We look forward to a better day. But it seems like a long time coming. We look forward to that day that just will not arrive. We look forward to that day when we will put our problems behind. We look forward to that day when God's priorities in our life will be more than good intentions, but reality. We look forward to that perfect day.
Yet, we live in the not yet there. I know I've yet to experience that perfect day. But I am looking forward to it.
But it seems like a long journey. There are lots of obstacles in the way. Sometimes it seems like there are so many obstacles and they are so large that I feel like just giving up. The effort is too much that I settle for the current reality of my situation and convince myself that this is the best it is ever going to be.
But listen to the words of Isaiah the prophet. "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." (Isaiah 40:1-2)
I find this an incredible message, because Isaiah lived in that not yet time. We think the problems our country faces are severe. But the things we face are really nothing to what Isaiah and the people of Jerusalem faced (if you are interested you can check it out in Isaiah 36-39). Yet, in spite of all of this Isaiah speaks of God's deliverance not in the future tense, but the past tense. He says, 'the hard service is complete, the sins have been paid for, and we have received from the Lord double the grace for the judgment we deserved.'
How can Isaiah speak of future deliverance in the past? Because his faith was so sure and confident in God's promises! You might feel like there is a long road ahead. You might feel like there is no end. You might feel like there is no answer.
God says, "in the desert (this barren time of life, when hope runs dry) prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley (those areas of guilt where you feel unforgivable) shall be raised up, every mountain and hill (those areas of pride where you push God out) made low; the rough ground (places where you are not sure where you should step) shall become level, the rugged places (fill with danger and uncertainty) a plain." (Isaiah 4:3-4)
And it is through all of this, these difficult moments that "THE GLORY OF THE LORD WILL BE REVEALED, AND ALL MANKIND TOGETHER WILL SEE IT."
Believe! There is a better day ahead. God will ultimately prevail! In the fullness of time, he sent Jesus. It was the right time. It was the perfect time. And God's deliverance for you will come at the right and perfect time. I know it is true because it is true, and was true, and will be true for he is the One who Is, the One who Was, and the One who Is to Come.
Readings for next week:
| 07 | Hosea 6:1-9:17 3 John 1:1-15 Psalm 126:1-6 Proverbs 29:12-14 | 08 | Hosea 10:1-14:9 Jude 1:1-25 Psalm 127:1-5 Proverbs 29:15-17 | |
| 09 | Joel 1:1-3:21 Revelation 1:1-20 Psalm 128:1-6 Proverbs 29:18 | 10 | Amos 1:1-3:15 Revelation 2:1-17 Psalm 129:1-8 Proverbs 29:19-20 | |
| 11 | Amos 4:1-6:14 Revelation 2:18-3:6 Psalm 130:1-8 Proverbs 29:21-22 | 12 | Amos 7:1-9:15 Revelation 3:7-22 Psalm 131:1-3 Proverbs 29:23 | |
| 13 | Obadiah 1:1-21 Revelation 4:1-11 Psalm 132:1-18 Proverbs 29:24-25 |
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