Wednesday, August 3, 2022

today's meditation (Is.63) Trusting in the Lord

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Isaiah 63:1-19) 
1   Who is this who comes from Edom,
     With garments of glowing colors from Bozrah,
     This One who is majestic in His apparel,
     Marching in the greatness of His strength?
     “It is I, the One who speaks in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2   Why is Your apparel red,
     And Your garments like one who treads in the wine press?
3   “I have trodden the wine trough alone,
     And from the peoples there was no one with Me.
     I also trod them in My anger 
     And trampled them in My wrath;
     And their lifeblood is sprinkled on My garments,
     And I stained all My clothes.
4   For the day of vengeance was in My heart,
     And My year of redemption has come.
5   I looked, but there was no one to help,
     And I was astonished and there was no one to uphold;
     So My own arm brought salvation to Me,
     And My wrath upheld Me.
6   I trampled down the peoples in My anger 
     And made them drunk with My wrath,
     And I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

7   I will make mention of the mercies of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord,
     According to all that the Lord has granted us,
     And the great goodness toward the house of Israel,
     Which He has granted them according to His compassion 
     And according to the abundance of His mercies.
8   For He said, “Certainly they are My people,
     Sons who will not deal falsely.”
     So He became their Savior.
9   In all their distress He was distressed,
     And the angel of His presence saved them;
     In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them,
     And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled 
     And grieved His Holy Spirit;
     Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy,
     He fought against them.
11 Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses.
     Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock?
     Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them,
12 Who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses,
     Who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name,
13 Who led them through the depths?
     Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble;
14 Like the cattle which go down into the valley,
     The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest.
     So You led Your people,
     To make for Yourself a glorious name.

15 Look down from heaven and see from Your holy and glorious lofty habitation;
     Where are Your zeal and Your mighty deeds?
     The stirrings of Your heart and Your compassion are restrained toward me.
16 For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us 
     And Israel does not recognize us.
     You, Lord, are our Father,
     Our Redeemer from ancient times is Your name.
17 Why, Lord, do You cause us to stray from Your ways 
     And harden our heart from fearing You?
     Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage.
18 Your holy people possessed Your sanctuary for a little while,
     Our adversaries have trampled it down.
19 We have become like those over whom You have never ruled,
     Like those who were not called by Your name.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Israel strayed from the Lord, but as a nation will believe in Him when they see the signs of His second coming (the judgements) during the Tribulation.  God will fulfill His promises to them in His perfect timing.  He will rid the earth of evil and lead Israel and those who become believers during the seven years into the Millennial kingdom.  
Until then, we should ask ourselves: do we want God as our enemy, or do we want Him as our Lord and Savior?  Know that the Lord is holy, hates sin and cannot have a relationship with sinners.  We have all sinned and deserve punishment and death.  But also know that the Lord is mighty to save.  
Jesus paid the price for all sin and conquered death, so that in His unconditional love He will redeem those who seek His salvation.  His mercy is abundant, protecting us from His wrath which we deserve.  And His grace - His goodness and compassion - is great, giving us eternal life and rewards which we do not deserve.  
When the Lord saves us, He then leads us in His Spirit.  When we call, He lifts and carries us.  We can rest in Him, as we trust Him to care for us.  The Lord is more than worthy to be praised!

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