THE LORD SPOKE (November 7)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Ezekiel 8-10

The “Voice of America” is a radio program that rings hope and strength to many people in remote corners of the earth. For the expatriate hungry for news and assurance from his homeland, it’s a voice of cheer and strength. For the freedom fighter needing encouragement, it’s a voice of assurance that liberty is worth the sacrifice it takes. For the oppressed under crushing regimes, it’s a tower of strength and a beacon for freedom.

Ezekiel speaks of an infinitely greater voice. He speaks of “the voice of God Almighty when He speaks” (10:5). What does the audible voice of God sound like? The producers of Prince of Egypt attempted to portray that sound by dozens of over-laid recordings of the same voice, giving it a booming depth of sound and feeling of authority. Very good try. But we still wonder how close it comes to the Real Thing.

More important than hearing the audible voice of God is to hear Him when He speaks. This is a major concern of Ezekiel. Beginning at 5:15 the prophet uses the phrase “I the Lord have spoken” a total of 65 times. That’s impressive! The foundation of all that Ezekiel says is based on “thus saith the Lord”. His voice is...

• The Voice of Authority - When He speaks, it is spoken! It is the voice of God Almighty; who could oppose it? Who would want to try?
• The Voice of Righteousness - It sets the standard and establishes right and wrong. It removes the gray areas and paints things in black and white.
• The Voice of Judgment - It crashes down on sin and pronounces a sentence on the evil lurking in my heart.
• The Voice of Comfort and Cheer - It brings healing and cure for brokenness. It is a balm that soothes the weary soul.
• The Voice of Promise - It speaks in terms of eternal covenants and the characteristic phrase is “I will”.
• The Voice of Hope - It provides the only real reason for living and gives meaning to life.

O God, speak to me.
Quiet me and slow me down so that
you don’t have to fight to get my attention.
Then let me hear your voice.
Please, let me gain assurance and conviction from your Word
and then let me go forth in humble power to serve you.
May my strength come from the certainty
that you have spoken.

Psalm 103-104

It’s not so much that we have a bad memory. Our memory is pretty good. It’s just that we have a better “forgettery”. The Bible very frequently tells us not to forget. In fact, the emphasis on tangible memorials in Scripture is remarkable. Consider, for instance, just the memorials related to the Exodus experience: the fiery pillar and cloud to remember God’s presence and leading, Miriam’s song, the lack of golden earrings, all the funerals and tombstones scattered throughout the desert, the serpent on a pole, the Ark of the Covenant (with its stone tablets, Aaron’s rod, and jar of manna), the Tabernacle, the stones piled at the Jordan River, circumcision, and all the holidays related to it (Tabernacles, Passover, Simhat Torah). That’s a lot of memory!

After a declaration of my soul’s praise to the Lord, Psalm 103 begins with the exhortation, “forget not all his benefits”. That is followed by five verbs that describe His wonderful works which are not to be forgotten:

• He forgives all my sins - Burdens are lifted at Calvary. The slate has been washed clean. I have been cleansed and forgiven.
• He heals all my diseases - I can trust Him for a grace sufficient for every sickness - from the small aches and pains to the big cancers of life. He is the Great Physician.
• He redeems my life - The price He paid shows the value He placed on me. How can it be that I should gain an interest in His love?
• He crowns me with love and compassion - He has graced my life with goodness. As His child, I’ve been lifted up and given the position of a prince and an heir.
• He satisfies my desires with good things - Both my needs and my longings are supplied. Deep fulfillment and constant joy is the result.

The Rolling Stones couldn’t get no satisfaction because they were looking in all the wrong places for all the wrong things. Try looking to the Lord and you’ll find the truest and deepest satisfaction that exists.

All my life long I had panted
For a drink from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Through His blood I now am saved.

Clara T. Williams

THE LORD SPOKE (September 30)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Isaiah 32-34

Are we heading into difficult times? It would appear so. Israel was in bad times in Isaiah’s day and headed for more of the same. The prophet, by inspiration, gives us some wise counsel and very helpful encouragement on how to face tough times.

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high.... He will be the sure foundation for your times.... The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. (Is. 33:5-6)

It is the man who fears the Lord that can survive a depression. Even when everything around him is crashing down, because he is in step with the Lord, he is able to carry on. He is steadfast, like a rock, because he is founded on the Rock that can’t be moved. So the question must be, who is that man? How do I “fear the Lord”? Isaiah answers:

He who walks righteously
and speaks what is right,
who rejects gain from extortion
and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
who stops his ears against plots of murder
and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil -
this is the man who will dwell on the heights,
whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.
His bread will be supplied,
and water will not fail him. (Is. 33:15-16)

When people have lost hope, he hasn’t. When those around him are stressing out, he isn’t. When others are going hungry, he won’t.

There is hope in the darkest of days because God is there. He is the ultimate source of any and all hope. Hang on to Him and don’t let go.

O Lord, be gracious to us;
We long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress. (Is. 33:2)


Psalms 27-28

Hamlet had his soliloquy. This is David’s! Psalm 27 is one man’s confident monologue of trust in God. David was surrounded by foes. Probably more so than any of us. He had many reasons to look over his shoulder and to seek ways to harden himself. But this triumphant prayer reveals what he was as the ultimate source of strength.

Ps. 27:1 - “the Lord is my light”. This is both a recognition that, without Him, all is black darkness and a confident confession that He is the source of life itself. He’s a shelter in the time of storm. He is my stronghold in life.

Ps. 27:4 - “one thing I ask of the Lord”. To be in His presence is to know peace. It may be storming all around but He gives tranquility. Not only is He a shelter in the storm, He is the source of beauty and fulfillment. He makes life worth living. He is my satisfaction in life.

Ps. 27:6 - “I will sing and make music to the Lord”. He puts a spring in my step and makes it worth getting up in the morning. He does so much more than just provide the bare necessities of life. He adds beauty and grace. He writes the melody and supports it with harmony. He is my song in life.

Ps. 27:8 - “your face, Lord, will I seek”. When I come to Him, He does not hide, or turn away in anger, or reject me. His arms are always open to enfold me. I can be sure that even when all else may fail me, He will not. He is my security in life.

Ps. 27:11 - “teach me your way, O Lord”. I want to know more. I want to apply what I know. I want to observe Him and learn by His example. He is the master teacher. He is my supervisor in life.

I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. (Ps. 27:13-14)

It’s worth it!