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Lavish grace…. (devo reflection)

Jeremiah 25:4 And though the Lord has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention.
This chapter brought to mind Matt 18:21-22, where Peter asks Jesus how many times should he forgive his brother and Jesus replies that it should be an abundant, extravagant number of times. In this scene in Jeremiah, Jeremiah is recounting how God has given them chance after chance to mend their ways, but they continue to follow their own stubborn hearts.
Jeremiah 25:5 They said, “Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever.”
Jeremiah says, essentially, “God has given you all these chances and you’ve ignored them. Now He will bring you to justice.” But why does he tell them this? Why doesn’t God just bring the destruction Jeremiah foretells? It is more of God’s abundant, extravagant grace. It is one more opportunity for the people to repent and return to Him.
Jeremiah 25:6 “Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.”
Lord, I do not deserve the lavish grace You bestow on me. I do not deserve chance after chance, forgiveness after forgiveness, yet I am so incredibly thankful for it. Help me to return to You when I stray. Help me to treat others with Your lavish grace. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jeremiah 25:7 “But you did not listen to me,” declares the Lord, “and you have aroused my anger with what your hands have made, and you have brought harm to yourselves.”
Have a blessed day.
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Thank You, Jesus…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
According to the way I understand verses 1 & 2, Isaiah is saying that God CAN save, but our sin separates us from Him, so He chooses not to. This is something I struggle with, and I feel like this disconnect I sense has to do with God before He sends Jesus His Son to earth and God after that act of ultimate compassion.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
I struggle believing the God of all creation, the God of compassion, would turn His back on one of His who is suffering for any reason. As a parent, I would never turn my back on my hurting children, never leave them to fend for themselves, even when the disobey, even if their actions caused their suffering. That’s not what parents do. “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Matt 7:11).
Isaiah 59:21a “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord….”
Lord, I struggle mightily with things I don’t understand, and suffering is one of those things. One day, when we meet face to face, perhaps it will make sense, but for now I cling to what I know—You are sovereign. You are fiercely loving. You are with us, even in our struggles and suffering, especially then. You are making a way through whatever wilderness we face. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.
Isaiah 59:21b …“My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
Have a blessed day.
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God knows our hearts…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 58:6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”
Isaiah 58:3 has the people saying, basically, “Hey, God, we’re fasting and humbling ourselves over here. Why aren’t You noticing and blessing us?” It brought to mind Matthew 6:1. These people seem to already have their blessing—it’s their pride of having fasted and humbled themselves. Their intentions were to be seen as holy for their actions. It seems the only One who didn’t see their actions as holy was the only One who matters: God.
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
In a recent study of Matthew 6, we discussed the role of intention in seeking and serving God. We talked about the fact that truly only two people know our real intentions—us and God—that it doesn’t matter eternally what others think, that good works can come from selfish motives, that God knows our hearts.
Isaiah 58:8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
Lord, It is so easy to get caught up in this world, to “play the game” so that we appear righteous to the world, even if our cores are rotten. I do not want to play the world’s game, Lord. Help me, always, to have a pure heart and eternal motives. Draw me closer to You, always, no matter what the world thinks. Amen.
Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
Have a blessed day.
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God with us…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 7:14 All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). (NLT)
I was surprised to find that only three translations of Isaiah 7:14 included the words “God with us”. To me, that’s the most important part. The Old Testament God seems an angry, distant, vengeful God. The New Testament God, personified in His Son Jesus, died and rose again. He was here, but He has now taken His rightful place in Heaven at God’s right hand.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). (AB)
Turns out that Matthew 1:23 parallels Isaiah 7:14 exactly, with one crucial distinction—the inclusion of “God with us” in every translation of the verse. And that’s what I need in this life—God with us, present, available, fiercely loving. I need a God who shows up, who shows His presence in the breathtaking beauty of the ordinary, in the porch fellowship with a friend, in the shape of a heart on a rotting gourd. Immanuel. God with us. Always.
Isaiah 7:14 So the Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel [God Is With Us]. (GWT)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for being God with us, close enough to whisper to our hearts, willingly opening the eyes of our hearts to Your presence if we only ask. Thank You for this journey through Your word and for drawing me closer every day. Help me to shine Your light for all. Amen.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (NIV)
Have a blessed day.
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A life of compassion…. (devo reflection)

Job 31:35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.”

This chapter is where Job tips into the land of parable to me. No human can be utterly blameless and without sin. When I look at New Testament verses such as Matt 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment….” and James 4:17 “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is a sin,” then, regardless of where we land right at this moment, we have all sinned in one way or another at one time or another, whether by action or inaction, thought or word or deed.

Job 31:36 “Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown.”

Surprisingly, this doesn’t leave me feeling hopeless. It leaves me feeling compassionate. I am a sinner saved by undeserved grace. How can I, then, in good conscience, refuse to show grace to those in my life who don’t deserve it? The short answer is that I can’t, I shouldn’t. I should extend the same grace on my best day that Jesus extended to me on my worse day. 

Job 31:37 “I would give Him an account of my every step; I would present it to him as to a ruler.)—“

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. I recognize that I may well be comparing apples to oranges when looking at Job’s life and mine, Old Testament and New Testament, but I see a strong lesson here, regardless, a lesson that draws me closer to You and closer to Your people. Thank You. Continue to draw me closer. Help me to live a life of compassion. Amen.

