Connecting Points

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Today’s Topic:  Living What We Learn

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 50:6-7  I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.  Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

My toes hurt! It’s not the fault of my shoes: it’s much more serious. The pain I feel in my feet is the result of a much larger foot stomping on mine. The owner of that foot had to get my attention because I was walking in the wrong direction. Once I get over the initial pain I will realize He did it because He loves me and is working to develop my character. But it still hurts!

Last Friday God blessed my heart with the words of a song from Isaiah 50:4, and assured me that He loved our morning time together. https://lifelinkdevo.wordpress.com/2011/08/12/every-morning/

On Monday the Lord showed me how He has opened my ears to listen and be taught, and that I should not rebel against what He says. https://lifelinkdevo.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/no-turning-back/

I was feeling pretty proud of myself as I woke up yesterday to spend a relaxing day off. Then it happened. Mid-way through the day God’s foot came down hard on mine. I was confronted with the selfishness that still exists in my heart. It has been a painful journey that has lasted for eighteen hours now. The latest foot-stomping came when I really read and digested the meaning of today’s Scripture verses.

What good is what you know if you don’t make it a permanent part of your life? Stomp number one.

What good is an open ear if it isn’t connected to an open heart? Stomp number two.

What good is what you say you have learned if it doesn’t change how you behave? Please stop stomping!

The prophet Isaiah is praising God for what the Lord is doing in his life. God has opened his ears so he can learn. He has taught Isaiah the words that will sustain others in their times of trouble. God has taught him how to teach others the truths that will change their lives. Then Isaiah says this, if you will allow me the freedom to put into my own words what verses six and seven say:

“Now that I know who God is and understand what is in His heart for the people of the world, it has transformed my heart so that my actions are completely in accord with God’s heart. When someone tries to physically abuse me because of my love for God, I will gladly offer them my back for the beating, assured that my actions are the message that God wants them to hear so their hearts can be broken by His love. When someone insults me, represented by the pulling out of the beard, I will not defend myself or argue for my rights. When someone brings shame on me by putting me down in public and destroys whatever reputation I think I have by literally or figuratively spitting in my face, I will not hide from them or cover my face from their attacks. When I respond like Christ in these situations, I know that the message I send to them will be the testimony of God’s grace that they need to see. I know these people who are hurting me are in trouble themselves and need to hear a word that will sustain them. My actions are the words God wants me to speak. My confidence is in Christ alone, and in Him I will never be put to shame. Therefore I am determined to show them God’s love.”

Now you know why my toes hurt. Now you know where my heart is being worked on. Now you know how to help me. May I help you in the same way?

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Monday, August 15, 2011

Today’s Topic:  No Turning Back

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 50:5  The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

This morning I woke up a little later than usual. By the time I got out to the living room and sat down to listen to the Lord and start my day it was already light out and the sun was peaking over the horizon. I opened up my wife’s laptop and the main page came up – Facebook.  There, as the first entry on the page, was a post from a good friend in the church. It was his contribution to my spiritual walk. He posted his Bible verses for the day. My ears were open and ready.

After refreshing myself with the wisdom of Proverbs 3, especially verses five and six, I turned over to First Corinthians 2:11-13.  In case you don’t take the time to follow the link and read them, here they are in the New Living Translation:

No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. ¹²And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world’s spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. ¹³When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.

The Lord opened my ears. Just think of the truth in those verses. Our human rational thought process is incapable of knowing God and His plans for us. But He has given us His Spirit so we can know Him and know what He desires for us. We can know what God thinks of us. That’s simply amazing.

Then, as if that’s not enough, His Spirit also qualifies us to teach the spiritual truths to others.

Last week a friend posted this on Facebook – God does not call the qualified, but rather He qualifies the called. My ears were open to that as well. I wonder how many of us are not doing what God has planned for us because we don’t think we are qualified? How many people are eliminated from our prospect lists because we don’t think they are qualified? How many more servants of Jesus would become strong leaders for Jesus if we realized that He has called them and that we are the ones to help qualify them?

We are all called to be teachers of spiritual truth. But if we are going to do that, our key verse today from Isaiah must be understood. In that verse God says there are two ways that we become unqualified for helping others with the spiritual truths God has given us:

1. We rebel against God. The word here means open, contentious disobedience. Some people are like that. They try to follow God, but when things don’t go according to their own desires and plans, they openly reject God and rebel against Him. Attitudes and actions like that keep us from teaching spiritual truths to others because we have become unteachable by the Holy Spirit.
2. We draw back from God. This is where I think many of us struggle, and our biggest struggle is with the denial that it’s even happening. The Hebrew word used here means to move away, turn back, and backslide. Every time we step off the path of God and onto a path of our own making we are guilty of drawing back from God (Psalm 44:18). Every time we ignore what God has taught us and don’t apply it to our lives, we have drawn back from God. And even though we think it’s not really that serious, it is to God, and the punishment for drawing back is the same as for worshipping false gods. To be sure, read Zephaniah 1:4-6.

