daily IMPACT by selahV today

CAN I BE THE VOICE?

Lately I've been truly burdened for the integrity of my witness for Jesus.  I've recognized the Spirit's nudging.  I've looked in the mirror and found myself lacking.

None of us know the heart of another.  In most cases we are not even certain of our own motives and intentions.  We act upon those intentions believing we are noble, and without guile.  The very moment we think that way, a door is cracked ajar just enough for the devil to enter in with his bag of trickery and wiles.  Our Lord tells us we pray, and we pray amiss.  How amazing that He knew we'd fail so miserably in our prayer life that He needed to place within us His own Spirit to utter and translate and redirect the needs of our hearts so our Father received but the holiest of petitions.

I am not alone in my struggle.  The apostle Paul battled what he knew to do, yet found himself not doing and what he shouldn't do, he found himself doing.  Yet, at this moment that is little consolation to me.

The Lord woke me at around 2 a.m.---about an hour ago.  I'd been reading quite a bit of blogs yesterday.  All kinds of blogs.  Ones with beautiful irenic scenes pictured with scripture.  Adorable photos of children.  A family gathered at a time of crisis.  Ones with prayer requests.  Ones with testimonies.  Ones with theological debate.  Some with utter nonsense.  I commented on a few.

I also have been reading quite a bit in Isaiah.  I've been praying about what to write today.  Several verses touched my heart but none as piercing as "Comfort, Comfort My people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to the heart of Jerusalem, and cry to her that her time of service and her warfare are ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1,2.

I don't know about anyone else; but I just want to be a comfort to God's people.  We have been pardoned.  Our sins have been forgiven.  The warfare we have in this life is with the realms of darkness.  And our Lord has won the war.  Victory is His.  May we all rest and take comfort in that.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

REPRIEVE ON LIFE

Imagine being given a death sentence.  Not by some doctor who hasn't a clue when the Almighty has appointed you to die.  No.  The Lord Himself says, "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live." Isaiah 38:1c.

What would you do?  Would you set your house in order?  Would you call your family together and tell them about the Lord so you were sure they'd be a part of your eternal life?  Would you pay all your bills and take out a bigger life insurance policy?  Or would you go to bed and pull the covers up over your head?

Hezekiah "turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.  And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in faithfulness and in truth, with a whole heart [absolutely devoted to You], and have done what is good in Your sight.  And Hezekiah wept bitterly."

Odd, don't you think?  Hezekiah gets it on good authority from Isaiah that his life is over.  And instead of accepting that, he prayed to the Lord.  He begged God to remember how he had faithfully walked in His sight.  Then Hezekiah weeps.

I wonder what I would do in his place.  Knowing me, I'd probably say, "Oh well, it's been a good life.  Then I'd gather all my family together and eat all the dessert I ever wanted in my life."  But not Hezekiah.  He didn't want to leave just yet.  So he cried out unto the Lord.  And the Lord sent a message by Isaiah again, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add to your life fifteen years." Isaiah 38:5b

If you knew that you'd been given exactly fifteen years to live, what would you do with it?  Would you put off setting your house in order?  Or would you live each and every day the rest of your life with renewed enthusiasm and greater diligence for the Lord?  What would you do with your reprieve?  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

GREATER THAN FEAR

Have you ever felt something greater than fear?  You can see the image of the horror before you.  You know your adversary.  You know exactly what you face.  And you hesitate.  You argue point for point how irrational it is the feel what you feel in the face of the image.  I've been dealing with that for over a week now. I knew where I was not going to go.  My fear was not in the inability of God to meet me in my moment of need.

It was in myself.  God was reliable.  I was not.  For days I thought about it.  I'd settled it.  I was not going to walk on a pathway that was totally unnecessary for me to follow.  Then a series of situations pushed open a gate.  I heard God's voice behind me. "Fear not, for I am with you."

I knew that.  I really did.  I don't know why God felt He had to remind me.  But He did.  I felt like jelly.  I didn't feel good at all.  I was battling a respiratory bug and an intestinal virus.  My back was giving me a really rough time.  My left leg was numb from the knee to my thigh.  I simply didn't need anything else to deal with at that moment.  But God spoke and I followed.

I asked my friends to pray for me.  Then I left it with the Lord.  Today it is partially over.  Today I can tell you that the verse that I am putting to memory is this:

"Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My right hand of rightness and justice." Isaiah 41:10

I've written about this verse before.  But this is what happened for me today.  God kept me in the midst of His hand.  I was helped and held up.  For some reason God wants to show me this continually.  Over and over and over again.  He wants to show me that he is strengthening me.  That He is holding me.  That He is keeping me.  I am amazed He cares so very much.  I really really am.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

LET IT RAIN

Can you imagine years upon years without rain?  No flowers.  No grass.  No water to drink.  No crops to grow and harvest.  Years upon years without rain to replenish the streams and rivers.  And then...

