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Precious…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 62:3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.  
One sentence from commentary resonates with me deeply: “We often have only a superficial understanding of how precious we are to God.” This statement feels profoundly true. *I* am precious to God. *You* are precious to God. And yet we continue to miss that fact.
Isaiah 62:5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
Synonyms for precious include: valuable, dear, priceless. The Bible tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and that we are precious in God’s eyes, and honored, and that He loves us (Isaiah 43:4), but how often do we discount our own value and worth—to Him and in general?
Isaiah 62:6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest….
Lord, Thank You that I am precious to You, that You know my name, my story, that You formed my inward parts and knit me together, that You know and care about my pain and my joy. Help me to know my worth to You and in You. Help me to be humble enough to show all Your children their worth to You as well. It’s not a competition. There’s room for all of us in Your kingdom. Draw us closer. Amen.
Isaiah 62:7 …and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
Have a blessed day.
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Behind and before…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 52:12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
When I read Isaiah 52:12, Psalm 139:5 immediately came to mind as it carries that same idea of being surrounded, before and behind, by the Lord. I’m not surprised that there are a number of verses that talk about the Lord or His angels surrounding His people. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).
Psalm 139:5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
The idea that God is always with me, surrounding me—especially in the difficult times—brings me great comfort. He doesn’t promise to make it all better or make it easy. He just promises that I am not facing life’s trials alone. He is with me—behind and before. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is in the fire with me. He makes that promise to all of us.
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.
Lord, So many of us are struggling right now. Thank You for being with us, for hemming us in before and behind. Thank You for allowing us to draw closer to You during the dark, uncertain times. Help us to feel Your peace that passes all understanding and Your presence to know that we are not alone. Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forevermore.
Have a blessed day.
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“God is my rock….” (devo reflection)

Isaiah 47:13 All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you.
Lord, Forgive me when I put my faith, my trust in someone or something besides You. Help me always to listen for and listen to Your still, soft voice, which guides me.
Isaiah 47:14 Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by.
Lord, Forgive me when I act out of pride or arrogance. I do it so often in so many ways. Help me to “breathe in Your grace and breathe out Your grace” and to slow myself down so that I can act in that grace instead of acting from a place of pride or arrogance.
Isaiah 47:15a That is all they are to you—these you have dealt with and labored with since childhood.
Lord, Thank You for being “my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2). Thank You for creating me, for claiming me, for loving me fiercely. Amen.
Isaiah 47:15b All of them go on in their error; there is not one that can save you.
Have a blessed day.
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Stillness…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
The idea of perfect peace is a beautiful one to me. I think, if I can ever conquer this inability to fully and completely trust, to lay any worry or trouble at His feet and leave it to Him instead of picking it up and fretting over it again, if I can get out of my own head and my own way and fully and completely trust Him, always, then I may be able to achieve perfect peace in Him. That will be a beautiful day indeed.
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
I think the roots of this perfect peace are in Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” There is not a lot of stillness in my life. There’s always something to do, to plan, to grade, to clean, to sort. Perhaps my goal this week should simply be to strive for stillness and within that stillness to seek, notice, and know God’s power, strength, sovereignty. I have never shouldered my burdens all alone. He’s always been with me. Be still. Be still. Be still and know.
Isaiah 26:9 My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the trust that I am learning. Help me conquer the pointless worries and fretting that serve absolutely no purpose. Help me to be still and know that You are God. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 26:12 Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.
Have a blessed day.
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Beyond measure…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 17:10a You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress….
These verses in Isaiah are a sharp contrast to Psalm 18:2, which reads, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold,” and to Psalm 62:2, which declares, “Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
Isaiah 17:10b …Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines….
How easy, frighteningly easy, it is in today’s life, to ignore that vital connection with our Savior. It takes intentionality on our part to keep that intimate connection with God strong. But the rewards of that intimate relationship, a Savior who is our rock and fortress, our salvation and stronghold, are beyond measure: security, trust, safety, a port in life’s storm.
Isaiah 17:11a …though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder of the need for a vital, personal relationship with You. Help me to always keep You at my center. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 17:11b …yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.
Have a blessed day.
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Always hope…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 16:4b …The oppressor will come to an end….
Psalm 71:14 comes to mind as I write today’s reflection: “As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” I am no Bible scholar. I’m just an ordinary person, trying to draw closer to my Savior. I get it wrong on a daily basis, but my reflections draw me closer to God, and I’m certain He understands my heart.
Isaiah 16:4c …and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.
This section, to me, speaks of hope: the end of oppression, the coming of a loving, just authority. Again, to me, it seems to counterbalance the rage, wrath, and destruction of other verses. It is light in the darkness, hope, a way forward.
Isaiah 16:5a In love a throne will be established….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for hope and for undeserved second chances. Thank You for Your fierce love and deep compassion for Your people. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 16:5b …in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.
Have a blessed day.
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Jesus is my hope…. (devo reflection)

