Tag: ears hear
Isaiah Sees Messiah’s Healing Grace
Scripture reading for October 1: Isaiah 35:4-6 “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with recompense of God. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; . . “
Matthew 11:4-5 “And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have Good News preached to them.”
Isaiah the prophet of God was touched by coals from the altar and given a commission of preaching God’s Word to His people. He was told that they would stop their ears and close their eyes to his message. (Isaiah 6:9-10) If they would only listen, God would save them and heal them. Later in his ministry, today’s prophetic word came forth. The people who were anxious were told to stand up and be strong. “Fear not!” was a key command for their God would come with zeal and vengeance to save them. The signs that would mark His coming would be healing of the blind, restoration of hearing for the deaf, and the lame walking freely and mute tongues singing and shouting for joy. Isaiah likened it to streams breaking out in the desert quenching parched lips and dry bones.
Jesus Christ quoted from Isaiah’s passage when John the Baptist asked from prison if He was the One spoken of. Jesus noted that the blind received sight, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf could hear again, the dead were raised and Good News was preached of God’s coming and mercy to all who would freely come to Him. These were not only physical miracles, but spiritual eyes now could see God’s Salvation and ears could hear the Good News bringing eternal life out of darkness, stubbornness and death. Through the Gospel, these miracles are still happening today. Are you in need of healing?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending the prophetic answer to Isaiah’s prophesy to open my blind eyes and unstop my deaf ears and cleanse my leprous soul. My tongue shall sing for joy forever! Amen!
Job’s Repentance
Scripture reading for August 21: Job 42:1-6 “Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear but now my eye sees You; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Job had requested an audience with God and God had appeared to him and began asking him questions that revealed Job’s total lack of understanding and wisdom. Although Job had maintained his faith, he had made statements that were not right and were presumptive. Through God’s amazing questions, Job began to see his own shortcomings and presumption. Job also saw more clearly the vast wisdom and power of the Lord and how His plans and purposes were established. Nothing could stop God Who knows everything and is all-powerful.
Whenever anyone draws near to God or God reveals His presence and holiness, man’s response should be humility and repentance. As we go through the trials of sickness and demonic attack, it is good to stay humble and teachable. God wants us to come to Him and recognize Him as all-knowing and all-powerful. We should be careful of how we speak, remembering that our words have power and Satan wants to get us into doubt and unbelief. Paul encouraged the Philippians to focus on God–He alone is good and excellent and worthy of praise. We must practice this positive focus after giving all our concerns to God in prayer. He hears and will answer us, sometimes with questions that help us know His power and ability better. Amen!