"Then will He give you rain for the seed with which you sow the soil, and bread grain from the produce of the ground, and it will be rich and plentiful.  In that day your cattle will fee in large pastures." Isaiah 30:22

The word "then" jumps out at me in this verse.  Then----after something has happened.

After the Israelites return to God, "then" He will pour out His blessing.  Oxen and donkeys will eat savory fodder which is winnowed easily.  The Lord will bind up the hurt of His people and heal their wounds. His Name will be praised.  Then they will sing. {vs. 23-28

"You shall have a new song as in the night when a holy feast is kept, and gladness of heart as when one marches in procession with a flute to go to the temple on the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel." Isaiah 30:29

A new song.  Not an old one.  The Lord will so bless His people it will be like the prodigal son come home.  A feast to behold.  His honor and glory will be heard throughout the land.  The song of His mercy, steadfast loving-kindness.  His forgiveness and grace.  He will give it to us.  We need not struggle with lyrics or melodies.  In our heart and soul we'll sing.

May we sing a new song to the Rock of Israel today.  May the world hear it and hear us as we go to the Rock of our salvation.  selahV

HEARING VOICES

"And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left," Isaiah 30:21

Sometimes I've heard that word behind me and I've ignored it.  I've rejected it.  I've argued with it.  Those were times when I was relying upon myself, seeking my own way and rationalizing my behavior.  When I am totally abandoned to Jesus and seeking first the kingdom of God, then I give up my rights to myself and let go of the things on earth in opposition to my Lord.  I hear clearly which way to turn.  I have no doubts.

Today was one of those days.  I was fighting an emotional battle.  I'd been given an opportunity to deal with the situation.  I didn't want to "go there".  I didn't want to walk in the way I heard behind me.  I wanted to walk in the opposite direction.  But I recalled all the devotionals I'd been writing the past few days from Isaiah 30.  I remembered how stubborn the Israelites had been.  They chose to go to Egypt and trust in Pharoah rather than turn to God and rest in Him.  God longed to bestow His grace and mercy upon them.  He was waiting to do so---just as He is waiting to bestow it upon me.

Israel was clinging to carved and molten images covered in silver and gold.  I was clinging to emotions covered in images of yesterday's heartache and pain.  Very little difference---one tangible, the other intangible.  The results were the same---misplaced trust.  Empty efforts.

I turned.  I want to walk in the way the word directs behind my ears.

"...you will cast them away as a filthy blood-stained cloth, and you will say to them, Be gone!" Isaiah 30:21b

Lord God, my Father, I do want to cast them away.  I do want them to be gone.  I rest in You, O Lord.  May I walk "in the way" Your word speaks with Your discerning ears.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]

 

DINING ON ADVERSITY and DRINKING AFFLICTION

What we consider traumatic, catastrophic, turbulent experiences of life, God considers food for our spiritual growth.  What we consider injustice, assault, and thorns in our flesh, God considers water for our thirsty soul.

"And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher." Isaiah 30:20

I must not whine or balk.  I dare not react with dishonor in self-defense tactics against adversaries seeking to do me harm.  I must "rest" in His sufficiency---His sovereign grace.  I must eat the bread He puts before me and praise Him for His goodness.  I must not reject the daily manna of which He bestows upon me, nor should I reject it as tasteless.

When illness, loss, and piercing arrows strike my heart and body, I seek His face.  When desertlands of endless dunes present an image of waterless wasteland without hope, I turn to the Living Water to restore my soul and drink from the deepest well of contentment.  In Him I find my Zion of refuge.  In Him my needs are met.  In banquets of adversity or wine glasses of affliction, my Lord is still God.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]   

WHEN WE DWELL IN ZION

I like living in Oklahoma.  I love the church we attend, the pastor, the leadership, the friendships we enjoy.  I revel in the nearness of my daughter and all my grandchildren.  I love being a part of their lives.

Not everything is perfect.  But it's close.  Many times of grief have visited us---several turbulent occasions.  In those times we've cried out to God and wept.  I'm sure we will face more of those times as life takes us closer to our heavenly abode.  Yet, we have peace.  I have peace.

"O people who dwell in Zion at Jerusalem, you will weep no more.  He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you." Isaiah 30:19.

Zion holds a place of great prominence to the Hebrew nation--it is where God dwells.  Zion, according to Wikipedia, "is a term that most often designates the Land of Israel and its capital, Jerusalem.  The word is found in texts dating back almost three millennia."

Jesus says that if we abide in Him, He will abide in us.  Jesus is our Zion--God, Himself.  In Jesus we are comforted.  In Jesus we are refreshed and our strength is restored.  Through Jesus we own God's grace and are assured of God hearing our cries.  With Jesus we are promised God will answer us.

Such assurance is found in our Zion, our Lord.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

WHEN GOD WAITS

When you think of God's steadfast patience, what comes to mind?  What does God wait upon?

Jesus tells the story of the Father waiting, watching for the prodigal son to return to Him.  He let him take his inheritance and run with it, squander it--do as he so pleased.  All the while, He stood waiting.  The prodigal wasted time, money, and energy. He rebelled against all he'd been taught.  And yet, the Father waited.  On what was He waiting?

