Tag: mercy

Lord of Hosts=Lord of Heaven’s Armies

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The LORD of HOSTS, Jehovah Sabaoth, is the commander of the Heavenly Army! Who else but God himself would be leading them? Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” The New Living Translation uses the phrase Lord of Heaven’s Armies often however, in the ESV translation it reads, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” It seems that the two phrases are interchangeable. Hosts refers to the angel army of God=heavenly army. Isaiah 47:4 makes this name very clear, “Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.” When Isaiah had a vision of the throne room of God he saw the seraphim proclaiming God’s glory, Isaiah 6:3 “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

What does this army do under God’s command? Psalm 91:1 is a verse to cherish and claim, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God is always watching out for us and directs His angels to do so for Him. In 2 Samuel 5:10 scripture describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as giving David strength, “And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” In the Psalm it describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as being with them, as we know He is, Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 84:8, He listens to our prayers, “O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.” Psalm 84:12 He brings joy when we trust Him, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is the avenger of all nations who have wronged Israel. Scripture speaks of His wrath towards Babylon, Assyria, Egypt and even against His own people for abandoning Him and worshipping idols. The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 9:28-30 showing us “For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth  quickly and with finality.”29 And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: “If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom,  destroyed like Gomorrah.” God was merciful towards those who loved Him and showed them grace they did not deserve.

This name of God is powerful and filled with action as we envision God as the Commander and Chief of His Army. It is just another facet of our all -powerful sovereign God. Blessedly He reminds us in Pslam 80:19 that He is there for us. “
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! The Lord of Hosts is patient with us and desires that we be saved!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know, serve and be saved and protected by the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. What a privilege it is to have the Lord of the Heavenly Army supporting and defending me. Someday we will be with Him in glory and can praise Him with the words Isaiah heard, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!

Linda

LORD and Master to Me

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One of the names for God that we are probably most familiar with is Adonai in Hebrew or Lord, Master in English. Generally, it was used to mean someone in charge or of greater station in the society. Those usages totally apply to God as He is indeed the Lord and Master of all. When it is written in all capitals, LORD, the name refers to Yahweh or Adonay referring to the God of the universe, creator of all things. It was a personal name to the Jews for their Lord God. The name Lord or LORD appears over 6,000 times in scripture and Master 179. At times the words can be used as a person performing or acting as say the lord of his estate or master of a slave, but most references refer to God or Jesus.

Psalm 123 offers us a beautiful look at our LORD and His merciful character throughout time towards His people.

I lift up my eyes to you,
    to you who sit enthroned in heaven. God dwells in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
    as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, Others look to earthly masters
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
    till he shows us his mercy. We look to Lord our God for mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,
    for we have endured no end of contempt. Lord look on us with mercy as we are suffering,
4 We have endured no end
    of ridicule from the arrogant, We have suffered for you Lord at the hands of others.
    of contempt from the proud.

I particularly love the prophesy in Isaiah 40:3-5 about the coming of John the Baptist who would herald the coming of Jesus.

A voice of one calling: John the Baptist was that voice to come.
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord; The Lord Jesus was coming soon.
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, Jesus would reveal the Lord’s glory to us.
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

I find comfort in the Lord, as I know He is my comforter. Isaiah 49:16 “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”

Jesus was referred as Lord and Master by his disciples. One night they had been out fishing and had caught nothing. Jesus came to meet them and told them to put their nets out again. Luke 5:4-8 “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  Peter recognized a divine power within Jesus. 10b continues, “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” They knew immediately that Jesus was different, and a Lord and Master they could follow.

Paul uses the name Lord for Jesus when he speaks of salvation. Romans 8:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Jesus is our Lord and through faith in Him we can be made clean and pure- justified to stand before God! Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Without Jesus we would still be lost in our sins, thank you Jesus for the gift of enteral life and forgiveness. Philippians 2:10-12 tells us of a future time when all will know and bow before Jesus our Lord. “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.”

How do you see your Lord and Master? I hope these scriptures have helped you to see the great depth of God’s love and devotion to us. The names Lord and Master show the great privilege that God is granting to us through His grace and mercy that we can call Him our master and Lord. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can call Jesus my Lord and Master. It is an honor to be loved and cared for by Him.

Linda

Anna Receives Mercy from God

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Luke indicated in 2:22-23 that Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus went to the temple to offer a sacrifice for their new born son and for Mary’s purification. Law required that she wait 40 days after giving birth to a son to enter the temple and had to offer a sacrifice for her purification. This was an important event as they were consecrating, dedicating their new born son to God. All firstborn be it animals or people were to be dedicated to the Lord. During this event, they first met Simeon who had been told by the Lord that before he died he would see his Lord and Savior. He trusted God and believed God’s Words that he would indeed see his savior. He knew God to be a promise keeping God.

