Devotional Mar. 5th, 2020
Everything We Need
Thursday, March 5th – Isaiah 64:3-4 (TLB)
“So it was before when you came down, for you did awesome things beyond our highest expectations, and how the mountains quaked! For since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God as ours, who works for those who wait for him!”
The prophet Isaiah lived his entire life watching the enemy’s of the nation constantly attack God’s people. Yet his consistent message was “Blessing and Restoration” because he passionately envisioned Christ, the Messiah to come. In this passage Isaiah’s prayer for help describes God’s intervention as awesome and beyond expectation.
This perfect picture of God coming down and the mountains quaking (flowed down) aptly applies to our spiritual battles that seem to manifest as impassable obstacles to our promised land of spiritual victory. We are reminded that since the world began eyes have not seen, nor ears heard of such a God as ours and the promise that he will battle for those who wait for him.
There are 16 Hebrew words that translate into “wait” in the Old Testament. The word wait in this passage is translated from the Hebrew “chakah” and literally means “wait in earnest” (Strong’s)
During the latter half of the 8th century Israel, the Northern Kingdom, had suffered immeasurable decline. Samaria was destroyed in 722 BC. A long progression of wicked kings, diminishing faith and empty ritual foretold the downfall of Israel. Judah, led by the degenerate King Ahaz seemed willing to follow Israel’s pathway to apostasy and looked toward pagan Assyria for security and deliverance instead of waiting on their covenant God, Jehovah. In the face of such unfaithfulness Isaiah raised a stern and determined protest. With imminent destruction at their doorstep, a prayer for mercy and help is raised. Isaiah, in this prayer, paints a reassuring picture of God on the scene. Hope is restored. God’s promises are as real today as they have ever been. When the way is hard He can renew your strength. When the wind and waves bring fear you can mount up with wings like an eagle. When the burdens of life try to hold you down you can cast your cares upon Him, run and not be weary. You can walk and not faint. These are His promises to us when we look to Him in sincerity.
God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. He stands ready and waiting for His Church to earnestly seek him and wait for Him. When we do we will always find Him on the scene bringing us deliverance, restoration, victory and blessings beyond our highest expectation! For we are His people and He is our God and since the world began no one has seen or heard of such a God, such a God as ours!
Dear Lord,
Thank you for your provision.
Help me always remember that you are the God who provides and I need not look anywhere else.
Teach me your promises and grow my faith in you. Remind me if I doubt.
Help me focus on you, wait on you and earnestly seek you for divine intervention. Remove my doubt.
I pray also for your Church. Remind us over and over that you are the Christ, the son of the Living God. That flesh and blood has not revealed this but our Father which is in heaven. Build your Church Lord, anoint each area of ministry. Oil the machinery and direct us with your Word and the Comforter you have sent. Bring us closer to you and one another. Bless us with unity of spirit, confidence in your promises and revelation that you are the Christ, willing and able to provide even more than we ask or think.
In Jesus name let it be so.
Amen
– Allyn Almond