Rain

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater.            Isa.55.10

Today it is raining for the first time in quite a while. We have been desperate for rain for several months, and are relieved with today’s fall. Sadly, this is not the case in many other parts of the continent. As an illustration, I quote the Central West of New South Wales where the drought situation has been of serious concern, not just for weeks, but for years. The green of the land is no more, it has been replaced by brown and sometimes black earth. Cattle are dying for lack of water and lack of food from unwatered crops, which are simply not coming to harvest.

I am reminded just how important rain is to survival. It cannot be replaced, and life cannot be sustained without it. And so, the words from Isaiah find fulfilment in present day Australia through the very real conditions that we are experiencing. 

In the New Testament Gospels, Jesus often spoke and taught in parables. These were recognisable stories based on everyday life, but which had a deeper spiritual meaning that was not patently obvious. As Israel and Judah were predominantly agrarian societies, the parables often drew examples from farming life.

Today such examples would not readily be understood as well as they were in the distant times of yore. Yet the present instance of drought and a desperate need for rain connects me with the situation of a bygone age. I am mindful – and prayerful – of the need for both physical and spiritual rain.

Mighty God,

With today’s rain I am remimded of how vital rain is for survival. This applies to the reality of daily living, but it also has a deeper spiritual connection.

I pray You will cause rain, both physical and spiritual to fall, and bring new growth in the country and spiritual impact in society.   Amen.

The Right Way

Let the wicked forsake his way

 and the evil man his thoughts. 

Let him turn to the LORD, 

and he will have mercy on him, 

and to our God, for he will freely pardon.            Isa. 55.7

This verse gives me the simplicity of salvation. In very few words, and most effectively said, the one who is caught up in worldly ways of wickedness and evil (and these do not have to be extreme) need simply turn to God, forsake their sinful ways, and our merciful God will freely give pardon. He will draw the forgiven sinner into sweet relationship with Himself.

I like the simple definition of sin that James gives: Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. (James 4.17) I think we all know when we are doing something we ought not to be doing but, if we are ever unsure, we simply ask God: “Lord, am I doing what You want me to do?”

When the quoted verse mentions “the wicked” and “the evil”, I do not take this to mean the most wicked, or the most evil. I think it applies to anyone who does not do the right thing. This, of course, applies to me. There are times when I do better than at other times. There are times when I know that I am not doing what is pleasing to God, and yet I do it! Will He forgive me? I really think so. When I come to Him in confession and repentance, am I sincere? Again, I think so – even though I might repeat my mistake.

I have no delusion about being perfect. This applies to Jesus alone in the earthly realm. However, I endeavour to be the best I can be for God, and this is because I love Him. I sense His great love for me, and I wish to return my love to Him in joyful celebration.

Most Wonderful God,

I sincerely thank You for the mercy You show, and the forgiveness 

You give. I know that I do not always please You in what I think, say, or do. I ask You to help me to do better, to please and delight You more, for this is my desire. I thank You that I can come to You with this. I thank You for listening.          Amen.

Seek

Seek the LORD while he may be found; 

call on him while he is near.                               Isa. 55.6

Once again I take these words as encouragement. If I seek my Lord I will find Him. I can seek in mere lip service, but I doubt that I will find Him by doing so. I believe I need to seek Him with purpose, to seek Him passionately. In prayer at different times, I have told God that I am in “hot pursuit” of Him. I can’t get enough of my wonderful Saviour and Lord. 

                  

Isaiah tells me that if I seek God, He may be found. There is no definite guarantee here (may be!) However, Jeremiah tells me the way: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.(Jer. 29.13,14a) Here is the guarantee – as I seek God with all my heart, I will find Him. His assurance comes to me through the writings of Jeremiah.

And so, I need to be sincere and committed in my seeking of Him. I cannot give myself to shallowness and superficiality. I must be real.

As I call on Him, I must do so when He is near. What does this mean? How will I know He is near? I believe some part in this must be played out by me. As I commit to prayer, I give myself over to God; I prepare myself to come near to Him; I look for Him in certain expectation. I know I cannot dictate to God, nor can I control Him but, as I give over completely to Him, I feel sure He will respond. When I seek to be near to Him, He might well be near to me. I hope so, and I will give myself to drawing close.

Most Wonderful God,

I want to find You in greater measure than ever before. I yearn for further fellowship, to go deeper and get closer.

I cherish the relationship You have drawn me into, but I want more (selfishly maybe). So, I ask. If You grant this plea, I ask also for situations where I can draw people closer to You.                  Amen.

Free

In righteousness you will be established: 

Tyranny will be far from you; 

you will have nothing to fear. 

Terror will be removed; 

it will not come near you.                                            Isa.54.14

Isaiah speaks of righteousness and that I will be established in it. God is righteousness. I truly believe that I am established in God, but I want more. I would deeply desire to be swamped in God, to almost drown in Him, for I know I would not drown. I would be upheld and totally filled with all that is Him. The prospect is very, very inspiring, and totally inviting.

In God I will be free of tyranny. I might see it, but I will be far from it. It cannot impact or affect me for God is with me. I will have nothing to fear. This is something for me to hold close right now, and to take forward into all time. 

