Isaiah 30-33; Ephesians 1

I love reading the perspective of Old Testament prophets when it comes to understanding God and what He is doing and making it relevant to the day. I pick up today that hope remains as I participate and stay with my community of believers. It is where God wants me to serve and not be tempted to go where I think there may be more…more of anything.

 And he will give rain for the seed with which you sow the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, which will be rich and plenteous. In that day your livestock will graze in large pastures,  and the oxen and the donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned fodder, which has been winnowed with shovel and fork. – Isaiah 30:23-24  ESV

The reason I have hope is because it is God who teaches and disciplines when it comes to judgments.

Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,
    and princes will rule in justice. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
    and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. – Isaiah 32:1,16  ESV

I am still learning that there is security when I am under a just and righteous God. As long as I understand that He is reconstructing me. With that comes some times of mourning for sure. Sorrow is not the ultimate purpose God is looking for in my life, but is only the breaking of ground in my heart to be receptive to the Holy Spirit.

Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high,
    and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
    and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. – Isaiah 32:15  ESV

 

At the same time, I need to understand that the period of mourning is followed by blessing.

Happy are you who sow beside all waters,
    who let the feet of the ox and the donkey range free. – Isaiah 32:20  ESV

This is where I come in with thanksgiving and prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit in my life making all of this happen.

Who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.  For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love[f] toward all the saints. Ephesians 1:14-15  ESV

How else can I love those who follow Jesus? My fruit needs to be real so that others can see that I am authentic and a genuine follower of Jesus myself. Then that love we have together is a powerful witness to the world. So while I strive on my own, it is so much better to be followers of Jesus together.

Thank You for walking with me in this journey!

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

 

 

 

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1 Samuel 13-14, Luke 19:28-48

Saul was 30 years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel 42 years. 1 Samuel 13:1

“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command. 1 Samuel 13:13-14

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38

Two Kings

Saul was 30 when he became king, yet so reluctant to rule, at first he hid behind baggage. He chose 3000 men from Israel. Saul provoked his enemies, literally tooted his own horn to get the glory for his exploits. Later he plotted to kill David when his fame surpassed his own. Eventually his arrogance would lead him to lose his rule to David. God promised David that his reign would never end.

Jesus, a king incognito, was 30 when he began his ministry. He chose 12 apostles. Jesus insisted God be given the glory, when he cast out demons and healed the sick. At the end of his three year ministry, he rode intoJerusalem on a donkey. The crowds declared his praise, but the religious establishment sought the death of this Messiah they refused to acknowledge.  Even a rolled away stone would testify to a risen Savior.

From the lineage of David, Jesus, fulfilled God’s prophecy. Saul’s kingdom did not endure. Christ’s kingdom endures forever.

I’m more like than Saul than Jesus. Consulting God sometimes, doing what feels right the rest of the time. Relying on my own strength for the “small stuff” which I never realize will snowball into big stuff. Eventually losing reign over my own little kingdom.

If King Saul can’t escape Samuel’s reprimand, what makes me think I can get away with entitlement befitting a princess? The Holy Spirit takes me to the woodshed repeatedly. Jesus took all the punishment for my sins on the cross, but I still need to put into action God’s saving work in my life, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. Phil 2:12 NLT

Father, forgive me, for most of the time I know not what I am doing.

yicareggie