(Chapter 43 title – The Savior of Israel) “From eternity to eternity I am God. No on can snatch anyone out of My hand. No one can undo what I have done.” (Isaiah 43:13, NLT)
(Chapter 44 section title – Restoration for Jerusalem)”Pay attention O Jacob, for you are My servant, O Israel. I, the Lord made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to Me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” (Isaiah 44: 21-22, NLT)
(Chapter 45 title – Cyrus, the Lord’s Chosen One) “For I a the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped your battle though you don’t even know Me, so all the world from east to west will know there is not other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness, I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord am the One who does these things.
Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the Lord, created them.” (Isaiah 45: 5-8, NLT)
Meditation on God’s Word is more just reading the Scriptures. The best definition that I found while searching the Internet came from Our Daily Bread Ministries – ” Biblical meditation is pondering the words of Scripture with a receptive heart, trusting the Holy Spirit to work in you through those words.“* In their September devotion booklet for 9/29/20 “Eyes to See” goes on to say, “Christ’s parables work this way. Those who care enough to ponder them gain “eyes to see” their meaning…. and Paul told Timothy to “reflect” on his words so God would give him insight.” **
“”Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advise of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating it day and night.” (Psalm1:1-2, NLT)
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions.” (Psalm 119:18, NLT)
“Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of Your laws.” (Psalm 119: 97-99 NLT)
“”His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people.”
He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets for the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables.
For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.
This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, “When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you’ll not comprehend, For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes- so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let me health them..
But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.”” (Matthew 13:10- 16)
“Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all of these things. “(2 Timothy 2:7)
*Used with permission from Our Daily Bread Ministries, from “What is Biblical Meditation?”, from their website (author unknown), ourdailybread.org
**Used with permission from Our Daily Bread Ministries, “Eyes to See”, written by Sheridan Voysey, September 2020, ourdailybread.org
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” (vv. 12-12, NLT)
God’s Promises Bring Hope
“”For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was not one greater to swear by, God took an oath in His own name saying: “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants way beyond number.”
Then Abraham waited patiently, and he receive what God has promised.
Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who receive the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things re unchangeable because it is is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain to God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (vv. 13-20, NLT)
“…For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.” (vv. 9-10 NLT)
“”For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.””(v13. NLT)
“Who else has held the oceans in His hand? Who has measured off the heavens with His fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountain on a scale?
Who is able to advise the Spirit of theLord? Who knows enough to give Him advise or teach Him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advise? Does He need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach Him what is right or show Him the path of justice? “(vv . 12-14, NLT)
“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. “(v. 26, NLT)
“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. Non can measure the depths of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and the young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will talk and not faint.” (vv 28-31, NLT)
What blessing has God bestowed upon you recently? I invite anyone to share your feedback comments. Below are some verses of encouragement for those faithful Christians who obey God’s commandments. How do we do that, by loving others, sharing our faith, and using our spiritual gifts as the Lord directs us.
“”Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the Word of God and put it to practice.”” Luke 11:28, NLT
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all His commandments that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord, your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your hearts and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-6, NLT)
“”Bring all your tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord, “I will pour out a blessing so great you have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard then from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then al nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”” (Malachi 4 10-12, NLT)
“I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when He appears to set up His Kingdom: Preach the Word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage you people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to the sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. work well at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (vv. 1-5)
“Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven, He will make Jerusalem His home of justice and righteousness. In that day He will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.” (vv. 5-6,NLT)
“Those who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud, who stay away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder – these are the ones who will dwell on high. The rocks and mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance. Your eyes will see the King in all His splendor, and you will see a land that stretches into the distance.” (vv. 15-17, NLT)
“The Lord will be our Might One. He will be like a wide river of protection that no enemy can cross, that no enemy ship can sail upon. For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our King He will care for us and saves us. (vv 21-22, NLT)
“Do not steal. Do not deceive or cheat one another. Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord. Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay. Do not insult the deaf or cause the blind to stumble. You must fear your God; I am the Lord. Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly. Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people. Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord. Do not nurse hatred in your heart for anyone of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbors as yourself. I am the Lord.” (vv. 11-18, NLT)
In every season, God’s Glory is seen in nature. “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”(Luke 12:27)
Whenever I walk my dogs in through the paths of our property, I usually have my phone in my back pocket. I never know when I might want to take picture of the scenery which may be a pictures of our creek that flows on one boundary, trees, or flowers. The flora changes with each season. Amazingly, the simple weeds, display some of the prettiest blooms. Below are some of the autumn blooms along my walking path (and some mushrooms, too).
