why missions will succeed

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13808Isaiah 45

Isaiah was one of the first to predict that people from all over the world would come to the LORD and be saved. In this passage he tells us why this will happen.

Missions will succeed because of who God is.  He is the only God who can save, and only he knows the future. 

Missions will succeed because it is what he has called us to do.  He has called us to fellowship with one another (20), and to declare and present our case before the world (21).

Missions will succeed because God promised that it would.  The ends of the earth will hear the call to turn to the LORD (22); every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear allegiance (23).

LORD, enable us and our children to be involved in the mission of reaching the nations for Christ. 

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unless the LORD…

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13802Psalm 127

The psalmist pictures hard workers, and careful defenders, then tells them both that unless the LORD is with them, their efforts are wasted. A believer is going to work, but he is also going to show his faith in God by resting.  Sleep is a gift to a righteous man: an opportunity to show trust.  Those blessed with children have been given another great gift  — another opportunity to give the LORD praise, to let him be the blesser.

LORD, thank for the blessings of rest, and children.

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rejecting the fantasy

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13801Isaiah 44:6-28

The LORD calls on his people to look at himself as the first and the last, the one who has made the future known.  Then he calls on the idol worshippers to look at the lie in their right hands.  Their idols were carved from a block of wood, half of which was used to build a fire to warm themselves and cook their food.  Will they worship ashes?  He is reality and they are not.

LORD, keep our eyes focused on your reality.  Give us wisdom to reject the fantasy.

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trust in sproutless days

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13800Psalm 126

The LORD is the one who restores.  The imagery is that of  harvest joy even though the planting was done in sorrow.  Much of our lives we will have to be doing the right thing, not knowing whether it will result in any kind of satisfaction or success.  We have to trust the God who restores.  He has our future in his hands.

LORD, give us wisdom to trust you during the planting season, the long days when we see no sprouts.

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a new thing

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11935Isaiah 43:1-44:1

When the Israelites remembered all the miracles God did to deliver them, they never failed to remember when he made a “way in the sea path in the mighty waters” (43:16).  He opened the Red Sea and allowed his people to pass on dry ground. It was an unprecedented miracle.  Yet now the LORD promises through Isaiah that he is going to do a new thing, a new miracle. He will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert … that they might declare my praise (20-21).  He will pour out his Spirit upon their offspring and his blessing upon their descendants (44:3).  God’s punishment will flatten them into a dry desert, and then his grace will pour the water of the Holy Spirit upon that land making it spiritually prosperous again. This is God’s new thing which he started at Pentecost.

LORD, make us part of the new thing that you are doing. We accept your Holy Spirit.

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unopposed

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13795Psalm 125

The LORD promises that the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous.  This assured Israel that their nation would not remain in bondage to a heathen king.  It assures us that our Adversary will not usurp the throne of the earth forever.  His fall is as certain as that of the kings of ancient Assyria and Babylon.

LORD, thank you for your Son, who will reign for eternity – unopposed.

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unexpected

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC13794Isaiah 42

Israel had given itself up to plunder and imprisonment, blindness and deafness to the LORD’s will – so the LORD will aim hios ministry on earth to those those who are blind and deaf, and will show himself mighty against his foes in a way that his people would not expect.

LORD, make us sensitive to your will and your ways.  Forgive us for being blind to you.

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broken snare

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0007bPsalm 124

The snare of the fowler is a trap that encases birds in a net.  The psalmist sees his people as being trapped in that net, goners for sure.  Then, suddenly, the snare is broken, and they are free.  This is the LORD’s doing.  The LORD was on their side, and he made the difference between escape and extinction. 

 

Blessed be the name of the LORD, our help.

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history is his story

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0007Isaiah 41

The idols that the nations frantically build will be no match for the ruler God is sending to take his vengeance upon them.  God is the first to tell them of this coming ruler (Cyrus), and he will be there at the last, when he appears.  All history is in his control.

LORD, we surrender to your will.

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best boss

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0006Psalm 123

Anyone who has ever had a boss, and depended on that boss, knows what this psalmist is getting at.  He lifts up his eyes to the LORD because the LORD holds his future in his hands.  The LORD will decide what happens in his life.  We can trust our boss.  He has our best interest in mind.   His plans will bring us restoration and eternal life.

LORD, we lift up our eyes to you.

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