it’s dark outside, and kind of crisp. i’m cozy in my sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks. this stillness is a gift and won’t last long. i want to open my heart to God now, before it becomes light. i can even see the steam rising from my cup of coffee. i feel surrounded and comforted. the Lord has encouraged me this morning to go ahead and do something about what he says to me. instead of staying paralyzed by the fear that i’ve not really heard from him, you know what i’m going to do? i’m going to act today, to be a servant, to speak his words, to try to obey him. i lay down my life, my ambition, before the King, and i ask for vision and love. resurrection.
“for as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will my word be which goes forth from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, without accomplishing what i desire, and without succeeding {in the matter} for which i sent it.” isaiah 55.10,11. have you ever heard a word from the Lord? are you waiting on Him to speak to you? perhaps you got a word in prayer for someone you love, or felt called to do some act of service?
do it! say it! there is freedom!
our Lord is so gracious, that even when our embellishments of him and our selfish ambition is revealed by our actions, and we repent, he forgives us. when we find that we didn’t hear from him after all, but that instead we have acted on our own imaginations, God still loves us- his corrections come from his love, and will only make us more mature! the Lord is so pleased when we follow him in our actions and our words. he is joyous when we step out to do the things he says. how else will we know his voice unless we try to obey it? the Spirit of God is PROMISED to us to empower us, counsel us, lead us and teach us! (and comfort us!) do not be afraid! do not be afraid! do not be afraid! the word of the Lord never returns to him empty.
“for you will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” isaiah 55.12-13.
Lord, this morning i pray thanksgiving for your word. i pray for my friends. lift us up and lite our lives with your holy fire. Oh, God! Oh, Lord Jesus Christ! have mercy on us. have mercy on us. let us lay down our lives and follow after you, our Servant King. you are so great and beautiful, and your grace and mercy is so great upon us. speak to us, God. shower your words of life upon your people!