After their encounter with Simeon and hearing his prophesy, they encountered Anna a prophetess.

Luke 2:36-38  “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Doing the math, she was over 91 years old and since the temple was very large, she lived there daily spending her time worshipping and praying. Being a prophetess, she would have received prophecies from the Lord. Other such women in the Bible were Miriam, Moses’ sister, Deborah the fearless leader during the time of the Judges, Huldah, Hannah and the daughters of Philip. Anna’s encounter with Jesus, Mary and Joseph was brief but revealing as God showed her the one who would redeem the Jews.

What can we learn from Anna and her encounter with Jesus? God knew the exact time in history that His Son would be revealed to the world. He placed Anna there at that moment to confirm for us that Jesus was His Son and had a divine purpose. He was not a random child of Jewish parents, but God’s Son. He was the one through whom God would redeem all mankind. God chose devoted followers to speak of Jesus’ coming work in the world. She was an elder, revered and respected for her lifestyle, devotion to God and her ability to speak prophetic words from God. Her appearance in the life Jesus was confirming for Mary and Joseph and showed how much God loved them. God wanted them to know, along with Anna, that Jesus was His Son and they were a part of His story. God was merciful to included them in His work to save mankind.

What do you know of God’s mercy? God in His mercy does not give us what our sins deserve. He restrains evil, holds back sin and limits the extent of our pain. His gospel goes into places where they have turned their back on Him and yet He seeks the lost and desires that they come to Him. When they turn to Him, in His mercy, He offers forgiveness, restoration and eternal life. God showed mercy towards the children of Israel by rescuing them from slavery in Egypt, bringing them back from Babylon after 70 years of captivity and bring Jesus to reconcile us from our sins. When we repent and turn to Him, He gives forgiveness we do not deserve. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Amazingly God can forgive and remove our sins. I love the image in Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” I marvel at God’s mercy when you consider the greatness and power of God and His love and compassion towards us. Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”

Do you presume upon the mercy of God– thinking He will always be there, I can wait to ask forgiveness? Mercy and grace are closely related. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve and Mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve. Don’t take God for granted. When you see or experience God’s mercy in your life be thankful and acknowledge His forgiving and merciful character. Humble Anna waited patiently and God was merciful towards her by allowing her to see Jesus. God is merciful to each of us too, and we just need to open our eyes and hearts to experience his mercy.

Linda

God’s Grace in the Stable for Us!

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Today’s scripture reminds us of God’s infinite grace towards us.

Luke 2:6-7 “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.“

Why did I choose Grace as God’s attribute for this part of the Christmas Story? God is gracious and kind to those who do not deserve it. God longs to forgive His people, and reached out to us with the offer of salvation. God is compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. God shows grace to all people and gives good gifts even to those who do not love Him. He is the giver of life and brings families, sunshine, rain, music and hope to all mankind.

God in His grace brought Jesus into this world to save us from our sins and reconcile us to Himself. We did nothing to deserve this, but God in His love sent Jesus for us. Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He sent Jesus to live among us to we could know more about God and learn to trust in Him more fully. He did that even though we were indeed sinners without hope. When I think of his humble birth, in a stable, I am overwhelmed by His love for me. He came and lived here among us in our sin-filled world, suffered and died to I could live in faith believing and knowing His love and care.

God’s grace abounded towards Mary and Joseph that night. There were no rooms to be had but a stable was provided. They were warm and safe as Mary delivered Jesus. There was even a manger, cradle, for Mary to use. God was with them on the journey and was there with them in the stable. John 1:14 tells us Jesus was filled with God’s grace, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” That night in the stable, the grace of God came to us!

Where have you seen God’s grace in your life? Ephesians 2:8-9 gives us a place to start, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” and Romans 3:24 “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Martin Luther discovered God’s grace in Romans and transformed the thinking of His day. My faith and salvation are a gift I did not deserve them and are given by and through God’s gracious heart towards me. The hope we have in Christ is transforming and causes us to live for Him and with Him. In Romans 12:6 Paul reminds us that because of God’s grace towards us, He has given us gifts through His indwelling Holy Spirit, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.”

So how are you using the gifts God has given you through faith in Jesus? Are you seeking to use your gifts of teaching, speaking, writing, helping, carrying or counseling, etc. for His glory? When we use our gifts for His work He blesses us with his love and grace. John 1:16 tells us through faith we receive grace constantly from Him, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” God is constantly blessing us with his unmerited favor which is His grace.