God has graciously saved us. He has filled us with His Spirit who teaches us all the spiritual truths we need for an abundant life of service to His Son. But we have drawn back into a comfort zone of culturally-defined Christianity. It is time for us to ask the Lord to once again open our ears, and to pledge to Him that we will not rebel, and that we will not draw back.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Friday, August 12, 2011

Today’s Topic:  Every Morning

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 50:4  The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

No sooner had I read this verse this morning that a song started flowing through my brain. It will be with me all day. I can only pray it is with me every day.

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus.
You can have all this world,
Just give me Jesus.

So to be briefer than I have probably ever been, think about this:

• When you woke up this morning, did you wake up your spiritual ears to listen to the Lord, and what has He taught you?

• How will you use what He has taught you to instruct others and give them the word that will sustain them through their day?

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Today’s Topic:  Sorry I Missed You

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 50:2  When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?

Yesterday I had an appointment out in the country south of Fall Creek. On the way I would pass the farm of an elderly gentleman that I have yet to meet, but who might be willing to let me bow hunt for deer on his property – at least that’s what another new acquaintance of mine told me. So I stopped in to his house. He wasn’t home. On my way home from my appointment I dropped by again, and he still wasn’t home. I was disappointed. In one month the season opens, and it sure would be nice to have some land to hunt that was closer to my home. I’m really sorry I didn’t get to meet the landowner.

Most of the time I carry business cards in my pocket for just such occasions, but yesterday I didn’t have any on me. Usually I take one out and write these words on the back – “Sorry I missed you.”  Then I give a quick explanation of what I wanted and ask them to call me. Most people appreciate the effort and respond.

As we continue our study of the biblical book of Isaiah in the Old Testament, we come to chapter fifty where God is having the same kind of a day with the nation of Israel. He came to visit them and they weren’t home. He called them and there was no answer. Then the Lord gives them the reason for His visit – He was there to rescue them from the trouble they were in. Unfortunately they weren’t available.

As God gives the people the reasons for His visit He also reveals the reason for the trouble they were in – they didn’t think God really cared or that God could really do anything about it. God says, “Why are you avoiding me? Is it because you think my arm is too short to ransom you or that I lack the strength to rescue you?” In other words, do you really think God doesn’t care or that He lacks the ability and resources to help you?

I wonder how many times I have missed a visit from God in my life because I was off trying to fix things in my own wisdom and strength. As I reflect on my natural tendencies I know that I tend to jump rather quickly into fix-it mode. Then, when my strength and resources are exhausted, I turn to God for help. How sad!

How great is the denial in which we live when we think that what we are doing is just our natural tendency, almost as if we are trying to justify our behavior. Oh how we need to fall on our knees before the Father and admit that we just don’t trust Him or think He really cares. We prefer our own control rather than surrender to His control. As a result we wander off to do things our way, and we miss His visit.

But God is so gracious. He reaches into His bottomless pocket and pulls out His business card and a pen. Then, with ink that strangely resembles blood He writes these words – “Sorry I missed you” – and places it in the door of our heart where we are sure to see it whenever we choose to open it again.

Quick, go check the door. Maybe God’s been at your place recently. He’s still available.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Today’s Topic:  God’s Forgiveness

Today’s Text:  Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 

It was their first night. They enthusiastically joined sixty-five other children between the ages of four and fifth grade at the County Fair.  Not a real fair, but real enough to all of them – complete with farmers and fruit and animal noises. There was singing and games and crafts and of course stories, as the children were taught how to harvest the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. I am referring to the Son Harvest County Fair at our church for our Vacation Bible School.

Last night the class of first-graders that my wife and I are teaching was a little smaller. On Monday we had fifteen of them. Last night we had twelve, and two of them were there for the first time. Both of them listened intently as Mrs. Van told them the stories of the lost coin and the lost sheep. They could relate to losing things. They knew how to rejoice when Mrs. Van found the candy and the coin she had lost.

When she was done it was my turn to talk to the class. I asked them if they had ever been lost. Several said they had, but that someone had come looking for them. It was perfectly planned by the Holy Spirit. I told them how they were lost from God, and that God loved them so much that He sent someone to look for them. They knew His name – Jesus. They listened intently. God was at work in their hearts.

