Isaiah 58
Today begins our daily journey together discussing our theme and God's Word as it relates to the Overflowing Love of God in and through our lives. Each Monday we will be looking at how the Indescribable Love of God is to manifested in our families.
Yesterday, Pastor Michael brought a challenging message from Isaiah 58 with the major point being that God accepts worship not when it is "outwardly" correct but when it is "inwardly" pure. I love the last 2 verses in that chapter, And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters to not fail. Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
God says to His family and to each of our families: I will guide you and in the midst of difficult places...I will satisfy you, if only we sought the Lord for our satisfaction instead of people and things around us. "I will be strength to your bones", it is the Lord that provides purpose, power, peace and protection and it is in Him we must place our trust. Verse 12 makes it clear that when our Worship is inwardly pure that rebuilding and restoration can take place. Many homes and marriages are in desperate need of rebuilding and restoration...this verse speaks to the fact indeed that it can happen: that foundations can be raised, that breaches can be repaired, that which was ruined can be rebuilt and the dwelling place can be restored...to God be praised.
However...we find that God gets involved and begins this process, not because we outwardly go through the proper motions, but that our heart is pure and that according to verse 9 that "we remove the yoke (of sin) from our midst, that we stop pointing the finger (blaming others), and we stop speaking evil toward others".
And when that happens, the Light comes forth and returns to our homes, brightly enough for others to see.
We are excited about what God is going to do in our midst in the days ahead...may we prepare taking to heart Isaiah 58 and bringing to God pure Worship....7 days a week in our homes. May you have a blessed day and may each of us be seekers of God's Face, His Heart, His Purpose and His presence.
Blessed,
Marty
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Thanks Marty! I'm reminded of Hebrews chapter 10 where the author, speaking of Jesus, says in verses 8-10, "First he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them' (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, 'Here I am, I have come to do your will.' He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Praise the Lord for His love, compassion, faithfulness, and salvation!
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