“This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite
in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
For this is what the LORD says:
“I will extend peace to her like a
river,
and the wealth of nations like a
flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her
arm and dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you;
and you will be comforted over
Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 66:2b,12, 13
Today’s Devotional will cover two themes; repentance and comfort.
In Isaiah 66, Verse 2, the one described is humble, contrite in spirit, and one who reveres and respects God’s Word to the point of trembling, being moved, and in awe.
Those who truly long to serve God will aim to be contrite in spirit, truly sorry for when they sin or mess up.
When the thought of God’s judgement comes to mind, the believer knows Jesus has covered their sins and as they repent and grieve for their sins; they have peace. The believer does not condemn themselves after being forgiven by God, since that would erase the grace given to them in Jesus Christ. Not only that, they would play into Satan’s hands by never ending condemnation of self.
These Scripture Verses outlined above prophesied to the Israelites in days of old, by the prophet Isaiah. God has also spoken these Words to you and me as we immerse ourselves reading the Bible.
God extends peace like a river over the Church, over the Believer, over those who will receive His Words into their hearts.
The last Bible Verse I wrote about today is a most beautiful segment of Scripture.
Each of us has a mother, or had a mother. As we picture our mom’s, we think about kindness, love, tenderness. Perhaps that does not describe your mother. In that case think of the most loving mom you have known. A good mother is naturally a nurturer, one who builds their children up, one who prays for them, and loves them forever.
In this picture of God’s love in verse 13 we have the promise that God will comfort us (like a wonderful mom), He will take us on His knee and carry us on His arm.
If you are alone in life with no one around you to lean on, as you lean on God, you have comfort.
Even if you are alone in a house full of people, God will comfort you and console you with His love.
Everyone of us needs someone besides people to comfort us and to lean on. Though our loved ones surround us and try their human best to be good to us, people will let you down. God never lets us down. He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
There will be times when no one will understand us, but God does.
Run to Him for comfort and for His arm to carry you.
God is strong and God is a refuge for those who will trust in Him, turn to Him, and lean on Him when they are hurting, struggling, alone or lost.
Are you willing to humble yourself before this great and glorious God, who stoops to our level to be the most intimate and loyal friend ever?
Do you need comfort, strength, wisdom, hope, and support?
God offers it all to those who will believe.
In my life, I have found all this and more in the God of my life.
No one can take that away, ever.
He is the joy of my heart and the life in my living.
What about you?
And please remember today, the more you pursue God, the more you will find Him.