CONSIDER IT
Have you ever been to the desert? If not, it is hard to imagine how baking hot and dry it is there. Your nose and mouth dry out. The wind stings your eyes. The sun is so strong that despite the heat you want to cover your skin to protect it. Without sunglasses and a hat, the glare is unbearable. There are various forms of deserts all over the Middle East, so it was a familiar landscape to the biblical writers. The desert had strong associations for them. When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said He was going to transform the desert, Isaiah's hearers knew exactly how significant that was.
When you think of the desert, what images or memories come to mind?
EXPERIENCE IT
"Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy. I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me! Make Me the desire your heart. Let me fulfill your yearning for perfection"
How could making Jesus the deepest desire of your heart help you? What can you do to cultivate that desire?
"Hope is a golden cord connecting you to heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high, even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I never leave your side, and I never let go of your hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may slump and your feet may shuffle so you journey uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from your weary feet to the glorious view you can see from the high road. You are reminded that the road we're traveling together is ultimately a highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes much less significant. I am training you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My continual Presence and the hope of heaven"
What do you think helps a person become gripped by the hope of heaven? How can a person who is struggling with a rough road grow in hope?
(Consider It ... Experience It / Sarah Young)
Scripture Insight: Isaiah 35:3-4 and Isaiah 11:2-5
"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear, your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped"
ReplyDelete(Isaiah 35:3-4 / New International Version)
"The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him (Jesus) ... and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he has seen with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for he poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist"
(Isaiah 11:2-5 / New International Version)