THIRSTY???
Suggested Reading: Isaiah 55-56
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
David and his men, fleeing from the death threats of King Saul, stayed here in Ein Gedi and certainly enjoyed the fresh water falling from the desert plateau above. The water courses over several waterfalls of differing sizes before it flows into the Dead Sea. Today's reading starts with an invitation to thirsty people to "come to the waters." Imagine the physical refreshment found here. Then meditate on the spiritual refreshment which is ours as we respond to God's call to come to Him, drinking deeply from "the Water of the Word!" In both Psalms and Ephesians, water is a symbol of God's Word!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 55:7-11
Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it…”
This is the longest emphasis on key verses for this daily blog. We often hear Isaiah 55:8-9 along with a statement such as, “We can’t understand the ‘thoughts’ of God, nor can we keep His ‘ways,’ because His thoughts and ways are up there in Heaven and ours are down here on earth.” This takes these words out of context. Isaiah is not telling us that the separation between God and us cannot be overcome. Verses 10 & 11 tell us how we learn to think the “THOUGHTS” of God, and how we learn to walk in the “WAYS” of God!!! Let us ask ourselves this simple question, “How would we get wet when it is raining?” It’s obvious; go out in the rain and get wet. Take down the umbrella! How does one get covered in snow? Lie down in it. Roll around in it. The result of being soaked in the rain of God’s “THOUGHTS” (our daily readings), and covered in the snow of His “WAYS,” will be life, spiritual growth, a healthy daily diet, and God’s Word accomplishing all He desires in us!!! Go ahead! Get drenched in His Word and His Ways. It’s guaranteed by God’s promise that we will experience “JOY” and “PEACE.” As illustrated in the Sound of Music movie, “The mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing” (Isaiah 55:12). Listen! He’s communicating His thoughts and giving grace to walk in His ways. Don’t leave His “THOUGHTS” and “WAYS” up there in the heavens. Make them ours!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, my thirst is quenched in the waters of Your Word. I pray that You will give me the grace and the consistency to be in Your Word daily, without fail! Thank You for Your promise to “abundantly pardon” me as I ask forgiveness with repentance, forsaking my sinful ways and thoughts. I receive Your mercy! In the Name of the Jesus, Who said from the Cross, “Father forgive them!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I consider Isaiah 56, I cannot miss the fact that Jeremiah identified some people in places of leadership by words such as blind, dumb, asleep, lazy, greedy, self seeking, ignorant and gluttonous drunkards. No doubt this was true and no doubt this was a part of the reason that Jeremiah was put in prison by these people. I’ve heard it said that we define a fanatic as someone who is more passionate about their cause than we are about what we believe and practice. Just last Sunday evening at church there was a man sitting behind me who insisted on shouting with a loud voice words such as “Hallelujah!” and “Glory!” and sometimes he sounded as if he just wanted to make a noise. It bothered me, and I know why. He was more fervent than I was. Actually, I was shouting inside. In fact, when I’m alone, and no one but God can hear me, I have often shouted His praises very loudly indeed! As I read back over what I’ve just written, I don’t know where my musings are going here. I do know that I want to serve God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength, and also I want to love my neighbour as myself. Therefore, I may tone it down while standing right behind my neighbour in church. Maybe?
Norma-Jean and I are now in Florida staying in our mobile home in a senior’s park. It occurs to me that all of us should experience a church service where people shout for God! Check it out! After all, on the birthday of the Church, Peter had to explain the actions of Spirit-filled believers by saying, “These are not drunk as you suppose!” (Acts 2:1-21).
Yours for all that God wants us to be!
David
P.S. In his autobiography, President Bill Clinton said that everyone needs to visit a church service such as the one I described. It occurs to me that he might have avoided impeachment if he had stayed in such a church. The rain of God’s “THOUGHTS” surely will help us overcome some of those thoughts which are sinful and destructive. Amen???
Thank you, David, for your inspiring message, today, and example of the exuberant gentleman at church service.
Seek the Lord while he may be found;
Call on him, while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways
And the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
And to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Isa 55:6-7
If only Curtis Reeves, former cop in Tampa, Florida, had come to know the Lord and live by these words, surely the unfounded murder of Chad Oulson in the Tampa movie theater would have been prevented. My heart and prayers go out to the families involved; especially thinking of the little girl who will grow up without her father. May you grow closer to the Lord and rely on Him as your strength for comfort and solace. He is your Father on earth, and in heaven. Know that thousands of people are praying for strength and offering our condolences to all the family members who have been affected by this tragedy!
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/cops-friends-stunned-respected-captain-movie-theater-slaying-article-1.1578945
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
The mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isa 55:12
The words of Isaiah are so strong to connect us with the right way of thinking and acting Godly. Thank you Reynold for the beautiful photo and captain, today. It makes me think of John 7:38: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
God’s continued blessings to all…
I wonder if church shouters are really praising the Lord or rebelling against man.
Today’s picture is awesome.
