Past Devotions

Isaiah 40, the chapter on Comfort for God’s People begins with a command in verse 1 to comfort God’s people. Then it flows into a beautiful picture of making a way in people’s lives for the glory of the LORD to be revealed. That is followed immediately by another command, “Cry out,” and the prophet’s response, “What shall I cry?” [vs 3-5, 6]

God’s command is three-fold.

First, remind men of their fragility, “All men are like grass and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers and the flowers fall.” [Verses 6-8]

Second, remind men of their God, “Here is your God!  See the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him … He tends his flock like a shepherd.  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” [Verse 10-11]

Third, do this at the top of your lungs! “You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.  You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid.”  [Verse 9]

There is a certain perspective needed for comfort. First must come an acknowledgement of need. We are finite. We cannot do it alone. There are times when we have to say, “I’m withering God and about to fall.” With that acknowledgment of need we open the door for the power of God in our lives. It is the first true step to starting that highway for the glory of the Lord to be revealed.

For true comfort there is also the need to know that the one who provides the comfort is capable of doing so. Is our God truly strong enough to comfort us? (Tomorrow that answer.)

And sometimes the message must be loud enough to drown out the noise of this world!

As I showered this morning, I was thinking of all the things I must get ready for surgery. This will be surgery number 17. Would it surprise you that I just don’t want to do this anymore!

How often and how many of us are faced with situations we just “don’t want to do any more.” They can run the range from physical tests, ailments or treatments; growing old; family problems; problems at work or with money; problems in our churches or jobs or neighborhoods.

We just don’t want to do it anymore!

And then I heard God remind me of Isaiah 40 which begins, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”  [40:1]

If there is anything we need in this life, it is the comfort of God. Life is tough. Life is unfair. Life is unpredictable. We can be flying along so well and then are blindsided by a situation or circumstance.  Sometimes the tough situations go on for long periods of time.

Oh, I know, I’ve talked about this before in the devotions, but maybe it is time to talk about it again. (Maybe it’s just me that needs to hear it again!)

Listen to the opening of Isaiah 40 again. “Comfort, comfort my people says your God.”

That sounds like a command to me. Given to Isaiah for the people of God. I am going to spend time in Isaiah 40 (Again!) for my own spiritual wellbeing. You are more than welcome to join me!

“Comfort, comfort my people says your God.”

Friday was a fun day. First, my pinched nerve started flaring again and neither the neck traction nor the heating pad helped much. Second, the master bathroom light fixture stopped working. Third, the AC started acting up.

I went to bed early hoping that would help with the pinched nerve, but no sleep was to be had. It was July 4, and the neighborhood decided to celebrate with mortars and bottle rockets. That lasted until past midnight when I was finally able to drift off to sleep.

I was not in the best of moods Saturday morning when I crawled out of bed at 5 AM. I grabbed a cup of coffee, put a couple fans in the windows and opened my email verse of the day to this …

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” [Matthew 6:34 NLT]

As I opened that verse, I was already beginning to think about all the other “troubles” I needed to handle leading up to my surgery. Instead, I put those things aside and decided to just take care of today’s “troubles.”

They were surely “enough for today.” And I began by taking them to the LORD in prayer. He’s far better at handling my “troubles” than I am. Amen.

I spent July 2 thinking about my friend Patty. It was her birthday, and she was spending it in heaven with the family and friends who had gone before her. As I thought about her and wished she was still here with us, God reminded me that Patty lived out every one of the days that were numbered for her. (Even though I think they were too few.) [Psalm 139:16]

Often when God brings the remembrance of a verse, I open my Bible and read not just that verse but the entire chapter where it is found. When I got to the end of Psalm 139, I read what I call a “dangerous prayer.”

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” [vss 23-24 NLT]

Whenever I sincerely pray that prayer, God always tests me and points out the things that “offend” Him. Then it is my turn to once again repent and to get back on the path of everlasting life.

I was also reminded of another dangerous prayer I have prayed in the past – “God use me!”

All through life we have opportunities to pray “dangerous prayers.” And when we do, God gives us the privilege of living out His answers – trusting He will always lead along the “path of everlasting life.”

July 2 was my friend Patty’s 69^th birthday. Instead of celebrating that day with her family and friends here, she celebrated it with her family and friends in the Presence of the LORD in glory.

I miss her. I know many others do also. I spent the day thinking about her and how much I wish I could just call her up to talk and laugh and cry with her.

To me, the time we had together was too short. When I expressed that opinion to the LORD, He graciously and kindly reminded me that He knows the number of our days here on earth. He knew them before we ever experienced even one of them.

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” [Psalm 139:16 NLT]

I spent time with another dear friend that morning. I told her it was Patty’s birthday and that while I missed her, God had reminded me that Patty lived out the days that were numbered for her. I may think they were too few, but ….

