Changed lives…

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name. (Isaiah 63:7–14)

As a new Christian many years ago, my mentor had me do a Bible study on sin. I don’t remember the details of that lengthy study, but realize the wisdom of this assignment. Instead of responding to conviction of sin with honest confession, it made me realize how often I made excuses for it. 

That happens, sometimes with deliberate deception in order to cover it, and sometimes with a sincere belief that whatever was done was okay. These days, I think of a non-Christian who takes great effort to do and say the right things. Another person is a Christian but takes the glory for all his skills to the point of bragging about them. As these things happen, I feel sadness. Both are stressed with their actions and attitude and yet cannot see (or admit) that they are doing the wrong thing by being insincere. 

My role? Pray. One is oblivious to her hypocrisy. The other is hearing rebuke but his pride holds tight to his own power to do good.

Jesus, it has taken me years to see how I’ve done both. My pride in myself has blocked my relationship with You. Once I could see and honestly deal wit it, what a difference. As I’ve told these two, being weak and unable is actually better than thinking I can do it all without You. In feeling and admitting, I rely on You and then discover more love and power than I’d never know otherwise. Your ways and Your will are always a joyful surprise. I’d love to see You in action in the lives of these two people. Right now, both seem oblivious, yet You are God who can reveal truth and change hearts. May they hear You and be transformed.

Promises for family…

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. (Isaiah 61:1–7)

Even Christians alert to the mess in the world worry about what will be the fate of our children and grandchildren. Some speak of the return of Christ, yet with concern that the generation that experiences that wonderful event will suffer greatly. Such worry is either ignorant of God's promises, or unaware of what He can do. 

Is the above passage a lie? A false promise? Up until now, everything God promised has happened. Is He going to cease bringing good news to the poor, or stop binding up the brokenhearted? Will there be no more liberty for those who are not free, or comfort for those who grieve? Will God granting righteousness to sinners and cease bringing glory to Himself?

If I trust Him now, for today’s faith and and spiritual needs, and to bring me through tests and trials, why not trust Him to do the same in the future, or even for those who are not yet born? 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

God does not change. My offspring might, but that depends on Him. He can draw them to Himself and give them redemption and the new life of Christ. For this, whether I get to see it or not, I have the assurances of God's unchanging love and promises. He says:

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. (Isaiah 54:13)

My part? Obey the Lord. Do what He says. Teach as He leads. Live like His Son. Pray for them always.

Jesus, Your Spirit convicts of sin an grants understanding and redemption. May I not interfere with what You do and speak, but support and glorify You by what I do and say. 

 

OT Gospel

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (Isaiah 59:1–2)
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men. (Isaiah 59:9–10)

Good news begins with bad news. All are sinners, separated from God as He hides His face from us. Sin requires punishment. But love and mercy demand justice…

Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (Isaiah 59:15–17)

Therefore God puts on a human body, is born to human parents, grows up as a sinless man, and takes our place to receive what we deserve for our sin…

“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” 

And because of His amazing grace, we enter His kingdom, with His ways, blessings, a new way to live, and all goodness and glory comes to us because the Lord died that we might live…

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. (Isaiah 59:20–60:5)

God silenced the bad news by becoming a substitute to redeem sinners, to bring good news and change our destiny. What a wonder! Jesus died for me and He now lives in me — and in all who believe.

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:16–17)

Jesus, the desire of my heart is that all hear it, all believe it, all join me in this journey from sinner to saint, from hell-bound to heaven-bound, from fear to freedom, from shame to glory, from death to eternal life.

He is both merciful and just…

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 
Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. 
For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed. 
(Isaiah 61:1–9)

Sometimes I feel like a teeter-totter. On one end sits a pessimist who tends to see the worst and can even dip into a depressive thought that nothing good is happening and nothing good will ever happen. Yet that thinking flies away when God gives me passages like this one. He is not done with sinners and the optimist end of the see-saw rises and laughs at my foolishness. How can I forget the promises and plans of God?

Nothing is too hard for Him, yet I have to be on the high side to see it. Getting there requires deeper thinking, focused thought, determination to know what I know, and confession of all unbelief that allows that pessimist be the heavy weight in this battle.

The very next verse in this passage tells me how to think, how to defeat that negative thinking:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

 And the NT has much to say about this spiritual war with the flaming arrows of those evil ‘principalities and powers’ that are determined to overthrow my faith:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. . . .  (Philippians 2:12–16)

Having God work in me includes giving me the will to do the work He asks. I know my helplessness and have realized that it is in that helplessness that He not only works but is glorified. The pessimist gives Him opportunity to declare His hatred of sin and the optimist states the wonder of His grace and mercy.

Jesus, when people ask how I am, I often make this hand gesture /\/\/\/ for it is true that life is that way because You teach me who You are in both the sunshine and the storms, the ups and downs of life. Many only want the ups with its optimism yet I know You better because of the downs, and either way, that You are with me and working out my salvation for me so that I shine and don’t grumble.

