We have to keep our eyes and hearts on God and on His word - that is the only sure thing in this crazy mixed up world. So many promises throughout God's word to His children. But they are conditional. He loves us unconditionally, but He does not promise to bless us unconditionally.
3 “And my blessings are for Gentiles, too,
when they commit themselves to the Lord."
6 “I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the Lord,
and serve him and love his name,
who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest,
and who have accepted his covenant.
God continually tries to get us to understand the importance of His word. Chapter 55 stresses that His word is food for the soul:
1 “Is anyone thirsty?
Come and drink—
even if you have no money!
Come, take your choice of wine or milk—
it’s all free!
2 Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength?
Why pay for food that does you no good?
Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul.
I like the wording of verse 3 - “Come to me with your ears wide open.
Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake."
The life of our soul is at stake. Just meditate on that one sentence for a moment. "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake." How much do we really care about 'the life of our soul'?
Verse 6 gives the impression that time is a factor:
6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways
and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
I love that God gives us examples from the 'natural world' to teach us 'spiritual' truth:
10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
He also talks about how they continue to worship 'gods' who aren't 'gods at all'. Then he asks some pointed questions:
57:11 “Are you afraid of these idols?
Do they terrify you?
Is that why you have lied to me
and forgotten me and my words?
Is it because of my long silence
that you no longer fear me?
It reminds me of several verses - "Before I was afflicted, I went astray. But now, I have kept thy law." And "Whom the Lord loves, He disciplines."
The following verse is one that I will memorize:
57:15 The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
“I live in that high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I refresh the humble
and give new courage to those with repentant hearts.
On the way to school today as I was talking with Cooper, I told him that for me, personally, it's time to really apply the things I am reading. Even though God's word will accomplish His purposes when we read it, how much more will it accomplish His purposes when we memorize and apply it. It's time to start living His word.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
God is both action and being. He is who He is. Is is a word of being, just an atribute. But God also judges, acts, defends. He wants us to be his and act from that.
ReplyDelete