Post by Woody Williams on Jan 12, 2006 8:25:11 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Isaiah 41:17-20
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When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them,
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know,
all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Devotional
----------
The chapter from which these verses are taken describe the
restoration of Israel at the time of the exile in Babylon. Many
Israelites lost faith that God loved them. Nature symbols are used to
describe the work of God to bring new life out of a barren situation.
The images are so powerful, says the prophet, that they bear witness
to God's power and love. Place yourself in this passage in one of the
metaphors that describe you when you feel spiritually dead. Notice
how God promises to be there for you and revive your spirit. Is this
your experience?
Prayer
--------------------
O Lord, thank you for the promise of restoration and renewal. Amen
----------
When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them,
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know,
all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Devotional
----------
The chapter from which these verses are taken describe the
restoration of Israel at the time of the exile in Babylon. Many
Israelites lost faith that God loved them. Nature symbols are used to
describe the work of God to bring new life out of a barren situation.
The images are so powerful, says the prophet, that they bear witness
to God's power and love. Place yourself in this passage in one of the
metaphors that describe you when you feel spiritually dead. Notice
how God promises to be there for you and revive your spirit. Is this
your experience?
Prayer
--------------------
O Lord, thank you for the promise of restoration and renewal. Amen