Ecc 7:14a When times are good, be happy….
Once again the speaker takes a depressing view of the situation (look all the way to the end of verse 14), but I just can’t. Again, I know the speaker’s endgame is to remind the audience that only God’s presence gives life meaning. When I look at these verses, that truth is what I see.
Ecc 7:14b …but when times are bad, consider this….
The end of verse 14, the fact that “Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future,” is supposed to be the real zinger, but that’s where I find the most hope. I can’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future, and I know He can use all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). That’s why, “…I will always have hope….” (Psalm 71:14). Jesus is my hope.
Ecc 7:14c …God has made the one as well as the other. 
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the hope that can only come from You. Infuse my spirit with Your hope so that I can share that hope with the world. Draw me closer. Amen.
Ecc 7:14d …Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Have a blessed day.
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Let everything that has breath praise the Lord…. (Devo reflection)

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Yesterday, as I was scaling a mountain on foot (slight hyperbole), muscles screaming from the strain, sweat dripping from every pore, this verse came to my mind and out of my mouth. As I focused on the end goal of my ambitious walk, I began to praise God for everything that came to mind. 

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

I praised Him for the breeze and the shade, for the flat mixed in with the hills, for the strength, time, and space  to push myself up the hill. As I continued in praise (it was a steep hill!), I praised Him for His presence in my life, His steadfast love and fierce mercy. It was a tough walk but an unexpectedly rich prayer time.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the wherewithal to praise You during tough times. Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. (If that line didn’t instantly bring a song to mind, Google it and thank me later.) Help my default to become praise—of You first and Your blessings second. Draw me closer. Always. Amen.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

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Every single day…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 149:1a Praise the Lord….

There’s something about the mountains and the ocean that help me zero in on God’s goodness, His majesty, His presence. It’s easy to praise Him as I watch the waves thunder to the shore or watch the mist dissipate as the sun touches the mountain tops. His glorious handiwork is everywhere I look.

Psalm 149:1b …Sing to the Lord a new song….

I think I it has to do with the nature of vacations, of resting and renewing, of seeing new things with new eyes. I want to do a better job of seeing Him in my everyday life as well. School is right around the corner. I want to take with me the feeling of peace and contentment, of recognizing God’s presence all around me, every single day.

Psalm 149:4 For the Lord takes delight in his people….

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for Your presence, so easy to see on vacation. Help me to pay closer attention to Your presence in my everyday life. I know You are with me always. Help me to see You, to recognize You. Draw me closer. Amen.

Psalm 149:9 …Praise the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

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Praise Him…. (devo reflection)

Psalm 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you shining stars.

Today’s verse is incredibly nostalgic for me. I painted this verse on our nursery walls as we were preparing for our firstborn. That nursery nurtured both our babies through infancy and toddlerhood. Looking at this verse on the wall reminded me to praise Him for these beautiful blessings, even when said blessings were sick, fussy, discontent, etc. That nursery remains my favorite remodel in the entire house, and I’m thankful for its association with this verse.

Psalm 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you shining stars.

I am reminded strongly of the saying, “I still remember the days I prayed for the things I have now.” This verse, this reminder of the long, frustrating, painful road to parenthood, also reminds me to be thankful and grateful for God’s blessings, even when two of those blessings, now teenagers, are plucking my last nerve. I remember when I wasn’t sure I would hold a baby in my arms, and He allowed me to nurture two precious lives into this world. Thank You, Jesus.

Psalm 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you shining stars.

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You that this verse brings to mind so strongly our road to parenthood. Thank You for the joys and pitfalls of parenting these precious young men and for the reminder to praise You with all creation for the journey that brought us here. Draw us all closer. Amen.

Psalm 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him all you shining stars.

Have a blessed day.