“we can handle this”

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0717Isaiah 9:8-10:34

The prophet rages against arrogance and pride here.  First, he attacks the prideful young men of Israel who insist that the Assyrian invasion is simply a temporary setback.  No, God is judging his own people for their unfaithfulness. They are not going to simply shake this thing off.

Next, the prophet turns to the attacker of his people, who have mistaken good fortune for power.  The Assyrians think that conquering Jerusalem is going to be a walk in he park.  The prophet lets them know that there will be complications.  Behind the ravings of this lunatic prophet is a God who is in control. He is handling this.

LORD, thank you that the tragic circumstances of this life never fluster you.  Help us to stand in confidence and wait for your deliverance.

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blessing the LORD

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0710Psalm 103

This psalm begins and ends with a self-invitation to bless the LORD. 

Why should I bless the LORD?  Here the psalmist lists a few of the benefits of knowing God:

  • his holy name
  • his forgiveness
  • his healing
  • his rescue from death
  • his faithfulness and mercy during life
  • his justice to the oppressed
  • his revelation of his will
  • his remembering that we are dust

Who should bless the LORD?  Those invisible (angels and hosts) and visible (his works = creation).

Where should we bless the LORD?  In all places of his dominion = everywhere.

LORD, we bless you today.  We praise you for who you are, what you have done, and why that matters to us.

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harvest joy!

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

joytoworldIsaiah 9:1-7

The prophet foresaw a time when Galilee will lose its contempt and replace it with glory. They will lose their darkness and replace it with light. They will lose their oppression and gain a peace so strong that they could burn their battle uniforms. They will lose their sorrow and gain a joy like the joy of the harvest — like the joy of dividing the spoil.

LORD, thank you for the One who brought harvest joy to Galilee, and thank you for those Galileans who spread that joy to us.

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a calm and quiet soul

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC11833Psalm 131

  I have a busy day today. There are lots of things that I could be worrying about — lots of things that I could be occupying myself with. But here I stand. I wait on God to feed me. I trust in him. I am like a weaned child before a loving mother. Just being in God’s presence is enough.

LORD, someday you will explain all the mysteries that have puzzled me during my lifetime. Today I wait quietly, confident in you. Someday you will guide me into the greatness you intend for me. Today I wait humbly, content to take my small part in your plan. My eyes are not raised too high. They focus on you.

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let me see

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

014Psalm 102

The psalmist feels his days passing away like smoke.  He is afraid that God is going to let him die in the midst of his life.  Yet, he knows that the LORD will live on eternally, so he has a chance.  He can plead for the LORD to let him live to see better days.  He knows that some day the LORD will arise and take pity on Zion.  His prayer is that the LORD would let him see that rescue.

LORD, we see so much bondage around us.  Let us see your rescue!

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the LORD, who is hiding his face

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

013Isaiah 7-8

In times of spiritual darkness, lost people either dread or trust in political means, or are “drawn into occult gibberish” (ESV study bible).  Isaiah calls on the remnant to stay true to the LORD, even when he seems to be hiding his face.  God had a plan for taking care of those who threaten his people, but the time was not ready for its working out. 

LORD, give us the wisdom to trust you, and stay true in times of darkness.

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commitment to integrity

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

 

SDC12567Psalm 101

David’s ten “I will’s” here reflect a commitment to integrity and foreshadow the ministry of Christ.

  1. He will sing to the LORD (1)

  2. He will ponder the blameless way (2)

  3. He will walk with integrity of heart (2)

  4. He will not set worthless things before his eyes (3)

  5. He will know nothing of evil (4)

  6. He will destroy slanderers (5)

  7. He will not endure the proud (5)

  8. He will favor the faithful (6)

  9. He will be master of the blameless (6)

  10. He will destroy the wicked (8).

LORD, may my friends and I walk in the integrity of heart that befits the Master we serve.

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stumped

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

 

SDC11877Isaiah 6

King Uzziah had lived his final ten years as a leper, with his son Jotham taking his throne instead. In contrast to the earthly king’s shame, Isaiah sees the glory of the heavenly king, who is always on the throne, and he is holy, holy, holy.  Isaiah considered himself unfit for service as a prophet. His lips were unclean.  In a vision, he sees God purify his lips with a coal from the altar.  Now he is ready to speak to God’s people. But God warns him that his words will be ignored.  Isaiah’s question: How long?  God’s answer: until the whole tree (Israel) is cut down, with only the stump remaining. That stump is the holy seed –a remnant that will survive by God’s grace.

LORD, thank you for being faithful even when we are not.

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the time LORD

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

SDC12562Psalm 100

LORD, you were there at the creation of Adam, lovingly creating humanity and calling us to a relationship with yourself. You are GOD.You will be there to the end because your steadfast love endures forever, your faithfulness will outlast our lives to the generations after us. You are GOOD.  It is for those reasons that you deserve joyful, noisy worship, and glad service. You are the time LORD.

Forgive me Lord for even thinking about putting myself first.

Thank you for the joy of entering your heavenly courts within myself this day.

LORD, help my friends who are struggling to stay committed to you — some will have to disappoint family or defy authorities to do so. Give them strength LORD.

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results of rebellion

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

wild grapesIsaiah 5

Israel is portrayed as a vineyard, and the prophet decries the fact that the vineyard produced the wrong crop: wild grapes. They rebelled against the master’s intentions. He “looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!” (7).  The results of this rebellion are identified by the word “therefore” which appears four times:

  1. Therefore the people will go into exile (13)
  2. Therefore Sheol (the place where the dead go) will enlarge its appetite and swallow both the nobility and the masses (14).
  3. Therefore the vineyard will be devoured by fire, rot, and dryness (24).
  4. Therefore sudden disaster will leave corpses in the streets,with no relenting or the LORD’s anger (25).

Rebellion is a serious thing. It has serious consequences.

LORD, may we produce the fruit that you expect of your vineyard. May your people be fair to others,and always committed to you.

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