“Now, listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!”
This is what the LORD, the one who made you, says -
the one who formed you in the womb and helps you:
“Donʼt be afraid, my servant Jacob…
For I will pour water on the parched ground
and cause streams to flow on the dry land.
I will pour my spirit on your offspring
and my blessing on your children.
They will sprout up like a tree in the grass,
like poplars beside channels of water.
One will say, ʻI belong to the LORD”…
One will write on his hand, ʻThe LORDʼs”…
This is what the LORD, Israelʼs king, says,
their protector, the LORD who commands armies:
“I am the first and I am the last, there is no God but me.
Who is like me? Let him make his claim!
Let him announce it and explain it to me -
since I established an ancient people -
let them announce future events!
Donʼt panic! Donʼt be afraid!
Did I not tell you beforehand and decree it?
You are my witnesses! Is there any God but me?
There is no other sheltering rock; I know of none…
Remember these things…O Israel, I will not forget you!
I remove the guilt of your rebellious deeds as if they were a cloud,
the guilt of your sins as if they were a cloud.
Come back to me, for I protect you.” (Isaiah 44)
I love Isaiah! He is the Lenten prophet and I love chapter 44! Open your Bible and read it! For it expounds on the completely unmerited nature of God’s salvation. God through Isaiah reminds the people that their sin has removed any obligation He has whatsoever to them. He owes them nothing! They cannot demand anything from God especially that He deliver them. But this does not mean that God will not deliver them, it means that what God does is a free, unearned gift flowing out of His own deep love.
What is the message God wants his people, the Israelites to hear,? Do not fear! v(s.44:2; 8) The world says to the Israelites that God has rejected them. That they are an abandoned widow and their reputation is rotten and they are to be mocked and put to shame. God however speaks to them words of encouragement. He says they are his chosen one, and that “I will pour water on the parched ground and cause streams to flow on the dry land” v.3 And God speaks this same message and words of encouragement over you and I this morning!
The images of water in a dry land are all throughout the book pf Isaiah. It is a metaphor for the pouring out of God’s spirit, his water of life into hearts that are dead from sin and dry from no hope in life. God’s outpouring of his Spirit was ultimately fulfilled on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out into all humanity and made life-giving water available to those dead in sin. Including you and me.
My family, I pray throughout today you will pray and meditate on this::
Remember, the salvation you receive today is a total gift of grace out of God’s amazing love for YOU!
Remember: God’s message to you today is DO NOT FEAR!
Remember: The refreshing water of the Holy Spirit is available to pour into the “dry places” in your life and heart if you simple ask,
As and as we remember these things, let us give thanks and praise to God! In Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. It is God’s desire to bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and reflections on this devotion with us in the comment box below.
Resolve to Help in 2024
I want to ask you to resolve this year in partnering with my wife, myself, and One Direction Community by supporting our ministries! We begin a new season of our ministry of pouring completely into planting and growing simple house churches in our neighborhoods, and having “boots on the ground” serving in our community.. Please pray over this. If you click on the link below you can easily set up a weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly auto donations in the amount you desire. . We would be so grateful for your help. You can also give a one-time donation on the same link. Thank you!
You can mail your donation to One Direction Community P.O. Box 1293 Madison, Al 35758
Discipleship Training.
One of my passions is helping churches or small groups understand and embrace their call to be disciples of Jesus in their community. I offer and lead discipleship trainings in person and on-line. If you are interested I would love to talk to you bout it. Email me at garyl@onedirection.community.
Would you like to receive my morning devotion blog?
Email your name and email address to garyl@onedirection.community and I will add you to my ODC Daily Message distribution list to receive an email of these reflection every weekday morning.