Then came the time to ask them if there were any of them that would like to come with me to another room and talk some more about what Jesus did to find them. Several said yes. Both first-timers were in the group that followed me and two assistants to a rare location in our church – an empty room. We sat with legs crossed on the floor. I needed help to get up when we were done. I didn’t care how much it hurt because there were children hungry to hear how to be found by Jesus.

When the time came I asked each of them personally whether they were sinners. Each one said yes. I asked each one individually if they had ever asked Jesus to forgive them for their sin. Two of them said they had. I rejoiced with them for a moment and explained that they were permanently the children of God. They smiled. I was bursting inside. There were three that said they had never talked to God about forgiveness. One by one I asked each of them if they wanted Jesus to find them tonight and be forgiven for their sin. They all said yes!  Two of them were the two first-timers.

Hallelujah!  Can you hear the angels?

We prayed, and they repeated the prayer. One little girl really impacted my heart, because she prayed with such enthusiasm and meaning. It was the new girl to the class. It was possibly her first time ever exposed to the gospel, and she responded to God’s incredible offer of forgiveness.

I hope I never ever ever get bored or tired with the presentation of forgiveness that is available through Jesus Christ! I pray that more often than not I get to be a part of the heavenly rejoicing that takes place when one sinner repents and receives God’s forgiveness in Christ the Lord. I hope there is no amount of discomfort or inconvenience that would ever keep me from doing what Jesus did – seeking the lost so that they might be saved.

I sure hope the same is true of you.

I pray that you know the forgiveness of God. If not, I want you to know Jesus is looking for you, and He has set up a connecting point to meet you. Just go to cross. He’s waiting there to show you His love.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Monday, August 08, 2011

Today’s Topic:  Whirlwinds

Today’s Text:  Mark 4:39 (NKJV) Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  

Have you ever seen a whirlwind? I have not only seen them, but been in one – literally. But that’s nothing compared to a tornado, which I have also been in. I tell you that to say that my life feels like that right now. It’s been over two weeks since I’ve been able to sit down at my computer in my office and spend time with the Lord as He fills my heart with some Connecting Point to share with you. That is sufficient reason enough for my life to be spinning.

It seems lately like I’m one of the disciples in the boat where Jesus was sleeping in the front during a storm. Remember the story in Mark chapter 4?

³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”   ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.   ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.   ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

  ³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

  ⁴⁰He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

  ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

The Greek word translated “furious squall” in this passage is defined in one of my Greek dictionaries this way –

1) a whirlwind, a tempestuous wind

2) a violent attack of wind, a squall

2a) never a single gust nor a steady blowing wind, however violent, but a storm breaking forth from black thunder clouds in furious gusts, with floods of rain, and throwing everything topsy-turvy

Topsy-turvy. That’s how it feels. A sudden blast that throws everything into a tailspin. Life gets that way far too often, and when it does, we tend to get wrapped up in the deafening noise of the storm to the point that we can no longer hear the still small voice of the Lord. The fear of the storm overwhelms our faith in the presence of God.

Another Greek word that is also translated as “whirlwind” in the New testament is used only one time – in Hebrews 12:18. The context of its usage is significant for me today, because even in the ferocity of life’s storms right now, it has been so refreshing to be able to still hear the voice of my Savior. This passage has helped me understand that. Let it also minister to your heart today and carry you through whatever storm you are in.

You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai when God gave them his laws.   ¹⁹For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice with a message so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking.   ²⁰They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”    ²¹Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 

  ²²No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to thousands of angels in joyful assembly.   ²³You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge of all people. And you have come to the spirits of the redeemed in heaven who have now been made perfect.   ²⁴You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which graciously forgives instead of crying out for vengeance as the blood of Abel did.

There is no real storm in the presence of Jesus.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Friday, July 22, 2011

Today’s Topic:  Here It Comes

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 49:8-9a   This is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,  to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

Years ago I learned something about myself, and since then I have noticed it in others as well. We all have verbal crutches. I discovered it when I got my first job in radio as an announcer. My boss would record us while we were on the air, and then call us into his office to listen to the tape. It was revealing. Three out of every four sentences I spoke while the microphone was live started with the word “Hey.” Weird, huh? Coming out of a song I would say, “Hey, that was…” and then name the song and artist. Or I would begin a news segment with, “Hey, let’s look at the news.”  Almost every sentence started with that word. It was my crutch, or as I now call it, my clutch. You see, it was what had to be released to get the brain engaged so the mouth could move.