My dear friend shared my grief and then also reminded me that because God knows every day of our lives, we can live them without fear. Yes. Thank you, LORD.

I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but raised across the state in Pittsburgh. The signing of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, took place at the Pennsylvania State House, Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Fifty-six men declared their thirteen colonies independent from British rule. They became the “United States of America.” Nine of those men were Pennsylvania delegates, including one named, Benjamin Franklin.

This was the history I learned growing up in Pennsylvania. The Revolutionary War, the fight for independence was what I cut my teeth on.  One of my favorite memories is seeing and touching the Liberty Bell on a trip to Philadelphia. When July 4, Independence Day, rolls around each year, I am reminded of my heritage. I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be a native of Pennsylvania.

When I think of the 4th of July I think of the men and women who sacrificed and fought for freedom. To me, it is so much more than picnics and parades, barbeques and fireworks. To me it is battlefields and graveyards; a freedom obtained through the courage and blood of determined men and women.

Have we made mistakes as a nation since?  Surely, that is without debate. Still, on July 4, I am reminded of the greatness of a people who loved freedom enough to give their very lives for it. I pray there are still those willing to do so.

This freedom that we love so much is born in the heart of God. Christ came that we might experience true freedom. May we remember today what is truly important. [Luke 4:18, Galatians 5:1]

If you were to ask me what my favorite Scripture verse is, my response would go something like this, “Whatever I need at the moment.”

I do, however, have verses that have had special meaning to me during different times. When I was first saved and doubted I could ever “walk worthy” of God’s calling, God led me to Philippians 1:6: “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I realized then that I could complete this walk with God because He promised that what He started in me He would finish.  I also have a verse that I have tried to live by. It is Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

 I came to realize early that it is not the size or greatness of the task that matters. What matters is how we do it. It can be behind a pulpit, work in the marketplace or business, taking care of a young family or aging loved one. It can be as simple as cleaning up at church after Sunday Service or perhaps attending a prayer group.

I truly believe that what matters to the heart of our Father God is whether we do it to honor His Son … and do it with a thankful heart.

What is on your agenda today? “Whatever your hand finds to do,” do it all in the name of the LORD Jesus … and give thanks to Your Father for the privilege.

I have a special love for hawks. Years ago, I was on a worship walk and saw a hawk making “lazy circles in the sky.” It was during a tough time in my life and as I watched that hawk circling overhead, I heard God speak His love into my soul. Ever since then when I see a hawk circling in the sky, I remember God’s love and I thank him for His loving care.

Wednesday, July 25, I had labs and other tests done in anticipation for my July surgery. A few of them came back stamped “abnormal.” I won’t know until tomorrow’s per-operative appointment how or if those “abnormals” will affect me going forward. I just know that seeing that made me a little nervous.

The next day, Thursday, July 26, following prayer at church, I headed to St. Luke’s to pick up two prescriptions. On the trip over there and home I spotted six different hawks circling in the sky. By the time I spotted the last one, I was laughing and thanked God – “Thank you, LORD, I get it – You do love me. I don’t have to worry any more about the ‘abnormals.’”

Then I heard God speak Nahum 1:7 into my soul: “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” [NLT]

The world is ripe with “abnormals.” They assault our peace whenever they get the chance. But thankfully we serve a LORD who is good, a LORD who is a strong refuge when those “abnormals” come. He draws close to us. And the hawks – the birds of the air – remind us of His faithful love.

Despite all the advancements of our modern era, people are still the same. We may claim to be more sophisticated or advanced or civilized, but we haven’t really changed. We share most of the same attitudes as our ancestors. We handle things very much the same way.

I was reading in Isaiah this week and got to chapter 39 about King Hezekiah. Hezekiah did some things well and other things not so well. When Sennacherib, King of Assyria came against Hezekiah and the nation of Israel, Hezekiah turned to God and God delivered them.

But when Merodach-Baladan, King of Babylon, sent Hezekiah a gift through envoys, Hezekiah got puffed up in pride and showed off everything he had. So, God sent Isaiah to Him with a word that the time was coming when everything – all the glory of Israel – even some of Hezekiah’s very own descendants – would be carried off to Babylon.

It’s Hezekiah’s response that always reminds me of us … “’The word of the LORD you have spoken is good,’ Hezekiah replied. For he thought, ‘There will be peace and security in my lifetime.’”  [39:8]

Ah, at least everything will be good for me … people who come after me can deal with the rest of it!  Isn’t that us, today? Greed influences some corporations to do long-term damage to the environment. We drive governments into debt that our children will struggle to repay. We pollute, we destroy, we “advance” without thinking of long-term consequences or even if we should!

We are very good at passing off the consequences of our actions to the next generation. At least, “there will be peace and security in my lifetime.”  God forgive us.