impinged

Again I’ve really had to work out what God is saying in these verses with my pen. And then from pen and paper it is transcribed to here.

My understanding of what the Psalmist is saying is this: because we are in the world and evil is in the world, we will see evil. Evil may be all around us and we will see evil people prosper. However, as long as our trust, hope and faith are in God, the evil cannot enter us but it may affect us. Our perspective must be that of a spectator because we have a secret and that secret is we know who wins in the end. That is what we need to keep in mind for we don’t know what God is doing, and even if he told us we might not believe (see Habakkuk), but we do know that Jesus already won.

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I seriously struggled with these verses. For several days I read them over and over in multiple translations - constantly wondering what I would write. I knew I didn’t understand but again I trusted that when today came and it was time to write that God would show up. And he did. As I read the verses again today it was as if the clouds parted and a deep understanding flowed in…

In the past as I read these verses I always thought they said that if we believe in God “He will shield you with his wing.” He will protect us and no evil will befall us. But I know from my own experience that just isn’t true. But if the Bible says it and it isn’t true, then can we really trust the Bible? Oh how this perplexed me spreading doubt in my mind. Then, today as I read I saw something new. In verse 3 it says, “For he will rescue you from every trap.” For some reason I thought that meant we would avoid the traps altogether. Actually it implies that we will get caught in the trap: for who needs rescuing from a trap they haven’t been caught in? Instead, these verses tell us we will have hard times but God always be there to help us through.

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Life is dangerous. We will all face tragedy in life. And the scariest part about that truth is that we have no control over it. So how do we deal with the very real fears of everyday life? I used to be afraid of many things. Driving in the rain at night would give me visions of hydro-planing head long into a semi. Today it doesn’t bother me. Why? Because I’ve realized I am a child of God and he holds the universe in his hands. I know that no fate will befall me that he doesn’t allow. That doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen to me. It also doesn’t give me license to be foolish. It just means that I trust God and whatever happens he will see me through.

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There is a joy, that can’t be described, that becomes a part of the fabric of our being when we come to know Jesus Christ personally. In church a few weekends ago, Joel, the worship leader, prayed asking God to quench the thirst within us. I thought, “No Lord, don’t quench my thirst, make me thirstier for you!” For it has only been in this development of a deep and unquenchable thirst that I have found peace and joy in my life. Despite any problems that arise, I have the confidence of an overwhelming joy. And I believe that is what these verses in Isaiah speak of. The beginning verses of this chapter tell what Jesus is going to do and then these verses tell the result. What an amazing thing to be able to rejoice in the in the Lord in your own life. What an amazing gift to be able to share it with others.

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Life isn’t fair. As Christ followers we will suffer. Maybe our suffering will be as persecution. Maybe our suffering will be in watching the wicked prosper while we struggle. Maybe it will be through the refiners fire as God molds us for his purpose. Or maybe we will suffer because of our own stupid mistakes. Suffice it to say, regardless of the reason, we will suffer. In spite of that, we still have our God and we know who he is. He loves justice and will reward his people for their faithfulness in suffering.

“Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed” Isaiah 61:9b

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Restoration. With the coming messiah also comes restoration. Jesus has come! Those who know him, and I mean know him not just a passive belief, find restoration of the desolation of generations.

What is more beautiful than our own restoration? Seeing others, whose lives are a mess, restored. It seems to be contagious: for when our own lives are healed we see the possibility for other to be healed and we want that for them. And so a revival starts - the energy of an unstoppable force.

In verse 6 the text says, “You shall eat the riches of Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast.” I believe the riches are God’s creation, eating of them means to take in God’s people who don’t yet know him. Boasting in their glory is the celebration of seeing people saved.

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