email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

May 7, 2019

Isaiah 65:24-25

Before they call I will answer;
    while they are still speaking I will hear.
The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
    and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
    and dust will be the serpent’s food.
They will neither harm nor destroy
    on all my holy mountain,”
says the Lord.

Psalm 126:3

The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
New International Version (NIV)

                 Sometimes we may think of prayer and worship as a quid pro quo. Sort of like those obstreperous Coca Cola machines of old. You put in a quarter, or these days two perfect, unwrinkled dollars, and the machine has to give you what you ask for. But woe to those who push the wrong button. The machine only gives the drink you select. And there is no reasoning with them afterward. This may explain why an inordinate number of people have died wrestling with said machines (sad, but true story).

                One major difference between our generous God and vending machines is that he cares for us enough to always will the best for us. So sometimes he gives us things before we even ask him. We did not ask God for a daughter but one day an ill wind in New Orleans brought her this way. Eugene Peterson reminds us that God is the initiator in prayer (and worship, I would add.) So before we call he is already preparing what we need. Does this change the way we think about prayer?

                Isaiah is writing about a day when Israel returns from captivity. In a state of spiritual destitution and political chaos, Israel left their land in great sorrow. But some 70 years later God began to bring them back to the land. Of course history records that they still faced many challenges. So when is this fulfilled? Certainly, in Christ all the prophecies of the Old Testament come to fruition. He is God’s answer for our world. Our world didn’t ask for him, but God sent him anyway. No wonder the Psalmist writes about the return from exile with these words: “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” That is my story. Is it yours?

Pray with me:

Father, how we thank you for giving us good things that we had not even asked of you. Thank you, too, for not giving us everything we asked of you. Thank you for Christ. You have done great things for us in Christ! Let the joy overflow! Be glorified in us, your church today and forever. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan. Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download
the app at readscripture.org. Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully,
Duane

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