RETURN! COME BACK!
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 20-22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In Nazareth Village, a recreation of what 1st century life may have resembled, a 21st century actor playing a watchman stands guard, watching over his livestock and property from a watchtower. Five times in today’s reading we read the word “watchman.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 21:11b-12
…”Watchman, what of the night?
Watchman, what of the night?”
The watchman said,
“The morning comes, and also the night.
If you will inquire, inquire;
Return! Come back!”
In Chapter 20, Isaiah, naked while he preaches his message, will surely guarantee that he gets attention! (wearing a small loin cloth was also considered being naked). It’s often not enough to merely speak our message. Our words are useless unless people stop and listen. The upcoming New Year is not on Isaiah’s WATCH! It’s on our “WATCH!”
In Chapter 21 our key verses sum up the message to which Isaiah wants people to pay attention: “INQUIRE”…”RETURN”…”COME BACK!” Let us diligently watch for the moment of a turn-around decision in people’s lives. Let us keep a sharp eye out for that time when our family members and others with whom we come into contact are ready to inquire, return, and come back to God! We must not miss those opportunities; they may come only once!
In Chapter 22 Jerusalem is the focus. The Tyropean Valley is in the very heart of the city between Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. Today, it is filled with the rubble from the destructions caused by numerous invading armies. This filled-up valley is paved over now and forms the area in front of the famous Wailing Wall, where Jews pray fervently for the restoration of the Temple of God and for His coming Kingdom. It may have been in this valley that Isaiah received his visions of the future.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I may be wide awake, watching carefully so as not to miss the moment of decision in precious lives. At that precise instant, may I get attention not for myself but to call for a decision for Christ! I pray for wisdom, because You said, “He [or she] who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). I pray this in the Name of the One Who never missed an opportunity to call people to “inquire, return, and come back” to God, the Lord Jesus, Himself! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It was in Pembroke that I first gave the message of Jesus on TV (1962). There was only one TV signal people could receive and Crossroads was there at 11:30 pm Saturday nights. People paid attention and some inquired, turned to Jesus and were saved. Just prior to this, Syd Healey, a Pembroke businessman, had pushed a cheque for $300.00 across his desk to pay for the start-up of the Crossroads TV ministry. He surely got my attention! I knew for sure that God wanted to use television for His message to all people. I’m very thankful that God did not ask me to do what He asked Isaiah to do in order to draw attention to the message!!!
Yours for making sure we have people’s attention and then for driving home the message of Jesus!!!
David
P.S. Billions of precious people are watching television, their computer screens, laptops, iPads, smart phones, etc. Crossroads is all over the world in effective attention-getting ways. It’s our “WATCH!” Please pray fervently for God’s direction for the leadership team of Crossroads.
I guess that there wasn’t a police service and laws preventing people to be naked in public! Thankfully, such a person would be taken into care or jail now. Blessings all on this upcoming New Year.
Standing in prayer for God’s direction for the Crossroads ministry. Their message is important especially in these troubled times.
Congratulations Doreen on your newest grandson, may he come to know the Lord and be blessed through all his life.
Praying for Eleanor and Edward, that they feel Gods love with each new day.
Praying that Gods will be done in Israel, that the leaders are taking time to pray and listen to God each step of the way, including our leaders and the USA.
HJR Edward was was very ill it started on Christmas Eve . By Tuesday he was worse so we took him to the hospital. They checked him out and said he had to be admitted..
They found out he was septic and would’ve have lived only a few days. They gave him some treatment and it seemed to help. On the next day we were told he was being removed to the oncology Palliative care ward.
Edward has agreed for them to take of all things etc transfusions except he can have morfeen for pain and other drugs to help him sleep.
I would value yours prayers, I have been sleeping on a couch near his bedside as he wanted me there.
The family are very good and helpfu.l. We are trusting the Lord that he doesn’t suffer for too long. He is ready to go so that is agreat comfort to all of us.
In Christ Eleanor M.
May God bless and keep You both in His never-ending care and love. In Jesus’s name, amen
Dear Eleanor,
You and Edward have been very much on my mind. I will continue to pray for strength through this most difficult time.
I can relate to spending many a night sitting on a chair by my husband’s side. The Lord is right there with you and He holds you close to His bosom. His peace will cover you
Dear Eleanor,
I am praying for our Lord Jesus to comfort
you at this sad time and bless both you
and your husband Edward with His Peace,
in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.
HJR:
I am also standing with you in Prayer:
Thanksgiving for Doreen’s new Gr-Grandson; God’s Blessings in Eleanore and Edward’s lives;
And
Prayers for all countries experiencing war and devastation and tremendous sorrow.
Praying for the governments in NAmerica… Leaders to have God-ordained Wisdom and Knowledge in governing, both of our countries, for the people, on the principles our countries were built-up on.
May those who govern in pride, and with wrong motives and understanding step-down from their Office. May they be replaced by God-ordained Leaders
AND
MAY our GOD reign over all, in all and through all.
I am joining HJR and Laur in their prayers. I also have been thinking of and praying for Edward and Eleanor. May God guide and uphold them during this trying time.
In every circumstance, may we look to you, Lord and not lose heart.
Blessings on everyone.