Corna Devo 1361
6:00 A.M.
Lord, some of us have a full-calendar of troubles today. Trouble-makers and belly-achers. Mud-slingers and real hum-dingers. We're in the weeds, and we're not entirely sure how we're going to get out.
Help?
There are those (people/situations/diseases) that seem to thoroughly enjoy destroying and betraying others, and they have found us.
We don't really have a card to play, or an ace-in-the-hole today.
But, we have You. And we cry out to You, Lord. We can't fix things or save the day, but we believe that You can.
We hope in Your Hope. We trust in your Trust. We turn to You and Your Word and Your advice.
And we are comforted by what we find.
You know what we are up against. You know who they are and how they are.
What sorrow awaits you Assyrians, who have destroyed others but have never been destroyed yourselves. You betray others, but you have never been betrayed. When you are done destroying, you will be destroyed. When you are done betraying, you will be betrayed. ~Isaiah 33:1
Lord, You are Truth. You call a spade a spade because untruth has no place within You. Others might fool some, but no one fools You. And today, we humble ourselves before You because we are being humbled by the destroyers and the betrayers of this world.
Their ways are false, and their words are hollow, but their penalty is palpable. We will not save ourselves from their words and their ways.
However, we believe that You can.
(2) But Lord, be merciful to us, for we have waited for you. Be our strong arm each day and our salvation in times of trouble.
(3) The enemy runs at the sound of your voice. When you stand up, the nations flee! (4) Just as caterpillars and locusts strip the fields and vines, so the fallen army of Assyria will be stripped!
(5) Though the Lord is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness.
(6) In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. ~Isaiah 33:2-6
Lord, we hear You and we will trust You. Our offense and defense is in Your hands, although we hardly deserve it. You go before and behind us today, though we are not the least bit worthy of Your guard. But You love and bless Your children anyway. And You pass judgment on those who turn away from You and Yours:
But the Lord says: “Now I will stand up. Now I will show my power and might.
(11) You Assyrians produce nothing but dry grass and stubble. Your own breath will turn to fire and consume you. (12) Your people will be burned up completely, like thornbushes cut down and tossed in a fire.
(13) Listen to what I have done, you nations far away! And you that are near, acknowledge my might!” ~Isaiah 33:10-13
We have judged incorrectly if we think that we face our foes alone today. We don't.
But--our Lord is mighty and He is just--who can live with Him, or in His favor?
The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear. Terror seizes the godless. “Who can live with this devouring fire?” they cry. “Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
(15) Those who are honest and fair,
who refuse to profit by fraud,
who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
(16) these are the ones who will dwell on high.
The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance. ~Isaiah 33:14-16
Can we be those (people) today?
If, "Yes", then our victory/outcome/salvation (today and forever) is secure with the Lord.
~~~
11:25 P.M.
I woke up today knowing at least one high-pressure situation that we would face today. Trouble-makers and belly-achers were cued up and I wasn't sure what our "plan" was.
But when I sat with God's Word, He spoke right into my anxieties and unknowns through Isaiah 33.
Apparently (according to how I interpreted Isaiah 33), the "destroyers" and "betrayers" would be taken care of today, not by us or our power, but by our God and in His power (Now I will stand up. Now I will show my power and might. ~Isaiah 33:10).
How can we know at 6:25 AM what will ensue all day and come true by 11:25 PM?
I didn't know how, but I knew. God had said so.
I have miles-to-go in attaining righteousness, but I am blessed to be tethered to a man who runs his business dealings/marriage/family/thoughts/and life--all the same way, and thus, we were going to be okay.
“Who can survive this all-consuming fire?”
(15) Those who are honest and fair,
who refuse to profit by fraud,
who stay far away from bribes,
who refuse to listen to those who plot murder,
who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong—
(16) these are the ones who will dwell on high. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance. ~Isaiah 33:14-16 ~Isaiah 33:14-16
Lord, we praise You that we can come to You with fears and intimidations, and with honesty about where we are today. And we are amazed and astounded that You meet us right there. Thank you for being our sure foundation today, and for providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is our treasure (Isaiah 33:6) and promise. Amen.
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