Meditation

07/12/2021

“This is what the Lord says to me: ‘I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering hear in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.’” (Isaiah 18:4)

Beloved, God reveals Himself in silence also, often choosing not to interrupt evil until it has finished its course. Though able to stop human actions which ignore His will, God is committed enough to the gift of person free will that he will not force individuals or nations to follow Him. Egypt sought to force Judah into an alliance against Assyria. God simply announced Egypt’s fall in the near future. God’s present silence did not mean permanent silence. He was merely waiting for the opportune moment to defeat Egypt.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You will sometimes just remain silent; to wait is to surprise those who have plotted against His will, and He will move into action upon the right time. As in the case with Egypt’s attempt to form an alliance with Judah against Assyria. It is for this reason, that we pray Your will is done, Abba. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“To lift your soul, first bend your knees!”

KNOWING GOD:

“Ten days later the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. So he called together Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers who were with him and all the people form the least to the greatest. He said to them, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, who whom you sent me to present your petition, says: If you stay in this land, I will build you up and not tear you down; I will plant you and not uproot you, for I am grieved over the disaster I have inflicted on you.” (Jeremiah 42:7-11)

The word of God did not come automatically to the prophets. They had to wait until God spoke. Jeremiah waited ten days. The word did come in response to prophetic prayer but in God’s timing. As so often, the word from God placed conditional demands on the hearers. They had to stay in the land rather than flee to Egypt. They had to show their faith in God’s promised presence as greater than the Babylonian army!

I AM:

“Do not prophesy,” their prophets say. Do not prophesy about these things; disgrace will not overtake us. Should it be said, O house of Jacob: ‘Is the Spirit of the Lord angry? Does he do such things? Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?” (Micah 2:6-7)

God’s word is designed to help His people, but too often we prefer the word of the false prophet. God is angry because He cares for His believers and for His people. Whose actions He hopes can be superior to the behavior they have settle for. God sends His prophets so people may live the abundant, right quality of life.

SECOND THOUGHT of the DAY:

“Let us go somewhere else—-to nearby villages—-so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:38-39)

Often when Jesus entered a town or community, he would use healings in order to bring the people towards Him; thus, he would have the entire community to preach and teach to. Proclaiming the good news of salvation was the center of Jesus’ ministry. Healing was a means to bring everyone towards Him to hear His preaching. Jesus attempted to reach as many people as possible. Preaching continues to be a major means of revealing God’s salvation to people who do not know Christ.

In the world we live in today, there are many who are not following their grandparents and parents example to go to church; however, the hunger for the Word and what is means to each one of us is still as strong as ever. There are more “distractions” that take these younger people in different directions, but the promise of salvation is still as strong as it ever has been. Our approach to them, my be more relaxed, but they are listening, and that’s a start. We in the church, must be more vigilant than ever before to recognize these people who are seeking more out of life than what life offers, and we must be ready to talk with them, to engage them wherever they are and help them understand that God loves them too!