Job 31:40b … The words of Job are ended.

Have a blessed day.

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Making a way…. (devo reflection)

Ezra 5:2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

Ezra 5:5 begins “But the eye of their God was watching over the elders and the Jews….” I suppose that could be viewed as creepy or intrusive, but to me, it is very comforting. It puts me in mind of Psalm 139, especially verses 7-12, which begin, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” And in this Christmas season, it also puts me in mind of a babe born in a manger, “Immanuel (which means God with us”) (Matt 1:23).

Ezra 5:3 At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?”

In the difficult times, when I am giving my all, when my sacrifice is simply showing up and doing my best even though I feel I have nothing left to give, God is with me. He sees my sacrifice. He knows my struggle. When I try to pray for those who bully and hate, instead of responding in kind, God is with me. When I shine His light as a beacon of hope for all who are struggling to take the next right step, God is with me, with all of us. He sees. He knows. He is making a way in the wilderness (Isaiah 43:19). Thank You, Jesus.

Ezra 5:4 They also asked, “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” 

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are with us. Always. When we struggle, when we fear, when we doubt, when we respond to hate with love, when we face impossible odds, when we shine Your light for others, You are there. You see. You know. You are making a way. Thank You. Amen.

Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was watching over the elders and the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.

Have a blessed day.

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Words of comfort…. (devo reflection)

2 Chron 32:7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.”

These words bring me great comfort—“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged…, for there is a greater power with us….” With the turmoil I feel these days, these are words of comfort. God is here. He’s got me. I’ll be ok—even as the storm rages—because He is holding me. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Chron 32:8 “With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 

Immanuel, God with us. (Matt 1:23) The LORD will fight for you; you need only be still (Exodus 14:14). God is here. He’s got me. I’ll be ok—even as the storm rages—because He is holding me. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Chron 32:21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You are here, that You’ve got me, that I WILL be ok because I am Your deeply loved child. Help me to cling to Your promises. Help me be mindful that You are taking care of me on every side. Draw me closer. Amen.

2 Chron 32:22 So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of others. He took care of them on every side.

Have a blessed day.

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God’s still on His throne…. (devo reflection)

1 Chron 27:23 David did not take the number of the men twenty years old or less, because the LORD had promised to make Israel as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Yesterday was Election Day. As I type this, I very intentionally have not sought out results of the national and state elections. It’s not that I don’t think those results aren’t important. I do. It’s just that my boss, the Lord of my life, hasn’t changed. God’s still on His throne, regardless of election results.
1 Chron 27:24a Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish….
And what God expects of me hasn’t changed either. He still calls me to love Him and love others—all others. Period. (Matt 22:36-39). And He calls me “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly” with Him. (Micah 6:8). 
1 Chron 27:24b …God’s wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering….
Lord, Thank You for this day, this scripture, and this reminder of what You call me to do. Help me, every day of the year, to strive to love You, love others, love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with You always, no matter what day, no matter what is going on in this world. Draw me closer. Amen.
1 Chron 27:24c …and the number was not entered in the book of the annals of King David.
Have a blessed day.

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This world is temporary…. (devo reflection)

1 Chron 2:1-2 These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad and Asher.
Each one of the people on this list of names was real. Each one had hopes, dream, and plans. They had good days and bad days. They drew closer to the LORD at times, and they maybe pulled away at other times. There was love and loss. There was jealousy and anger. But all we see is this list of names.
1 Chron 2:3a The sons of Judah: Er, Oman, and Shelah. These three were born to him by a Canaanite woman, the daughter of Shia….
The verse “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:23) came to mind as I was reading this chapter. Did these people live for the LORD? Was their desire to hear Him say this as He welcomed them home? Or did they live for earthly gains, earthly praise, which by now has crumbled to ashes and dust, a distant memory remembered by… no one?
1 Chron 2:3b …Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the LORD’s sight; so the LORD put him to death.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the much needed reminder that this world is temporary, but You are eternal. Thank You for the perspective to see that no matter how important things of this world seem right now, You are the only One who is true, lasting, eternal. Help me to live for You only. Always. Amen.
1 Chron 2:4 Judah’s daughter-in-law Tamar bore Perez and Zerah to Judah. He had five sons in all.
Have a blessed day.

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Making a way…. (devo reflection)

2 Kings 11:1 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family.
Commentary says of Athaliah, “No character in history, sacred or secular, stands out blacker or more hideous than this daughter-in-law of godly Jehoshaphat.” And it looks to all that she wipes out the line of David in her destruction of the royal family. But God used Jehosheba to hide Joash, son of Ahaziah until he is a bit older and can take the throne. For six years, Athaliah rules the land.
2 Kings 11:2a But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered.
I am reminded again in this section about the fact that humans often limit God because we can’t fathom how He might answer prayer. I bet there were lots of prayers sent up during this time about ending Athaliah’s reign and restoring David’s line, both of which seemed impossible to those in the situation. But with God all things are possible (Matt 19:26).
2 Kings 11:2b She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for making a way where there seems to be no way. Help me to always hold on to the hope that can only come from You. Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Kings 11:3 He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.
Have a blessed day.