July 19th - A Promise for Progeny

A Promise for Progeny

(Isaiah 57:1-21; 58:1-14; 59:1-21

Man Guided by God

By Marc Chagall

1956

What a faithful God we have, who keeps His word and never leaves His people. No matter what we may do or say, His love will persist.

We may abandon Him, but He will never abandon us.

We may forsake Him, but He will never forsake us.

We may ignore His voice, but He will answer us when we cry out to Him.

The Lord has promised His Holy Spirit to those who call upon Him and enter His covenant of love and grace. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah announced the words of the Lord.

"’As for Me,

this is My covenant with them,’

says the Lord.

‘My Spirit, who is on you,

and My words that I have put in your mouth

will not depart from your mouth,

or from the mouths of your children,

or from the mouths of their descendants

from this time on and forever,’

says the Lord.”

(Isaiah 59:21, NIV)

Thank God for faith-filled parents, who seek Him with their whole hearts and cry out to Him for the souls of their children. May the Lord seal the next generation, and generations yet to come, for His holy Kingdom.

Who prayed for you, that you would come to know the Lord’s great mercy? For whom do you pray?

Let’s pray through this Scripture together today, asking God to place His mark upon generations to come.

Will you pray with me?

Holy One,

The Lord of all ages,

Place Your covenant of love

Upon us

And upon our children

And upon our children’s children

Yet to come.

May we

And they

Speak Your truth

To Your glory.

May we leave legacies of love

To last for all

The ages.

Amen.

July 18th - A Holy Husband

A Holy Husband

(Isaiah 54:4-17; 55:1-13; 56:1-12)

The Lord Shall Be Your Husband

By J. S. Crompton

Have you ever been scorned, criticized harshly or mistreated? Has a loved one ignored you or even attacked you outright? How rejection hurts!

How much more does desertion or even abuse hurt, when it comes from one who has vowed to love and cherish for life?

How many women have known such pain? Perhaps you know a wife who suffers from mistreatment at the hands of her husband. Maybe someone dear to you has been ignored, rejected or even abandoned by the man who promised to love her forever. Possibly, you have faced such a sad plight yourself.

There is a Lover who will never leave. He will never turn His back upon His beloved. And He loves with an ever-tender touch. He cherishes His own.

“’For your Maker is your husband —
the Lord Almighty is His name —
the Holy One of Israel

is your Redeemer;
He is called the God of all the earth.

The Lord will call you back
as if you were a wife

deserted and distressed in spirit —
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,’

says your God.”

(Isaiah 54:5-6, NIV, emphasis added)

Do you know Him? His arms are open to receive you. The Lord desires to be the lover of your soul, your forever friend and your ally for always. Though others may fail or even attack, He only and ever loves. This Lover may be trusted.

Will you accept His invitation?

Will you pray with me?

Tender loving Savior,

We adore You.

Wholly faithful Father,

We live to belong to You.

Gentle Holy Spirit,

Guard our hearts

From those who would break them.

Mend our fragile feelings

And salve our injured souls,

For we have been marred

By failed human promises.

Only You are true.

Teach us to trust You

Forever.

Amen.

July 17th - Return of the Ransomed

Return of the Ransomed

(Isaiah 48:16-22; 49:1-26; 50:1-11)

Singing into Zion

Artist Unknown

I love the promise contained in the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. How the Lord’s people must have eagerly awaiting His coming.

Isaiah spoke of the release of the captives and their triumphant return into Zion, the City of the Lord. Although Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled historically, these lines will ring true again in the fulfillment of God’s time. When the Lord calls His people to the New Jerusalem, will we not echo the victorious song of the children of Israel?

How blessed are we, that He has already come and that He has promised to come again. May we anticipate His arrival with great joy. May God prepare us for His advent. May we greet the Lord with great gladness, filled with the faith that comes from Him. May He be the focus of our attention and devotion.

The ransomed of the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

(Isaiah 51:11, NIV)

Here’s a poem the Lord gave to me today. May God bless you, as He guides you today and always.

Returning in Joy

I wonder why our lifelines lie,

As we seek absent alibi.

We need not glance

At second chance,

For victory is nearly nigh.

In gladness greatest, may we find

Our sorrows lost, our hearts refined.

He calls us out

From shame and doubt

To crown us with His perfect mind.

No planning may we purpose past

Jehovah’s purpose – it will last.

May we rejoice

To hear His voice

And find our faith holds ever fast.

Will you pray with me?

Great God,

You have promised

That Your victory is already won.

All Your words are ever true.

Grant us Your joy,

As we seek Your promises

Fulfilled.

May we hold Your banner

of love and truth

ever higher.

Amen.

Posted for a variety of prompts:

Easy Street Prompts (“lifelines”)

Heads or Tails (“where” or “wear”)

Totally Optional Prompts (“spontaneity” or “planning”)