recovery

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0782Isaiah 11-12

Looking far into the future, Isaiah sees a felled forest which is the LORD’s own people.  Judgment has taken place.  But out of the stump of Jesse sprouts a branch.  A new king arises.  He will gather together the LORD’s people, destroying their divisions, and recovering them in righteousness.  The people thank the LORD for turning away his anger and comforting them.  Together they give thanks, pray in his name, and make known his deeds among the peoples.

LORD, thank you for recovering your remnant, and making us a part of your gathered harvest.

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ecosystem

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Jefferson Vann

IMG_0698Psalm 104

The psalmist analyzes how the earth works together like a precision machine to sustain itself – or not.  He assumes that there is an unmoved mover, an uncreated creator.  He sees intelligent design in the ecosystem, and it is cause for praise.  He does not see the analysis of the system to be a reason to reject God.  In fact, his awareness of the remarkable way that God provides for his creation is a reason for a relationship with him.  He calls for sinners (those who have rejected that relationship) to be consumed from the earth, for the wicked to be “no more” (35).  The same LORD who uses death as part of his grand scheme to renew the earth (29) will also use the second death to rid his world of sin.  It is all part of the design.

LORD, open our eyes to see the world as you see it.

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“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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