Isaiah_18

Scripture

Isaiah 18:4

This is what the Lord says to me:

“I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place,

like shimmering heat in the sunshine,

like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”

Observation - What does it say?

All over the earth people have enemies, people who threaten to harm them, groups of people who instill fear. In the midst of it all, God declares that He is watching quietly from where He dwells. The following verse says that before the harvest begins, at just the right time, God will act.

Understanding - What does it mean?

At times God watches “behind the scenes” quietly. He is in control, calm and at peace. Because, when the time is right, He knows where and how to act. Although nations rise and fall, God is constant. He is always good, always faithful, always working everything for the good of those who love him.

Often I find myself desiring God to act in certain situations. In my foolishness, I can think I know better than God and I know what God needs to do or should have done. But the truth is that He, in His infinite wisdom and love, knows exactly what to do. He is never indifferent. He is never turning His back on those who are hurting. Rather, He is completely aware, looking on at everything happening, and is working everything for the good of those who love him.

Life Application

Trust that God knows what He is doing.

God, even when I see tragedy in the world, rather than doubting You, I choose to trust that You see things I don’t see, that Your ways are higher than mine, that Your wisdom is greater than mine, and that Your love is infinitely deeper than mine. Amen.

-Levi Thompson

2 Corinthians_4

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

Observation:

Our light affliction: Why is our affliction light and not heavy? Because even the worst of it, by the measure of eternity, is but for a moment. This is partially true in the sense that most of our troubles come and go, and “this too shall pass.” It is also true in the sense that even a long life by this world’s standard is nothing on the scale of eternity. Even if one were to live for a hundred years and suffer every day, by the measure of eternity it is but for a moment. [https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-corinthians-4/]

Understanding:

Some may say the world – financially, physically, the job market, etc. – is “wasting away.” However, even in these times, we are told “do not lose heart.”  Our troubles are considered “light and momentary.”  Light because we’ve got a God with strong, broad shoulders that will carry the weight.  Momentary when compared with eternity.  So…

Life Application:

Do not lose heart! <3 Turn and fix your eyes upon what is unseen, what is eternal.  Keep things in perspective, which may be hard to do at times (especially when media headlines are what they are and coming at you from all directions!)...so stay grounded, stay connected to the family, to the word, to God and Do. Not. Lose. Heart.  When you’re up, share your light and love with the world that needs it.  When you’re down, get connected. Go love on somebody today – with clean hands and from at least 6 feet away! ;)Rei

2 Corinthians_3

Scripture:  2 Corinthians 3:17-18  17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Observation:  In 1 Corinthians, Paul was dealing with a division among the members of the Corinthian church.  There were members at odds with each other over which teaching of the gospel was correct. In this second letter, the division seems to have gone from bad to worse for a period of time.  In chapter three, Paul writes in defense of the new covenant. He compares the old covenant and the new, the covenant of Moses with the covenant of Christ, striking an imagery of things written on stone (covenant of Moses, and the ten commandments) and things written on the heart (covenant of Christ).  We see a contrast of promises that are dead, to promises that are alive. Paul proclaims that we have freedom and life in the covenant of Christ, who freed us from the bondage of the law.   Understanding:  One of my favorite rides at the magic kingdom is Pirates of the Carribean.  While it’s all in jest, at the beginning of the ride you are warned of what is to come and advised to abandon hope.  "Psst! Avast there! It be too late to alter course, mateys...and there be plundering pirates lurking in every cove, waitin' to board. Sit closer together, and keep your ruddy hands inboard. That be the best way to repel boarders. And mark well me words, mateys...dead men tell no tales!"  Compare this with another boat ride. At the turn of the century (twentieth century that is), as boat loads of people were making their way to New York seeking a new life. One of the first things they see is the shimmering (at the time) Statue of Liberty. A promise of hope for change and freedom. In Christ we get the same opportunity.  We take a boat ride down the way of the world, we see no other warning sign except to abandon hope, especially when times get tough.  But, when we accept the gift of the gospel, we are offered freedom. Freedom from chaos, and worry, anxiety, fear. We know, from the many witnesses that have come before us, that there is hope unending in Christ.  Scripture tells us, don’t be anxious (Philippians 4:6), we have hope unlike the world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14), God will take our worries (1 Peter 5:6-11). God is the beginning of all things and the end of all things, only in Him is there hope.  So abandon all fear, all ye who enter here.
Life Application:  Jesus, even though there is temptation, let me not lose sight of your goodness and grace.  Have your love flow through me in this time of need. Help me to be generous in the face of chaos.  Most of all, thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 

-Tyler Galloway