be able to see the love of God?  

God forgive me for wanted to take any credit for that which you clearly have molded into who and what I am.

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O Lord, you are our Father;

 we are the clay, and you are our potter;

 we are all the work of your hand

45:9

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him

29:15

You turn things upside down!

Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,

that the thing made should say of its maker,

“He did not make me”;

or the thing formed say of him who formed it,

“He has no understanding”

Romans 9:19

For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay

Come As You Are

Trying to be good enough for God is not the answer.  

He wants you to come to Him just the way you are and then He will change you from the inside out.  

Isaiah 59:12

For our transgressions are multiplied before you,

and our sins testify against us;

for our transgressions are with us,

and we know our iniquities:

 transgressing, and denying the Lord,

and turning back from following our God

64:6

We have all become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, 

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but in order that the world might be saved through him. 

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, 

but whoever does not believe is condemned already, 

because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God

More Than We Think or Imagine

In Ephesians it says God can do more than we think and much more than we can imagine.  He is awesome in power and might.  He is steadfast in His love for servants who walk before Him with all their heart.

Isaiah 64:3

When you did awesome things that we did not look for

Exodus 15:11

“Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?

Who is like you, majestic in holiness,

awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders

Deuteronomy 3:24

‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours

1 Kings 8:232

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart

Place of Rest

How can you know you are in a place of rest if you are not seeking the Lord in what He is leading you to do.  Do we go our own way and ask Him to bless us.  Are we asking for Him to bless us when we have not sought Him with our heart or humbled ourselves before Him.  Our purpose is to honor and glorify Him.  Humbly seek Him and find purpose and rest doing His will for your life.

Isaiah 63:14

the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.

So you led your people,

 to make for yourself a glorious name

Jeremiah 29:12

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord

Daniel 10:12

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words

Ezekiel 44:13

They shall not come near to me, to serve me as priest, nor come near any of my holy things and the things that are most holy, but they shall bear their shame and the abominations that they have committed