I Didn't See That Coming!

Daily Reading: Isaiah 29

Scripture Focus: In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 29.18-19)

Devotional Thought: In 2018, Canadian pastor and author Carey Nieuwhof wrote a book titled, Didn't See It Coming.  In it he addressed "the seven greatest challenges that no one expects and everyone experiences."  I think I could have been the "poster child" in all seven of his chapters!  Life has a way of sneaking up on you.  At the age of 62, I must confess how little I have seen coming.

Isaiah helped Jerusalem see two things coming - their demise and subsequent rebirth.  After foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, Isaiah painted a beautiful picture of restoration:

·       Out of silence - a book.  For many years, the people had ignored the book of God.  They had suffered for it.  Spiritually unmoored and morally bankrupt, they were walking after other gods and lost the blessing of the one true God.  But, this sin-deafened generation would be the recipients of the book of God.  The prophecy was fulfilled when the priest Hilkiah discovered the long-neglected book of the Law.  How about you?  Has God fallen silent in your life?  Do you need to rediscover the book of God?

·       Out of darkness - vision.  When the Word and ways of God are deserted, we lose sight of hope.  Gloom and darkness are the lot for many people.  This world is a hard place, and people struggle to see anything good.  But, there is hope!  God has sent his Son Jesus to be the light of the world!  As the old rock song goes - with a different twist: "Let the Son shine in!" 

Wait!  There's more!  When God speaks to us and shines his light into our lives, we are given fresh joy and we can exult in the Holy One of Israel. 

Did you see that coming?

Prayer: Oh Holy One of Israel, I thank you for the words of your Book and the light of your face.  You have given me such great joy, and my heart exults in you.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 62.1-4

1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah