November 20–Comfort for the Mourners

Good Tuesday to you. Last night Georgia showed me a picture of the museum of the Dead Sea scrolls in Jerusalem and the book of Isaiah is showcased in the center. I’ve been to the one in Dallas, and I cried tears looking at those ancient words—the very voice of God preserved through time. But after seeing the picture of the “big one” I can’t wait to stand in the presence of those holy writings. 


So, i went back and read some of Isaiah last night. And I was once again stuck by the rigorous way the prophet declares Gods message. After chapters on sin, true and false worship, and more warnings about sin, he breaks into a long passage of the coming glory for Jerusalem and wonderful encouragement for His people. God was a fierce protector of His people when hearts and minds were clean and on the one true God. He wanted to be everything to them. 


And then, He says this: “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 ‭NLT‬‬


I know as the holidays are upon us, there are those of us who have sucked mixed feelings—excited to be with friends and family, but greatly missing those who are no longer at our tables. But the Lord our God has promised us beauty for those ashes and a promise that our despair will turn to praise. And it won’t happen overnight, but God’s promises are true and His word can be trusted. We will be like the gray and mighty oaks who stand talk for His glory alone—for He IS worthy and simply wants to be our everything, this fierce protector of His own. 


Dear God, help us to give you our all—every piece of us and every corner of our lives, from the big to the small. You Jehovah are the only one worthy to be our everything. Help us to love you more dearly and trust you more fully. I pray right now for those who are mourning this holiday season. Draw them close to you and let them feel you presence in a real and mighty way. You are our God and we are your people and we praise you for your protection, your love, and your marvelous mercy. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more