the burdens of Bel and Nebo

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11938Isaiah 46-47

The gods of the Babylonians had their day.  They thought that they had exalted the empire (the daughter of Babylon) to everlasting prominence (47:7). But the LORD reveals through the prophet that it was HE who had allowed this power. Now he is determined to take it away. He will take vengeance upon that great political system that ruled by pleasure, idolatry, sorcery, and astrology. Why? He gave Israel into their hand, but they showed no mercy (47:6). They thought that no one saw them (47:10).  They were wrong.

LORD, forgive us for the times we do our own thing without a thought that it is to you that we are accountable. Grant us wisdom to submit to your word in the days of prominence and peace.

Posted in humility, Isaiah, sovereignty of God, submission | Tagged , | Leave a comment

reminders of his faithfulness

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

the familyPsalm 128

Fruitful labor, a loving wife, and a growing family, including the outrageously incredible blessing of grandchildren: I get it now.  I may have intellectually assented to the truth of this psalm when I was younger, but I really get it now.  The LORD snuck up on me and gave me these blessings while I was foolishly pursuing other things.  Now, I have constant reminders of his faithfulness and love to me. He has blessed me from Zion. I see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of my life.

LORD, help us to teach others your fear and your walk, so that they, too, may receive your blessing.

Posted in discipleship, faithfulness, family | Tagged | Leave a comment

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. 

Posted in Isaiah, missions, plan of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in family, praise, rest | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in discernment, idolatry, Isaiah, truth | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in commitment, confidence, perseverance, trust | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in grace, Holy Spirit, Isaiah | Tagged , | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in encouragement, enemies, future, Jesus Christ | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in discernment, Isaiah, will of God | Tagged | Leave a comment

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.

Posted in deliverance, dependence upon God, praise | Tagged | Leave a comment