Month: March 2018

“Instead of your [former] shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor and reproach [your people] shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double [what they had forfeited]; everlasting joy shall be theirs.” Isaiah 61:7 ->me: Shame goes beyond feeling embarrassment; it is reaping shame, disappointment of hope, exposure as fraudulent. So, my former shame is that shame from operating outside the will of God and knowing it. Jesus (the one speaking here) is saying that we will get 2 fold recompense (double portion) for our shame – not only negated – but doubled up mercy, grace, and forgiveness…when I think of this I am so thankful for God’s overwhelming love to do this for me. Additionally, ‘double portion’ was also something to do with being the first born. The first born of the family would get a double portion (what Jacob stole from Esau). God sees those who come to Him as His first and best. My shame is not only reversed but renewed on top of that. What an honor to be so blessed by my heavenly Father – and this is for today; I cannot imagine the feeling I will have when He returns and gives me the rest first hand…an everlasting joy indeed.

“To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 ->me: The part of this verse that sticks out to me is ‘that they may be called oaks of righteousness’…Oaks in Isaiah 1:29 and 57:3 were used in connection with false Gods but here they have been recovered for the Lord and given an established place in His garden. The place in His garden is the place He has planted us for His glory. Oaks are lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God. This picture of what Jesus came to give and also recover for the Father is awesome. Yesterday and today I really struggled to be motivated in prayer, seeking His word, and I just plain felt distant from my King. Missing yesterday’s quiet time did not help but when I ready this verse and passage I am reminded that this is not about me…it is once again about His glory. I have been reclaimed for the purposes and splendor of God. How can I be unmotivated when I ponder that???

“Your people also shall all be [uncompromisingly and consistently] righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. The least one shall become a thousand [a clan], and the small one a strong nation. I, the Lord, will hasten it in its [appointed] time.” Isaiah 60:21-22 ->me: Righteous = right with God, leading to righteousness of character and conduct. When righteousness is perfected tenure becomes secure. Behind righteousness and security lies the careful work of the divine Gardener. God has put us where we are; made us what we are, and done all of this for His own purposes and glory. I like what Habakkuk 2:3 says about the timing of when the Lord acts “For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.” Lord help me wait for your glorious appearing; staying true to my faith, dedicated to the race and course you have set before me, in peace and hope of the glory to come.

“The sun shall no more be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you, but the Lord shall be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory and your beauty. Your sun shall no more go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your mourning shall be ended.” Isaiah 60:21-22 ->me: The Lord will illuminate the beauty of His people, bathe them in His Light and change them into His likeness. When that day comes the only light we will know is the light of the Lord. When my God is my glory and beauty then sorrow and mourning will be no more. A world rolled by man (the earth today) is a world of turmoil, pain, violence, and sorrow. A world ruled by God is perfect and His followers who are already perfected in their spirit now embrace a perfect existence in His physical light and care. I am part way there. A soul sold out to a perfect God, forgiven of sin, has the possibility of living a heavenly internal existence (relationship) in this cursed world (with a mind focused on, trusting in, and dependent on the Almighty God). I can put my hope in the next part where my body and environment are perfected and purged of lawlessness, sin, and temptation.

“Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; and instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron. [Instead of the tyranny of the present] I will appoint peace as your officers and righteousness as your taskmasters.” Isaiah 60:17 ->me: God talks here of everything being transformed upwards…every additional day that I am spending with the Lord feels like this – Love is grander, days are brighter, sleeps are deeper, contentment is stronger, compassion runs deeper, patience is longer, and comfort is more plentiful. I love ‘peace as your officers’…essentially being calmed and not being allowed to become anxious. ‘Righteousness as taskmasters’…God uses this word [taskmasters] in Exodus 3:7 to describe the oppression the Israelites were under in Egypt and why He needed to rescue them. Here He uses the same word again but to represent the very best the Lord would wish upon us in a world ruled by Him. May righteousness be my taskmaster; may I be kept in line by the officer of peace…then will everything I know continue to be transformed upward, including my mindset and hope.

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you [Jerusalem] in that day shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly laid waste.” Isaiah 60:12 ->me: Remember, this is the 1000 year reign after Jesus has returned to the earth and everyone has seen His return. Yet they do not come – Nations in this context is the world outside of the people of God. It is not their alien status which condemns them, but their refusal of Zion’s supremacy. The Lord’s light is there but they will not be drawn. His name is there but they will not come to learn. His compassion is there but they are careless of the threat of His wrath. Their self-chosen fate is to perish. The pride and arrogance of these people is baffling but we have these same people around us today. If the Lord came back this instant there will still be people that will refuse Him. My heart is heavy for these people as I see what the Lord is doing in me and those around me; I am saddened that there will be no hope for them. This actually gives me courage to reach out more; to become brave in my witness and evangelism…either those I witness to will be willing to hear or they won’t. I can walk away praying that the Lord would open their ears and eyes to see Him.

“Who are these who fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? Surely the isles and distant coastlands shall wait for and expect Me; and the ships of Tarshish [shall come] first, to bring your sons from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God, for the Holy One of Israel, because He has beautified and glorified you.” Isaiah 60:8-9 ->me: This passage is talking about those (repentant Jews and believing Gentiles) who will flock to Jerusalem. ‘Wait for and expect Me’ – Consciously or unconsciously, the world’s longings can find fulfillment only in the Holy One of Israel. They don’t come bearing wise insights; they come bearing silver and gold, gifts of submission, homage, and devotion to the name. They come to where the Truth is to be found, to the Lord Whose name encapsulates what He has revealed about Himself. In essence – It is ALL about Him. Today on the way home I was praying that the Lord would help me catch myself before telling a white lie or expanding on the truth…I then started to ask myself why I was asking for that…what makes me lie? I lie to bring better light upon myself…stinking PRIDE is the culprit! Dang it! I have been focusing on the wrong thing in my prayer. This passage reminds me that it is ALL about the One Who gave Himself for me, the One Who wants the best for me, the only One that matters.