Have a wonderful time in Florida David and Norma Jean.
Once again Isaiah has come through for me with blessed words of encouragement and hope. Shalom.
Such assurance is given us as we read about God’s Word never returning void. We are impacted daily on this blog, tangibly as rain and snow. It is amazing how this happens to us so subtly, yet intentionally. It amazes me when change happens in the repetition of events or occurrences which in and of themselves have no relationship, but have brought forth meaning. Such are the infinite ways our Lord communicates with our being when His thoughts and ways are as the universe. Blessings to all, in His strength and love!
Beautifully said, David–thank you!
beautifully said as well… I just copied and posted that on my facebook page…”from today’s blog in 100 words”
Amen David
Reading today’s blog and Isaiah reinforces my prayers at all times. I know when I pray God’s Word over myself and others that His Word will not return void but He will accomplish that for which it was sent.
In our church we hear a lot of loud praising and only when we see the fruit that comes from their lives, we know it’s genuine. Like you said, David, some of us worship in different ways. God always knows our hearts.
Enjoy your time in Florida, David and Norma Jean. My husband and I are looking forward to mid-March when we go there. Winters are so long and cold.
Blessings to everyone today.
Dear Rev. David M.
Reynolds’ wonderful picture of waterfalls and Isiaih brought me to share with you this inspiring song of worship of Brian Doerkson.
Robin Lee Hatcher has a prayer that fully explains what God’s precious Word means to me in that song.
http://www.robinleehatcher.com/he-is-everythin/
Enjoy, everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIAIhB_4o5Y
xxxCarole
Thank you, Carole, for the links. Wonderful lyrics and amazing worship song! For all His glory!
Thank you for those lovely words, David!
I agree that we all should praise God aloud in the church and elsewhere. I believe we, Canadians need to be more spiritually awakened, revived and expressive in the Lord Jesus’ name and not be too complacent or lethargic or tolerant in the wrong way!! I hope you know what I mean! Hope you and Norma-Jean enjoy Florida!
Blessings,
Margaret
what a beautiful illustration are the word “and the trees of the field, will clap their hands!!!…I sang that to my grandson when he was about two…and he rejoiced with me in it…and asked me to sing it again, and again.
He is now grown, and has accepted the Lord in his life a few years ago
“clap your hands, all you people, sing unto God with a voice of triumph, clap you hands all you people, sing unto God with a voice of Praise!!” together with the trees that “clap their hands”
Blessings to all
Irene
Thank You David Mainse for such a great words, encouragement from the Word. These are such great chapters. Have often we have quoted Is. 55:6-7 without the linkage of the verses that follow, I have been guilty of this. But I love the rest of the verses. These days – every day – givng myself to God. My thoughts, my emotions, my life. I laughed about the worshipper shouting and it being rather irritating. I guess it depends if the person is shouting “in the spirit’ or just gratifying the flesh. When a person expressing their praise and glory to God, there is a witness of the spirit that this is “of the Spirit” and not an action of the flesh. I tend to be more comfortable giving God glory and praise sometimes when I get ovewhelmed when sharing the word of God.. but most times, I sing and shout in my car or at home or in an environment where everyone is enjoying the blessings of God. But it doesn’t matter where, as long as it is “in the Spirit”. I guess this applys to everything we do: how much is just ‘flesh’ and how much is “in the Spirit” – I often ask myself this, what is the ratio. 10/90, 50/50. But my desire to be totally led by the Spirit. And confess when flesh gets in the way. We usually know. These are just my thoughts. Thanks David M. for sharing the Word and your own personl expriences. It is really helpful. PS I wonder how Doreen is doing with her decision between surgery or suffering with pain. Blessings to all. Samuel
You are truly funny! I love your Bill Clinton observation, and know it comes from a heart of love. I have been irritated in church by a few too many “amens” from the same lady during a sermon, but in general I prefer a vocal, demonstrative congregation. I can’t believe the straight faces and lifeless congregation I see in some of the big Baptist churches in the US, for example. Charles Stanley’s church. Those people barely smile or move their lips during the singing!!
Thank you Samuel. I have not had the surgery yet. I had a second opinion and that surgeon did not agree with the first one. He said it was not risky as the two others (in the same office) had said. He is a neck and head surgeon and is the head of the surgical department in the hospital so I am happy to accept his decision. I will have an MRI Feb 9 and surgery in the spring (6 mos). I am in a state of low pain (on meds). I try not to take too much although the doctor offered to up the medication. Thank you for asking. God bless you and all the readers/bloggers.
Agree with all the comments today. You heard the saying that we should be as excited in church as we are at a ball game as we have something to be really excited about !!! “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (11 Cor. 3:17b). Halleluyah! Blessings everyone.
I was sorry to see the criticism of Charles Stanley. I believe he is a righteous man and we should not criticise other Christians. We all worship in different ways. The important thing is to believe Jesus died for our sins and accept Him
as our Saviour.