Lenten Devotion 03.10.2014

March 10 – Monday

Fasting Item(s): Computer (except for school and work) & Video Games (phone and tablet games too).  

Today’s Scripture: Isaiah 54:2-3 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.  Spread out your home, and spare no expense!  For you will soon be bursting at the seams.  Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.”

Question: Are you prepared to go beyond the visible?

Devotion: YES!!!  A Scripture that gives me permission to add to my estate.  I knew there was something in God’s Word that said something about growing what I have.  I even have permission to “spare no expense”; now that’s what I’m talking about!  Are we thinking of the visible or invisible in terms of this Isaiah passage?  Is God really saying that I am to throw caution to the wind when it comes to building for the future?  To answer that question I’m going to say “yes and no”.  I believe what God is saying to the Israelites (and us) is to turn from the things of this world and all that it has to offer us and to turn to the Creator of all things.  The Message Bible translation says it this way; “‘Clear lots of ground for your tents!  Make your tents large.  Spread out!  Think big!  Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep.  You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.  You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities.  Don’t be afraid – you’re not going to be embarrased.  Don’t hold back – you’re not going to come up short.  You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.  For your Maker is your bridegroom, His name, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!  Your Redeemer is the Holy of Israel, known as God of the whole earth.  You were like an abandoned wife, devastated with grief, and God welcomed you back, like a woman married young and then left,’ says your God.”  I believe that there are many of us in the church that could be identified as Apostates – those who turn their back on God.  Let me be very clear here – I am not saying that the readers of thisdevotion are being identified as such, but I am saying that at some level, we have to agree that we have turned our back on God in what we’re willing to risk for His glory.  I believe this Isaiah passage is talking about the hearts of Israel turning back to God because they divorced Him in their hearts and His hand of blessing and favor left them.  Christ is our bridegroom and He is patiently waiting for our hearts to turn back to Him.  Once we’ve given Him our all and our best, it is in that moment when we realize that God has prepared us to be beyond the visible and charter a course with Him into the invisible (faith).  Now that we know and believe this, what do we do?  Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go…”  The command that you have in you is greater than the circumstances that are in your life.  You are no longer defined by your circumstances.  Realization breeds expectation.  You need to shout because your results are about to exceed your predecessors in this area.  This is not a comparison, but you are going to have more.  The same way you look up to others, God is going to have people look up to you.  He is going to use you to bring the lost to Him.  This is done when we realize what we have been saved from and Who to give thanks to for such an eternal and grace-filled gift.  What is your testimony of God’s divine providence in your life?  What is your song about the Lord?  It’s time to shout about His goodness!

Prayer focus: Kids and Parents pray for your friends and children in other countries who may not know Jesus.

 

Here’s the free Lent Calendar to follow along the path God is calling us to.  Take others on the journey with you, but not in a “look at us” sort of way.  This is a humble journey to be endured with the help of God.