Almighty God is speaking to me today from Isaiah 63:7-14. Let's take a few minutes and soak in what he has to say. Before you read, pray for God to open your mind and heart to really hear and understand and receive it.
One thing that jumps out at me here is the three times he mentions the Holy Spirit. Only subtle glimpses of the Trinity are revealed in the Old Testament and so this is one of the exceptional texts. I am impressed with what is said about all that the Holy Spirit is to God's people, including his personal relationship of love with us. His heart is grieved when we rebel (v. 10). He lives among us to provide all the power we need to deliver us from whatever would enslave us (v. 11). His presence in our lives has a restful effect as we let him be our guide (v. 14).
But there's more:
In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them . . . (v. 9).
God, it's so good to know that there is so much truth behind the classic "Footprints" poem. I hear you saying to me that you don't sit back disconnected from the hard things I go through. Instead you actually enter into my suffering with me. You actually feel my distress and my pain. When I hurt, you hurt. How amazing! I see the tender empathy of a mother for her child in you!
I also see the strength of father. You don't just care; you are there to save and deliver me. Your presence in my life is real and powerful and comforting. When I can't put one foot in front of the other, you really do pick me up in your strong arms and and carry me like a good dad through the darkest chapters of my life. I praise you, God, for your awesome love for me! And I treasure our relationship. Amen.
Your comments add so much to the conversation! Please comment below about how God is speaking to you in this text.
How could I go on without Him carrying me? I love the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd...going out and looking for that one little lamb that took off in its own direction, finding it, rescuing it, and then picking it up and carrying it home. I want to go Home!
ReplyDeleteThis is a truth that I need to be reminded of today. How fitting!!
ReplyDeleteSo many times, I feel that I have to figure my own way out of difficult situations. I think that if something in my life changes then I will make a mess of everything. This passage reminds me that God will carry me, he will rescue me, and he will redeem me. With God as my guide, I can trust that I will be carried even if times get very dark and situations become hard to face.
Thank you Lord, for the reminder of your desire to carry me, to not allow me to face life's tough times on my own!! You will always provide the support I need.
Michele
Reading book praying Gods word breaking spiritual strongholds helps those struggling. God carrying me what an a
ReplyDeleteAmazing thought