THE LORD SPOKE (September 21)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Isaiah 6-8

“The Lord spoke” (Is. 8:11)

If He doesn’t speak, you can’t hear Him. But just because He speaks is no guarantee that you’ll hear Him. What must be done to hear Him when He speaks?

1. Be in the right place where you can hear Him when He speaks. For us today that will mean the daily listening post of personal devotions - a regular, consistent time when you expect Him to speak to you through His word. It should also mean a weekly listening post where you can corporately listen to His voice and mutually encourage one another to obey. We call it “church”.
2. Be with the right people so His voice is not lost in the clutter and clatter. Friends can help or hinder the voice of God in our lives. Make sure you choose the right friends. (Notice the rest of Isaiah 8:11.) The starting place would be with other believers.
3. Be in the right position to act upon His words. You need the right disposition so you don’t find yourself in opposition to Him. God might have to get your attention by imposition or deposition. So pre-position yourself with the supposition that you will always conform to the exposition of Scripture. Translation: “humble yourself under God’s mighty hand” (I Pet. 5:6).

“The Lord spoke to me” (Is. 8:11)

Did you notice? The prophet made it very personal and you can/should too. He was told, “do not follow” the popular way (8:11) and “do not fear” the peoples’ phobias (8:12). God is a sanctuary (8:14a) - a place of refuge and protection - for those who regard Him as holy (8:13). To the contrary, He is a stumbling stone (8:14b) or a snare (8:14c) to entrap those who refuse to do so.

“The Lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me” (Is. 8:11)

If you want some real encouragement try tracking that idea in the ministry of Ezra! It’s found six times in Ezra 7 and 8. Do you sense God’s strong hand upon you? If you ever have, you’ll not want to live without it!


Psalm 9-10

What will happen to the man who forgets God?

• Ps. 9:3 - he will miss the trail (“turn back”, “stumble”, “perish”)
• Ps. 9:5 - he will go over the cliff (“rebuked”, “destroyed”, “blotted out”)
• Ps. 9:6 - his search team will give up (“ruin[ed]”, “uprooted”, “perished”)
• Ps. 9:15-16 - he will fall into his own traps (“fall into the pit”, “caught in the net”, “ensnared”)
• Ps. 9:17-20 - he will eventually lose all hope of rescue (“return to the grave”, “judged”, “struck with terror”)

But what will happen to the man who remembers the Lord?

• Ps. 9:2 - he will go on his way singing (“be glad”, “rejoice”)
• Ps. 9:4 - he will stay on track (“upheld my right and my cause”)
• Ps. 9:9 - he will reach the cabin before the story (“a refuge”, “a stronghold”)
• Ps. 9:10 - he will always see some tracks on the trail ahead (“trust”, “never forsaken”)
• Ps. 9:11 - he will have great stories to tell around the campfire (“sing praises”, “proclaim”)

What does God do in the meantime?

• Ps. 9:1,4 - He established all the trails in the first place and He’s still making new ones (“all your wonders”, “sat on your thrown”)
• Ps. 9:7-8 - He puts up the signs and trail markers (“reigns”, “established”, “govern”)
• Ps. 9:10,12 - He maintains them and has His own safety patrol system (“never forsaken those who seek”, “does not ignore their cries”)
• Ps. 9:19-20 - He expects and gets full compliance (“judge”, “strike”, “let them know”)

It’s a good trail! There are some dangerous and scarey parts but it leads through some of the most spectacular scenery to be found. The signs and sounds in the valleys are no less awe-inspiring than the alpine meadows and craggy peaks as you approach the summit. The panoramic vista from on top is worth it all. You’re a lot closer to Heaven up there. The trail is less worn up there but it’s well-marked if you know how to follow the signs.