As you go about this busy season, look at things more carefully and see where God’s gracious hand is upon you. It may be in a smile, a welcoming friend, a song, an unexpected gift, but we are blessed by Him each and everyday! God is with you in your ‘stable’ when there was no room at the inn. Rest in Him and know He is with you and loves you!

Linda

Justice, Eternal Hope and Righteousness

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Today’s promise looks to the future in various layers. Isaiah talks about “my salvation is on the way” which points to Jesus. “For the skies will disappear like smoke.points towards the end times. Even though we do not know specifics we can look at God’s promises and know that they will come true.

Isaiah 51:4-6 “Listen to me, my people.
    Hear me, Israel,
for my law will be proclaimed,
    and my justice will become a light to the nations.
5 My mercy and justice are coming soon.
    My salvation is on the way.
    My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.
All distant lands will look to me
    and wait in hope for my powerful arm.
6 Look up to the skies above,
    and gaze down on the earth below.
For the skies will disappear like smoke,
    and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing.
The people of the earth will die like flies,
    but my salvation lasts forever.
    My righteous rule will never end!

Promises: God promises to provide justice, salvation and unfailing righteousness through Christ Jesus and it will be for eternity.

Isaiah’s imagery is captivating as he describes what God will do. There is no doubt in his mind that God is capable and will fulfill His promises to the nation Israel and all future believers through his mighty arm of righteousness, Jesus Christ. In God’s time, He see this occurring speedily, and that we should always look forward with eternal hope. It is the hope we have in Christ that allows us to live each day looking forward to God’s promised justice, salvation and righteousness. A reason for our impatience is we desire to see things completed quickly. God’s ways are not our ways we are reminded in scripture. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” His timing is not ours either. 2 Peter 3:8 “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” While waiting for the Lord’s perfect timing, we need to wait patiently. Romans 8:24-25 “For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.“

What we know from these verses: God rules justly, God provides salvation through faith in Jesus, Jesus will bring justice to all nations, things of earth are temporal but things of God are eternal.

Lenten Reflections: Which of these prophetic promises are you looking forward to most? Where are you struggling with the difference between God’s timing and your own?

I am encouraged by these ancient verses from Isaiah. We know that God will provide and see us through to a time where His justice reigns and his unfailing righteousness is available to all in Jesus. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be assured of eternal salvation and a time of righteous justice for all.

Linda

Related Verses: Psalm 102:26-27, Psalm 45:17, Isaiah 30:18, John 3:16, Philippians 2:9-11

Nations as well as Individuals Can Seek Forgiveness

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There is a wonderful promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that was made to Solomon and the people of Israel when the temple was dedicated in Jerusalem. This ancient promise holds a principle that is just as true today for the people of God as it was then.

“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Promise: God promises to hear, forgive and heal me as an individual as well as collectively as nation if we will turn away from sin and pray.

This promise states the actions God needs to see from us. They are repentance of heart and deeds if we are to see a change in the way things are going. God was telling the Israelites that when things go wrong in the nation take a look and see what you are doing that is against my ways. Later the Israelites fell into idolatry and did not repent. They were chastised by God and take into captivity in Babylon but not before they had multiple chances to repent.

How can that apply to us today? God wants us to take a serious look at our actions. Are our ways wicked? Mark 7:21-23 gives us a list of unacceptable behaviors “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” The 10 Commandments in Exodus 20 list those essential things God desires in our behavior. I also like Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good;  and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,  and to walk humbly with your God?” All of us do some of these actions and when we see that the are getting the upper hand in our lives we need to stop and repent by humbling ourselves before God and asking His forgiveness. He promises us that He will hear and forgive us.

This applies to the individual as well as the nation. Have you thought of sins our nation has or is committing? We as a people of God need to repent and ask God’s forgiveness for the sins our our nation so that our land may be healed. This is on a big scale but yet follows the same godly principle of confession and repentance. God wants us to humble ourselves, let go of our pridefulness, our claims to be right, our arrogance and our selfishness. When we do, God promises to forgive and heal us as individuals and our land.

What we know from this verse: God is accessible and hears our prayers, God desires a people that are humble and seeking Him, God does not tolerate evil, sin, God is forgiving, God will restore those who seek Him.

Lenten Reflections: Am I approaching God with humility desiring His ways in my life instead of my own selfish ways? Am I faithful in praying for our nation?

I find great comfort in this promise in that God has given us a way to return to walking with Him. Repentance means to literally turn in the opposite direction away from the sin. When we confront our sin, we need to repent and turn to a new way. God promises forgiveness and restoration if we do. We are not lost in our sinfulness. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can receive forgiveness when I repent and so can my family or nation. That is true hope when living in a sin filled world.

