Awaken

As we step into a brand new work week we need God leading us through it. And he's eager to communicate! Let's let him speak a fresh word to us from Isaiah 52:1-12 today. There are several powerful statements here. I am hearing so much that is resonating with me. How about you? I have a painting on my wall with a caption from verse 12. But today it's the beginning of the chapter that I want to meditate on.

Awake, awake, . . . clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor. . . . Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned. . . . Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. (v. 1-2)

In these words I can hear God's heart for the people he has created, and especially those he calls his own. We get so proud as humans and imagine that we don't really need God that much, or we think he doesn't really get it when it comes to our needs and desires. But here is a great snapshot of what God will do for us if we let him.

He begins by awakening me. Because when I'm not in tune with him it's like I'm sleepwalking through life. Even now, sometimes I get distracted and fall back into a bleary haze. Connecting closely to God wakes me up! His voice pulls me back to clarity and alertness. He helps me see what I've been missing--all the things that make life beautiful and satisfying, the implications of the messages I'm receiving, the path that my choices are leading me down, how much blessing there is around and in store for me.

After awakening me, he clothes me. He dresses me in the righteousness of Jesus--so that I'm much more attractive than I could ever be on my own. He gives me strength and moral veracity to seize the life and character he wants for me. Without him I'm weak and powerless.

Then he gives me every reason to shake off the dust of sadness and depression from me. (Covering yourself with dust or ashes was a cultural way of expressing deep emotional pain.) He invites me to trade in my sorrows for the joy of the Lord!

He reminds me of my position of glory as his child. Every day he encourages me to take my throne as a prince of heaven! Quit living like I am nothing more than an unremarkable, ordinary guy. Remember and reflect my position of honor as a member of his royal family. Think as a prince of heaven, act as a prince of heaven!

And finally I have his blessing of freedom. He's already set me free from the guilt of my sins. And now he's urging me to live free! I am free to run, to dance, to sing, to live my life out from under the slavery of sin (hear a song there?). He's given me the power to break its grip on me and now it's just up to me to believe it, claim it, and discipline myself so that I experience that freedom.

Jesus, it amazes me the way you give my life wings! I know you are good and I have felt you fulfill these promises in my own story. I want to continue to grow in my experience of you and this quality of life that you lead me into!

So what about you? What statement from this part of Isaiah 52 spoke especially to you? I would love to hear your impressions and so would the other readers! To comment, choose Anonymous from the profile list or log into your Google account.