TEARS
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 23-25
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Mike Martin, a missionary to Turkey, stands in the ruins of Laodicea. Earthquakes through the centuries have destroyed many historic regions of the world. The Lord said in Revelation 3:16 of the Laodicean church concerning their faith and works, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 23 pronounces judgment. Tyre, the hometown of Jezebel, daughter of the King of Tyre and the Queen who introduced Baal worship to Israel, is to be destroyed. Today the site of Tyre is a barren wasteland on the coast of Lebanon. There are no houses and no harbour for the ships of Tarshish (Spain). Sidon is a flourishing city today.
Isaiah 24 gives us a description of some of the results of the separation of creation from its Creator because of the rebellion of men and women to whom God gave responsibility for the care of the Earth. Isaiah 24:19-20 describes a scene like the one in the photograph above. “The earth is violently broken…the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard.”
Isaiah 25 is filled with hope for mankind. God is never left without a plan for restoration. He is our Strength, our Refuge from the storm, and our Shade! “The Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces!” How gentle and caring He is to those who “have waited for Him” (25:8-9)!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, rebellious people and nations have brought disaster upon themselves, but as for me, I wait for You and You have promised Your help in time of trouble. I pray for the grace of waiting patiently for You! I ask this in and through the Name of Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve walked over the barren rocks where proud Tyre once stood. I’ve walked through the streets of Sidon and laughed with the children playing out in front of high-rise apartment buildings. The tragedy was that the terrorists stored their bombs in the basements of these buildings, knowing that the Israelis would never deliberately bomb childen. It’s all so very sad. The tears God will wipe away are not from self pity, but from the tragedy of human cruelty. May God have mercy on us all!
In the photo below, my son David Reynold, an ordained Minister and our professional photographer, is showing a minor example of Isaiah 24:19, “The Earth split open!” Click here for one of Reynold’s reports after returning from Haiti following the big earthquake of January 2010.
Yours for shedding tears and giving sacrificially!
David
On January 12th, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude quake struck Haiti. Reynold, who had served the people of Haiti previously, was sent there by the Board of Directors of Crossroads to asses how best to assist. Through the 100 Huntley Street television program and its relief and development arm, viewers and supporters of Crossroads/100 Huntley Street poured over $1,000,000 into aid for Haiti.
Today, we read about great devastation because of sin. However, there is hope for those who trust in and obey God’s instructions. May we draw closer to Him each day and follow His precepts.
Wishing everyone a most blessed new year!
Amen Luisa, continue to pray for you and Joseph.
May 2022 be a better year for all of us.🙏
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Agreeing in continued prayer for you and Joseph, Luisa; and you and Edward, Eleanor. Thinking also of Doreen at this time. For a healthier 2022 for all saints needing prayer. In Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen. 🙏
Thank you Beverlee,many Blessings to you in the Bee Year
Sorry Meant New Year🙏
Father God, as 2021 draws to a close I pray for all of my blog friends. For those who are lonely or dealing with pain and health concerns, for those sitting at a bedside of a very ill loved one, for those who are exhausted and afraid or even angry at times and for all of us who have lost a dear loved one.
Oh Lord life is messy and complicated and hard at times, but it is also filled with hope
and beauty and peace and joy…. because of Jesus Christ who took our place!
Father, may Your hope and peace fill our hearts, in spite of circumstances.
Lord you do indeed ” give songs in the night!” Amen
May God’s peace fill all of our hearts in 2022, and may His will be done!
Amen Anne,agreeing with your heartfelt prayer. Eleanor M.
Thank you,Anne.The older we get the more relevant that prayer is.I pray this too for you,our fellow bloggers and those we know who need this prayer.May the new year bring health and good news along with God’s blessings
As Your Word tells us, “Thus far You have carried us”, and You are not about to let us go. Thank You, Lord, for Your faithfulness. Help each one of Your children to return to You, as the prodigal did, expecting, even deserving condemnation, but finding instead love, acceptance, mercy and even joy in the arms of his loving Father. Thank You for Your absolute unchanging perfection, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen May our Lord take care of us in 2022 and His Will Be Done
Amen Rob,Thank you for your prayers so well put. New year Blessings to you.
Amen Rob. Thank You Lord for Your help & direction. I pray for families during this holiday time. Glorify Yourself Lord, and draw all people to Yourself. Open the hearts and understanding during these difficult times. May we see You more clearly. Bless missionaries everywhere as they care for the needy. Blessings all.
As much as we can tell from our bible,God always leaves a remnant.(Are there other ‘Sodom and Gomorah’s’ ? That God wanted forgotten?) We see “In that day” a lot.Is it referring to ‘our time/day I wonder?
I pray the New Year will bring happiness and good news and joy throughout the year for all.Many thanks also and great blessings for Ron,his family and to all at Crossroads.Today my son turns 35.
Happy New Year
At this time each and every year
We reflect back on that road of life
To see the loved ones we hold near
And to bury the hurt with the strife,
So may this change be your treasure
As you walk down this new road
And may you find joy without measure
And the faith to lighten your load.
GW (Bill) Marshall /Jan 01, 2016
Amen
Amen Bill love your poem. Blessings in The New Year.
Amen Bill!!!
Amen
And may all of you have a blessed and prosperous New year in 2022 🎆🎉
Happy New Year to all my blog brothers and sisters in Christ.
Amen to all above prayers.
May God bless you all this year..