THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE NEEDY

Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3

Recently, during our sermon series, “THANKfull,” Pastor Jeff used Psalm 107 as the text for “A Thankful Life is a Resilient Life.” I began smiling as I listened to the familiar verses, thinking, “Hey, this is ‘my’ psalm!” It has been “mine” since June 8, 1983, when I made my first of many margin notations throughout the years. I was curious to see how Pastor Jeff was going to use these verses to show resiliency. He did it brilliantly by highlighting 4 areas of difficulty and the final outcomes of each:

• ·         Lost travelers – finally reach their destination
• ·         Prisoners – set free at last
• ·         Sick people – healed from near death
• ·         Helpless/overwhelmed – rescued in nick of time

We see that in each of these problems, people were able to bounce back because they chose to be thankful (see vs 8, 15, 21, 31). But I wondered how they were able to get to this point of thanks, what led them to being resilient. I noticed that after every description, there was a recurring refrain that happened after each group was “at their wits end (vs 27).”  “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distresses (see vs 6, 13, 19, 28).”

I realized when reading today’s verses in Isaiah 61, there is a similar structure and theme, only it is more from God’s perspective rather than ours as needy people. That is, He speaks first from what He does for people in their need:

• ·         He brings good news to the afflicted
• ·         He binds up the broken-hearted
• ·         He proclaims liberty to captives
• ·         He gives freedom to prisoners
• ·         He provides comfort to all who mourn

Then, centuries later, Jesus applied these verses to himself when he was speaking in the temple (see Luke 4:16-20), especially verse 1, which says that Christ was anointed by the Lord God and given His Holy Spirit to be and do all these things! Hallelujah – What a Savior! He sticks close to us to give us all we need to navigate through life. So no matter how we are down and out (afflicted, broken-hearted, etc), Jesus is there to bring exactly what we need to stand tall.

In verse 3, we are called “Oaks of Righteousness” by God, standing tall, as “a planting of the Lord – that He may be glorified!”

Lord, I am so thankful that you are always by my side, rescuing me from myself and anything that comes my way. Help me grow into the name you have given me, “Oak of Righteousness” that I may reflect your glory more each day. Amen.

Can I Have Your Attention, Please?

Isaiah 8:11-17

When someone grabs you, they’re trying to get your attention.  They want you to stop and concentrate on them and what they're doing or saying.  The Message translation for today, starts out with “God spoke strongly to me, grabbed me with both hands and warned me not to go along with this people” (v.11).

Have you even felt God’s “strong hands” upon you?  You may not literally feel his hands, but you know he wants you to pay attention.  How many times have we shrugged off that feeling and went on our merry way?

This month we’re focusing on being thankful. Well, I’m so thankful we have a God who doesn’t relent and keeps trying to get our attention, despite our efforts to ignore him.  He’s got some good things to say, if we’re willing to stop and listen.

Isaiah says, “Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples” (v.16).  For me, this points directly to the Bible.  The Bible is a means for “gathering up testimony and persevering the teaching for followers.”  God would love nothing more than to “grab” us each morning and have us listen to His Word.

The conclusion of the reading, verse 17, especially captured my attention, “I will wait for the Lord… I will put my trust in him.”  My pledge for the remainder of this month of thankfulness is to work on listening when God wants my full attention.  Even in the midst of a busy day, I will heed his call and put my trust in Him.

Father, grab me by the shoulders and speak strongly to me, that I may hear your Word and give thanks for your incredible wisdom.  I place my trust in You, knowing you will use me as you see fit.  Amen

God is Faithful - You Can Count on It

Psalm 138

For the next four weeks at UALC, our sermons are going to focus on thankfulness.  Each sermon will feature one of the Psalms. Four weeks in the Psalms - now that's a great place to dig into thankfulness.

I would encourage you to read this psalm out loud. There is something about reading scripture aloud that will help you focus your heart on what God wants for you. Try it!

The psalmist focuses on God's unfailing love and faithfulness (v. 3). And he adds that "when I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. (v. 3). Note that there is action on the psalmist's part:  When I called. Yes, there are times when God calls us, but there are many times when we need to call on Him.

And he is always faithful to answer. It might not be the answer we think we want or deserve. Indeed, we will have trouble - take a look at verse 7 - 'though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save. '

What is the constant in the life of a Christian?  Surely not the absence of trouble, of hardship, or heartache. All of those we will experience in this earthly life.

The constant, unchanging truth is that God's love endures forever.  The  beloved hymn, Great is Thy faithfulness, has endured for more than 100 years because it clearly states truth:

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Yes, Lord, you are faithful, despite my faithlessness. Thank you for your word, and for psalm 138  Help me to plant these words deeply in my heart, and to call on you and know that your love will endure forever.  Amen.