Some people, in fact a lot of people, use simple clutches, the most popular being “Umm…” Just listen to people and you will start to hear it used all the time. Even public speakers do it. For some reason the foot is always on the clutch and they keep pushing it in just a little and it “umm’s”.  Why is it that we have to be making some kind of noise while we think about what’s next to say?

Well, after I got the “Hey” clutch resolved, I developed another one. This one became famous in that part of the world where I worked. I became the weather guy at the radio station and was responsible for reading the radar system we had installed. I also worked closely with Civil Defense in determining the need for the sirens to be sounded. I actually had a remote desk and broadcast equipment in their offices in the basement of the courthouse.

When storms would be coming, and their path had been carefully predicted, I began saying the phrase “Here it comes.”  It was fine at first, because it started in the summer, and the path of those storms is more easily predicted. However, when winter came, and I made my first big prediction of a blizzard and said “Here it comes,” it never came. Schools had been cancelled; businesses were shut down, and then nothing. The storm totally went around us. How embarrassing. That’s when I was told by my boss that I had been using the phrase “Here it comes” too frequently. I had developed another crutch.

God never says “Here it comes” as a crutch. When He says it, it will happen. The rest of the forty-ninth chapter of Isaiah is God’s “Here it comes” for the nation of Israel. It declares the beginnings of the plan of God for the redemption of His people. That plan will be revealed for the rest of the book.  At a time of God’s choosing, when all is favorable for the revelation of His glory, He will answer our prayers and help us.

I tend to help myself too much. I tend to evaluate whether or not this is the time of God’s favor. Unfortunately it usually turns out to be the time of my favor. But God has a time of favor. He knows our every need. He knows how to meet that need and do it within the context of His purpose. He has said “Here it comes”. We tend to put too much emphasis on the word “Here”, believing that means right now. But God will not fail to bring what He has promised. His redemption is coming, and reading the rest of this chapter was a good reminder of that. It also filled me with great joy to see the glory of God revealed. Take some time to read it for yourself. (Isaiah 49:8-26)

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Today’s Topic:  No Call Too Small

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 49:6   And now the Lord says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Before I go into a thought the Lord has given me for today from this verse, I must let those of you who are true students of the Bible know that I understand the context of the first seven verses of Isaiah 49.  Jesus the Messiah is being foreseen, and He is the one spoken of. That makes the impact of my application even more powerful.

Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, who is fully and eternally God, was called by the Father to accomplish His will – to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel that had been kept by God. In addition, the Messiah would be a light for the Gentiles – you and me – and bring salvation to the ends of the earth. But before He clarifies the call God confirms the commitment. Was Jesus, the Son of God, in all of His eternal glory, willing to humble Himself and become a man, taking on the form of a servant, if that’s what it took to accomplish God’s glory? Or would He consider that calling too small a thing for someone so qualified?

It’s been almost two years now that the Elders of our church have been searching for someone to fill a staff need at our church. We have been putting money into an escrow account to pay for this position. Over the last several months our search has intensified. But at this point of our church’s growth we can only afford a half-time position. What a challenge! We have been discouraged by the unwillingness of people to serve the Lord in bi-vocational ministry.

We have created a culture in our modern church era that places ministry on the same level as professional employment. Granted, the Bible teaches that the workman is worthy of his hire, but the same Apostle who wrote that first taught by example how to be bi-vocational to ease the burden on the local church so ministry to people could flourish. Time and time again while making contact with potential applicants the same response was given – “I have my degree, I’m a professional, and I have certain pay requirements, and I can’t do part-time.”  In some cases the hearts of the applicant were right based on the needs of their family, and I respect that. But there were far too many people that made it clear that our position was too small a thing for them.

I believe that we are in denial about how serious this issue is in our own lives. I don’t think we really want to take the time to reflect on how much the materialistic society in which we live has impacted our willingness to serve Jesus sacrificially. I truly believe that there are things God has called us to do that we have determined are beneath us and don’t meet our needs. We are blinded by the immediate and therefore miss the glory that could be seen. We have climbed to the mountain top of our pride and forgotten that the only view of God’s glory is from the lowest place.

On Monday I met a man who understands this. He knows that there is no call too small. He knows there is no need to put conditions on God’s call. Obedience to God’s call will always be accompanied by God’s provision to accomplish it. We tend to put the provision ahead of the call, and that is not how God works. There’s a reason for that…because that puts us in a position to receive glory to ourselves. If we focus on the provisions as a condition, then when the task is complete we will believe we had some part in making it happen. God has stated clearly that He will not share His glory. (Isaiah 48:11) If we are seeking to provide for ourselves, then God will not honor the work we are about to do, for it is not 100% being done for Him.

