Tag: sing for joy
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!
Equity for all through Father and Son
Scripture reading for October 31st: John 12, Psalm 67, Proverbs 31
John 12: 44-50 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment–what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me.””
Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to His lost children, Jew and Gentile. All mankind lived in darkness and because of sin they could not see the glory of God their Father in heaven. Jesus came down specifically to bring light to that darkness. He was the ‘Light of the World’ and here declares that anyone who believes in Him, also believes in the Father Who sent Him. He proclaimed only the Words of His Father in Heaven, that man might know their Father’s love and desire for their salvation and restoration. Jesus was not on earth as a judge, but as Light. His Words were eternal life to those who would believe, but would also judge those who refused to come to the Light and see. Real ‘equity’ is offered by our Father to all nations, tongues, and tribes through His Son and His Bride, the Church who shares this Good News! All people are under the same offer of mercy and will be judged for failure to respond.
Psalm 67:4-5 “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. (Selah) Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You want all nations to know You through Your Son Jesus Christ. I gladly repent and receive this Good News. You are wise, kind, merciful, and loving as revealed by Jesus Christ. Through Your Spirit, cloth me with strength and dignity and use me to share Your Wisdom and kindness to all nations that they might worship You. Let all receive and none be judged by Your Word.
Proverbs 31:25-26 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Faith’s pursuit!
Scripture reading for January 6th: Mark 5, Psalm 5, Proverbs 5
Mark 5: 25-30 “And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If I touch even His garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power had gone out from Him, immediately turned in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”
Mark recounted this story of a woman that had pressed in to touch Jesus’ garments. She had had a flow of blood for twelve years. She had spent all she had on doctoring, but was only worse. She was considered unclean because of her illness. She heard about Jesus and decided to pursue Him. Her faith was rewarded and she had the joy of healing, restoration, and immediate results! What a blessing and joy faith produces! God smiles and Jesus allows His power to flow out in response to faith!
Psalm 5:11-12 “But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You cover him with favor as with a shield.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving Your church this story of faith’s pursuit. Help me to always pursue You with a pure heart for the needs that I have, realizing that in You is everything I need in life. As You met this woman’s need immediately, allow Your power through the Holy Spirit to flow through me and Your people to bring grace to those You are drawing to follow You. Praise the Lord! Amen!
Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He ponders all his paths.”