"And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!" Isaiah 30:18 Amplified

Can you picture our Father waiting with open arms?  Ready to kill the fatted calf, to throw a banquet of celebration for our return to Him?  The prodigal went away from his father's house in search of happiness beyond what he already had.  He wanted more.

What about us?  What do we seek?

"Are you seeking great things for yourself?  NOt seeking to be a great one, but seeking great things from God for yourself.  God wants you in a closer relationship to Himself than receiving His gifts, He wants you to get to know Him.  When you draw near to God, you cease from asking for things. 'Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.'  Then why ask?  That you may get to know Him."  Oswald Chambers, MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST.

The Lord earnestly waits and wants to bestow His richest blessings upon His children.  Upon us.  Oh that we would seek Him and rest in His goodness, grace and mercy.  Oh that we would turn and abandon ourselves for the best He has.  selahV

THE EASIEST PART OF THE BATTLE

I was on my way to an appointment yesterday.  I was running a bit late.  As I approached a green light, it turned red.  I sat at that red-light without one flutter of anxiety.  I felt no intrusion upon myself or my journey as I waited for it to turn green.  As cars sped by in front of me, I considered the peace I felt.  I recalled a time in my life when I would have considered a red-light as a purposeful affront to my plans.  "Why me?  Why now?"  I remembered when, once, I actually swerved into the adjoining lane, took a right, made a u-turn, joined the traffic and made it through the green light before my red-light changed over.  Impatience.

Oh my.  In days of old, I've had no patience whatsoever.  I've rushed ahead full-steam to make a way.  I didn't like impasses.  This impatience in little things carried over into my life with larger issues.  I tried to make things happen that were better left alone.  Opportunities to stop and take stock of my life were met with constant thoughts of how to get around, over, under, beyond the "stop-lights" of life.  Inevitably I would find myself in greater trouble than where I'd first begun to battle.  Turning back and starting over often forced me to apologize, retract, repent, and stop my fruitless efforts.  Why is it so hard to wait?  Why is it so hard to rest?  Why is it so hard to simply stop and let God?

"For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.  But you would not.  And you said, No!" Isaiah 30:15, 16a.

"In quietness and in trusting, confidence will be your strength."

We cannot see quietness as strength.  We fail to see the power in silence.  We miss the glory of the Lord in our restlessness.  And so we are left to fight our own battles---our way.  We are left to ends by which our means have led us.   The consequences of our choices often disappoint us; we seek refuge and shelter in houses built on sand.

Oh, that we would return to God and rest in Him.  Oh, that we'd say, "Yes, Lord; yes!"  Oh, that we would trust only in Him and heed His words:

"Let be and be still and know (recognize and understand) that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10  selahV

May we find the easiest part of the battle and rest in the promises of God.

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]   

WOE IS ME

I cannot count, nor even remember, how many times I tried to help God.  I'd have a pressing circumstance.  I'd face a threatening adversary.  I'd make my get-away plans.  I'd rationalize the best way to fight the battle.  And all the while, the Lord knew my plight and had His own plan.

God isn't the least bit surprised at the unexpected situation that enters my life.  He isn't moved with frenzy nor does He concern Himself with the perspiration I produce in my attempts to guide His hand.  He is God, after all.  He is Sovereign.  He has it all worked out---including my pressing circumstances and my adversary's actions.

Some of these times stand out clearly in my mind.  I mean these were times when fear gripped my being.  These were times when terror ruled my spirit.  These were times when confusion and doubt reigned supreme.  My faith was far less than a mustard seed.

"Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who take counsel and carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make a league and pour out a drink offering, but not of My Spirit, thus adding sin to sin." Isaiah 30:1

Stuff is gonna happen to we children of the Lord when we make our own plans then come back to God offering Him empty praise for what we expect He is about to do for us.  When we trust in anything or anyone more than the Lord, He is not going to be pleased with our actions.  Our frenzied activity to fight a battle, escape a situation or cull the favor of man does nothing to show the power in God.  It brings no glory to God for us to run around like ants when their protective hill surrounding their domain has been wiped out.

Israel set out to go down to Egypt.  And they didn't ask God.  They sought refuge in the stronghold of Pharoah---"to strengthen themselves in his strength and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!" {vs.2

In what do we seek to strengthen ourselves?  Our financial portfolios?  Our postions?  Our acquaintances--their influence?  Our knowledge in a matter?  Our friendships and their defense of us?  The world and its validation of us?

"Woe to the rebellious children says the Lord..."  "Therefore shall the strength and protection of Pharoah turn to your shame, and the refuge in the shadow of Egypt be to your humiliation and confusion." Isaiah 30:3

May our Father, God, be so foremost in our mind and the benefits of His mercy and love be so embedded  in our hearts, that we do not wander into Egypts and seek out the Pharoahs of strange lands to provide what we are promised through the all-sufficient Lord of Life.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008]