What a blessing it has been to meet him and talk to him. Let’s see where God takes this. As for me and you, let’s be ready to consider any place He takes us for any reason, and not consider any call too small.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Today’s Topic:  It’s Not In Vain

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 49:4    But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’S hand, and my reward is with my God.”

Some days work seems meaningless. There are times when it appears that no one is listening. Moments of doubt can turn into mountains of discouragement as investments deliver no return. Such is the mindset stamped with the signature of Satan.

I thoroughly enjoy being in my workshop. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to do anything out there recently because of the heat. I really haven’t had anything to do out there either. But when I do, I love it. Whether it’s sharpening the blades on the lawn mower or repairing a small appliance or building something from wood, I love working with my hands. I think the reason is that I need something where I can see visible results. I need to see the product of my labor.

Many of you get to see that every day in your jobs. You go to work, fulfill your obligations, check things off the “to do” list, and at the end of the day you can see what was accomplished. It’s different for me. Sometimes it gets hard. There have been times in my life of ministry when I have absolutely related to Isaiah’s words – “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.” Fortunately this is not one of those times, but maybe it is for you.

Maybe this is a time in your life when it seems that you have no purpose. You may be in a profession that involves people rather than production, and the people for whom you labor are not responding. You work hard to accomplish something of value, but it seems that it has no affect on anyone. Nothing changes. Then add to that the lack of affirmation about what you are doing and suddenly the personal value tank is empty.

I have had times like that. That’s why hanging on my wall in my office, directly across from my desk and right next to the door where I see it all the time, is a plaque that hung on the wall of my parent’s home since I was a child. It is an open Bible with the following verse on it – Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know your labor is not in  vain in the Lord.(1 Corinthians 15:58)

Today I will print out the words of Isaiah 49:4 and hang them on the wall directly below that plaque. But not before I ask the Holy Spirit to stamp them as God’s signature on my heart and mind right alongside 1 Corinthians 15:58. I know there will be a time when I will wonder when I will ever see the fruit of my labor and I will need them.

Pastor John

Connecting Points

Monday, July 18, 2011

Today’s Topic:  The Blessings of Obedience

Today’s Text:  Isaiah 48:18-19   “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed from before me.”

“If only…”

Those are powerful words. They conjure conviction. They remind of regrets. They soak with shame.

“If only…” We can all finish that sentence, and when we do it becomes a sentence. It locks us in the prison of what could have been.

The Enemy of our souls mocks Almighty God with the lives of the redeemed who are locked in the bondage of regret. As pride combines with the pursuit of self-worth, the past becomes a prison.  The remembrance of failure fuels our fear. Our view of our value is no longer vertical. We have lost hope for the future. We live only in the dream of reliving the past. It is exactly where Satan wants us – convinced that we cannot be forgiven. Life lived under the control of “If only…” is obnoxiously opposed to the grace of God.

The Lord only reminds us of the past to magnify His grace that has set us free. The past is a building block upon which our lives stand to gain a higher view of God, rather than a block that forms a wall that limits our view of God. When God reminded the Israelites of what could have been, it was to set them free from the bondage of those memories. God longs with an eternal longing to shower His grace and restore His embrace.

That freedom comes at a price – our obedience. The Lord reminds us of the past so that we might learn to obey Him. Satan reminds us of the past to convince us that we are no longer able to obey. Memories of the consequences of our sin are the fertile soil in which God plants the seeds of righteousness. Confession of our sin fertilizes the seeds with the grace of forgiveness and the seeds grow to produce fruit for the glory of God.

Satan attempts to steal the seeds. In their place he plants seeds of doubt, fear, and worthlessness. They do not grow to bear fruit, but serve only to make the soil hard. The water of the Word of God begins to run off rather than soak in, and we are left dry and weary. But in the words of the Vernon Charlesworth hymn, “Jesus is the Rock in a weary land.”

When the people of Israel were in such a dry and weary land as they escaped from the bondage of Egypt, they did not thirst as water came flowing from the rock. Even thought they thought it was hopeless and they complained, God was there to show grace. Hundreds of years later God reminds them of that fact through Isaiah’s words in verse 21. Read it and be refreshed. God’s grace gushes out.

The prison walls of “If only…” are not able to stand against the gushing of grace. God has declared you are free. He says to us in verse 20 to leave the place of bondage for the Lord has redeemed you. Shout it with joy to the ends of the earth. We are free. Any and all memories of the past are washed in the blood of the Lamb and are now only reminders to obey and experience the fullness of God’s blessing from this day forward.

Look up. You are about to be gushed upon.

Pastor John