Gospel — Jesus is calling…

And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:9–12)

The Gospel is simple yet so profound and so different than human thinking that it makes no sense without the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith to understand it and believe it. Think of it; God became a man. How sci-fi that sounds. And that man was sinless, meaning He didn’t do anything according to His own will but always spoke and acted as instructed by His Father in heaven. And His Father in heaven told Him to take our place and die for our sins, which He did, again saying “Not my will but Thine be done.”

We occasionally have a parent who offers to take the punishment or pay the fine for their offspring who has committed a crime, but that is infinitely small compared to what Jesus did that day on a cross just outside Jerusalem. 

This is how Isaiah describes sin:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

Consider the population even at this moment and how each person, including Christians, makes decisions  without consulting God. Then multiply that by all the people that ever lived. That is an awful lot of sin. And pain, guilt. And all children are born with this sinful way of life. The entire human race is at odds with our Creator — unless we accept Jesus and His sacrifice as our salvation. 

Further, no one can do the will of the Father without Him. That sin-nature is unable to yield without the power of the Holy Spirit who comes to live in believers. It is as Jesus said:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1–5)

Yet even as we need Him, He blesses us just as the OT prophet says:

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

For this incredible truth, the Lord calls to everyone with this invitation:

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6–9)

Yes, it is simple, but the Gospel is profound and beyond understanding to human thoughts. For this reason…

Lord Jesus, I continue to pray that You will have mercy on all who have not yet heard Your call and given their lives to You. Speak to the hearts of unsaved family and friends, to all men and women who are lost without faith in You. Do a mighty work of redemption before You come again and before it is too late.

Grow Deeper in Trials

For thus says the Lord: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.” For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. Now therefore what have I here,” declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised. Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” (Isaiah 52:3–6)

Israel had experienced three captivities. They “went down” voluntarily into Egypt by  invitation to live there but eventually were cruelly and unjustly reduced to slavery. After God delivered them to freedom, many of them were violently carried into captivity by the Assyrian kings who also oppressed them. Then later, as Isaiah wrote, they were suffering under a third captivity in Babylonia. 

God received nothing when he allowed his people to become slaves. He took no price for them, and therefore is free to claim them back without payment but He has to say the word, so what will He do under these circumstances?

God speaks of three principal issues to answer His own question. 1) The Babylonians have obtained possession of the Israelites without purchase—for nought; (2)They use their authority harshly and brutally; and (3) they continually blaspheme the His Name. All three are grounds for bringing the captivity to an end, and coming forward with the cry of a deliverer, “Here I am.” 

While the oppressors insult over these captives with shouts and yells of triumph in blaspheming the name of the Lord, they begin to understand by practical experience who God is and that He is powerful. They began to understand that a day of deliverance would come.
I do not need to imagine the conflict of being held in a place where God is insulted and I am hearing the insults. This a description of what I experience in spiritual warfare. The Liar is loud and takes advantage of unpleasant or unexpected external circumstances such as illness, loss, and other trials to turn my head the wrong way.

Again, Jesus You say, “Here I am” and Your presence and Your voice are enough — for it is in these battles that I more deeply know You. As you say, You use all things for my good, even the taunts of my enemies to teach me about You.

Relief from the Accuser

Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: Thus says your Lord, the Lord, your God who pleads the cause of his people: “Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering; the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more; and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, ‘Bow down, that we may pass over’; and you have made your back like the ground and like the street for them to pass over.” (Isaiah 51:21–23)

By the thinking of many Christians, these days are the last days according to the many descriptions in both OT and NT. I’m cautious about date-setting yet the daily news seems to be building up to something.

One thing I’ve noticed is the activity of the Liar in my own life. Every time God blesses me with answered prayer or an opportunity to share Jesus with someone else, I get an extreme attack of accusations from Satan about who God is (or isn’t) and my failures as a member of His family. His lies have enough truth in them that I often feel lost and crippled and need to remember passages like this one:

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:10–12)

Eve’s downfall came because she listened to what the devil in the garden told her. He appealed to her sense of self and suggested God didn’t really love her. He does the same to me, and when circumstances seem to back him up and my thoughts go there instead of to the promises and character of God, I fall into a pit of discouragement — but not for long as God reminds me again who I am and that I belong. Today He reminds me that the wrath I deserve has been put on my tormentor who wants to walk all over me. The Liar is defeated — by the blood of Christ, by my declaration of faith, and by no fear of death. And get this, he is coming at me, and at the people of God in great fury “because he knows that his time is short.” 

In the mind of God, ‘short’ could mean soon or a thousand years. No matter. The Liar knows that Jesus wins and just those two words erase his accusations and replace them with a hallelujah!

Jesus, just forgetting truth for a moment is awful and the perfectionist in me thinks it is a terrible sin. As I confess my frailties, You are right here to encourage with just the right words for a rebuttal to his lies and nastiness. He can appeal to my human selfishness, hit me where I am weak, twist my emotions with many unexpected events, and side-track me with nonsense, but he cannot defeat You or the blood that You shed for me, or the faith that You planted in my heart. He is also powerless against all fear. For You did not give me a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7). May Your Spirit continually remind me that “Jesus wins.”