THE LORD SPOKE (October 2)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Isaiah 38-40

Pity party! We don’t mind being invited to one once in awhile because we know that when we throw our own, everybody will be obligated to come to ours. It’s not too hard to dish out a little pity once in awhile if we know that in return we’ll get some huge scoops ourselves.

Nations can have pity parties too. Israel, amazingly, had let herself get to the point where she thought God didn’t care anymore. After 39 chapters of blinding judgment, she could no longer see the Lord. Whining, Israel complains, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God” (Is. 40:27).

She couldn’t see the Lord anymore? Did He go away somewhere? Was He sleeping on the job? Israel couldn’t see the Lord because she had moved away from Him. If you find yourself far from the Lord, there’s no question about who did the moving.

In this chapter, the prophet Isaiah answers three doubting conclusions that Israel had come to. Having taken her eyes off the Lord, Israel had let herself slip to the point of thinking...

1. God isn’t able anymore. (Answer: Is. 40:12-20)
2. God isn’t in control anymore. (Answer: Is. 40:21-26)
3. God doesn’t care anymore. (Answer: Is. 40:27-31)

In response, Isaiah reminds Israel that the Creator of the Universe never consulted a counselor (Is. 40:13). The Infinite Source of all things doesn’t incline to idols (Is. 40:18). The King of the Earth doesn’t kowtow to mere kids (Is. 40:24). The Ultimate Reason for All Being does, in fact, understand us (Is. 40:28-31).

When we are weary (4x in Is. 40:28-31!), the Lord “considers our frame; he knows that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14) and He comes to our aid. He renews our strength. But, it’s not automatic! Notice that this happens for “those who hope in the Lord” (Is. 40:31).

So where is your hope today? In what are you trusting? Why not turn down the next invitation to a pity party so you can pause a little, take stock, and get your eyes back on the Lord. Talk to Him about it and see if your doubts still make any sense.

Oh, and don’t forget to cancel your own party, of course.


Psalm 31-32

Psalm 32 is the first “maskil” in the Psalter. There are twelve others altogether. For sure, it’s some kind of literary or musical term but the Hebrew root comes from a verb meaning “to understand, to be prudent”. The Hebrew lexicon calls this “a contemplative psalm”. The word is used in Psalm 14:2 and 53:2 in the sense of understanding or prudence. In modern Hebrew it provides the translation of our English title for an important period in human history, the “Enlightenment”, and is the root word for “smart, intelligent”.

So, with that in mind, pay special attention to the middle of the psalm:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding.... (Ps. 32:8-9)

God has promised to give us instruction and teaching that will grow our understanding of His ways. Sometimes He has to do it through a heavy hand (Ps. 32:4). It may take rising waters and much trouble (Ps. 32:6-7) to get our attention. But, if we will but acknowledge our sin and our need for His help, He will teach us the right path. He removes our guilt and puts a song in our heart.

Did you notice? He surrounds us with “songs of deliverance”. We go on our way rejoicing and singing (Ps. 32:11). So, if you didn’t awake today with a song in your heart, try this one (It sure beats some dumb beer commercial):

You are my hiding place;
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance.
Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You

I will trust in You.
Let the weak say,
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord.