Psalms 8:1, 16:2, 31:1-4
My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Isaiah 58-59. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in 59:1:
Isaiah 59:1 ¶ Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Along the still waters I pondered the prophet’s message. Isaiah 58:1 presents God’s call to Isaiah to “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Though the “people” sought Him daily, and delighted to know His ways, they did not work His righteousness; rather they forsook the ordinances God gave to them (Isaiah 58:2). They fasted, but it was self centered, to “afflict their soul,“ to make a show of piety for the praise of men (Isaiah 58:5; see Matthew 6:16). If the people would receive the rebuke of the prophet and amend their ways, “They [would] call , and the LORD shall answer,” they would “cry, and he shall say, Here I am” (Isaiah 58:9).
In Isaiah 59:1-2, the Spirit through the prophet declares God’s hand is not shortened, and His ear is not dull of hearing. But for the sins of the people He withdrew His hand from them, and turned His ear away.
But there is mercy in the reproof: the Lord’s hand is not shortened — He can reach us; His ear is not dull, or heavy —He can hear us. Iniquity is what’s in the way, and that’s why Isaiah was sent to “shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).
In the valley, shadowed by His Cross, I knelt to worship Him Who died for my transgressions, and my sins. I rejoiced that He Who knew no sin, yielded Himself to be made sin for me, that the barrier iniquity placed between me and my LORD may be removed. Now, His hand will reach into my life and through it to manifest His strength and give direction to my life, and my prayers will reach His ears to present to His heart my sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15).
Jesus drew near to me in the valley, and His words were measured, each expressed distinctly and in that tone He used on the road to Emmaus that set fire to the hearts of His hearers: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
When I lifted my cross to follow Him to His table, I noticed it seemed lighter than usual.
At the table, my Shepherd anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy appeared to assist me from my knees to stand before my LORD. He turned to walk into the harvest, I hurried to follow and goodness and mercy took their place watching from behind, goodness offering correction to my course as needed and mercy ministering grace. Looking unto Jesus, we went together forward in His service.
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap;
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