Through His ministry, Jesus consistently encourages me to “Fear not”. I suggest that extreme fear can be compared with terror. Isaiah tells me that terror, like tyranny, will be removed from me; it will not come near me.

Like many other instances in the Scriptures, I see these words as words of promise. God’s Word is full of promises, and I keep finding more. I claim these promises, as I do with every one of God’s promises that I encounter. God is truth, therefore His promises are real. God is faithful and His promises will come to pass. Some may be realised after my lifetime. The timing is God’s alone, as is the way in which the promise will be fulfilled. This brings me to a reflection on trust. God needs me to trust Him – and I do.

Mighty God,

Like you, Your promises are mighty. I claim each and every promise that You have for me. I also give myself to You for the realisation and outworking of your promises. I trust You, and this enables me to relax and not concern myself with the fulfilment of Your promises. Thank you.                Amen.

Provision

“Come, all you who are thirsty,come to the waters, and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”            Isa. 55.1

The invitation stands for all time. The Father invites us to come to the waters and quench our thirst. Am I thirsty? Yes, I am thirsty, always for more of God. God’s provision is at no cost to me. The cost was paid by Jesus when He gave His life. All I must do is to look to Him and give Him my allegiance, allowing Him to lead me in the life that the Father has for me. When I write “All I must do”, this is the truth. When I am in right relationship with God, I need not concern myself with anything else.

Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything else will be given to you.” As I fix my eyes on Jesus, I become totally wrapped in Him. I am transfixed by His presence. Joy overflows within me. I think of nothing else, nor do I need to.

When I put Jesus first, it seems that I am pleasing the Father, for He has proved in my life that I need worry for nothing. He has been faithful to me. I remember His promise to me of many years ago when He told me I would never lack for anything. I have found that He has faithfully provided.

He tells me not to worry. I give myself to do as He says. I am not always successful, but this will not deter me. I will do what I can.

God is my provider, and I gratefully receive all that He has for me.

  

Holy Father,
I give myself to all that You have for me. When times appear difficult, I know that You are with me. I am grateful. Yes, I thank You most profoundly. Please guide me in Your way. Lead me in truth and have Your way in me and with me. Thank You.                Amen.

Martha and Mary

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”            Luke 10.41,42

When Jesus arrived at Bethany, Martha hurried to prepare to receive Him properly. Mary was intent on simply enjoying Jesus. Martha complained to Jesus that she was doing all the work while Mary did nothing. Jesus’ reply was clear: he assured Martha that Mary was doing the right thing by giving her time to Jesus and making Him her full focus.

Martha was primarily concerned with “things” and with making sure that everything was “right” for Jesus. I don’t think Jesus was overly concerned with the state of the house, the surroundings, or even the food that Martha was so diligently preparing.

Mary, meanwhile, was devoting herself to Jesus. This pleased Jesus. He wanted to enjoy Mary, and she gave Him that opportunity while enjoying Him herself.

So it is for us. God created us to live in relationship with Him. He wants to enjoy me and for me to enjoy Him. The Scriptures give me further encouragement in this. Jesus reminds me to seek the kingdom of God before anything else (Matt. 6.33) The writer of the letter to the Hebrews urges me to fix my eyes on Jesus. Many might see this as wasting time, when I could be “doing” for God. God has shown me clearly that “being” comes before doing. I am His son, His boy. He wants me to enjoy Him as He enjoys me. Hallelujah!

Dear Father,

I thank You for this further reminder of our relationship. I am humbled to think that You would wish to enjoy me. I am excited and thrilled that I can enjoy You. There may be things that You want me to do. I believe I can do these best when I have first spent time with You. I know that You are with me, You will equip me and lead me. And all this comes out of first giving myself to You. Thank you.     Amen.  

The Gift

Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.             Isa. 53.10

Jesus lived to do the will of God. In everything He said and did, He sought God’s way. Jesus died to do the will of God. There was a moment of hesitation: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” (Luke 22.42a) Momentarily He sought to avoid the cup of suffering. But the moment passed, and He affirmed His obedience to the Father’s will: “…yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22.42b)

God the Father needed to crush the Son in order to save the world from sin. The crushing brought suffering for He was being made a guilt offering. He gave Himself to this purpose. But the suffering did not last, the sacrifice was a one-off act. Jesus died, but He defeated death, along with sin, the flesh and the devil.

Jesus now lives with the Father in glory, in power, strength and majesty. And, like the Father, He is filled with love.

Isaiah foresees that the Chosen One will see His offspring. Whilst He did not have offspring in the natural, Jesus has countless offspring in the spiritual. He loves each and every one. I have difficulty understanding this with my limited thinking. It is too much for me to take in. However, this is the truth.

Jesus’ days will be prolonged. As the Christ, He will live forever. As He leads His “offspring”, together with the heavenly host, the Father’s will most surely will prosper.

Nothing of human activity deserved the wonderful gift of salvation that Jesus gave. This was an act of love. How blessed we are.

Lord Jesus,

Despite our miserable and sinful state, You gave Yourself in order to save us. On behalf of all humanity I thank You. I come before You in humility and thanksgiving for what You have done for me. I am undeserving, yet You have made me worthy. I thank You.                  Amen.