Linda

Related verses: 1 John 5:14, 1 John 1:9, Colossians 1:13-14, Joel 2:25, Luke 24:47.

Dead and Buried- That is where my sins are! Thank you Jesus!

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This is one of my favorite promises that brings me great comfort. Micah 7:18-19

Where is another God like you,
    who pardons the guilt of the remnant,
    overlooking the sins of his special people?
You will not stay angry with your people forever,
    because you delight in showing unfailing love.
19 Once again you will have compassion on us.
    You will trample our sins under your feet
    and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

Promise: God will pardon my sins and throw them into the deepest ocean.

Those who believe in Jesus are counted as God’s people. God has treated us with forgiveness, mercy, unending patience, and constant love. In His compassion He sent Jesus to atone for our sins so that through faith in Jesus we can be reconciled to Him and stand before Him forgiven. He has thrown my sins and yours into the depths of the sea out of sight and out of mind. Without God’s pardon, I would be sentenced to death for my sins. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” As I ponder this, I am reminded of Romans 5:8 “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” John 3:16-17 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” God loved me while I was a sinner and in His great love He sent Jesus so we could be reconciled to Him. He graciously pardoned my sins, buried them in the depth of the sea and does not hold them against me. Amazing! He is indeed compassionate and merciful.

What we can know from these verses: God forgives completely, God pardons us from the death sentence that sin carries, God is merciful and compassionate, sin angers God.

Lenten reflections: What sins do I need to confess so that God can remove them from me? Have I considered His loving forgiveness and the difference it is making in my life? Am I thankful?

Perhaps you can see why I love this promise so much. God took me, who is a sinner, and has forgiven me and will not hold those sins against me. He is filled with grace and mercy towards me which I do not deserve. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am forgiven and my sins are completely gone by God’s grace. I am pardoned completely.

Linda

Related verses: Colossians 1:13-14, Romans 5:8, Romans 3:23, Psalm 103:8, Proverbs 6:16-19.

First Sunday of Lent 2025, Salvation-Thank You Jesus!

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Lent is a time of self-reflection and prayer. Each Sunday during Lent, I will post a passage that will hopefully turn your hearts towards Him in thanks. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, we can be eternally grateful and secure in our salvation.

Psalm 85: 7-9 Show us your unfailing love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation. I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying,
    for he speaks peace to his faithful people.
    But let them not return to their foolish ways.
9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,
    so our land will be filled with his glory.

 Acts 4:11-12 “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:7-9 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

John 10:28 is a favorite verse of one of my Sisters in Christ as it assures us that we belong to Him and NO ONE can remove us from His care and love. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”

Thank you Lord for sending Jesus so that we might be reconciled to you through our faith in Him. Thank you Lord for sending Jesus to redeem us eternally and make us his own. Jesus paid the price for my sins and I am eternally grateful. Amen.

Linda

Advent Day 18, Mary’s Reflections led to Worship

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Today’s Advent passage comes from Luke 1:46-55. Mary praises God for the blessing of being chosen to be the mother of the Messiah. This passage is known as the Magnificat, as it is Mary’s response of praise to God for His blessing. Marvel with me at the words Mary uses to describe God and His works in the world,

46 Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47     How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
    and from now on all generations will call me blessed. God’s blessing caused Mary to rejoice and marvel at being chosen.


49 For the Mighty One is holy,
    and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
    to all who fear him. Mary knows that God is mighty, holy, eternal, and merciful to those who know Him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
    He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
    and exalted the humble. Mary knows that God is sovereign over all, even princely powers.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    and sent the rich away with empty hands. Mary knows that God provides justly to all.

54 He has helped his servant Israel
    and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
    to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary knows that God keeps his promises.

If you were writing a song of praise to God, what would you include? Would you acknowledge His power over all things, His great provision for you, His character and how He has blessed you specifically? Mary’s praise starts with her own knowledge of God’s blessing. It has to start with us. We need to acknowledge His grace and mercy towards us and humbly accept Him into our lives. He has marvelous wonders to work in our lives as we submit to Him. Mary is our example.

May our praises this Advent season be reflective of His grace in our lives and reach to those around us.

Linda

Advent Day 3, Need Restoration? See Jesus.

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Today’s scripture is from Psalm 80:1-7 and 17-19. The Israelites are pleading with God, their great Shepherd, to come and rescue them.

Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock.
O God, enthroned above the cherubim,
    display your radiant glory
2     to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Show us your mighty power.
    Come to rescue us!

Just as the Israelites called upon God, the Shepherd of Israel, to show himself and display his radiant glory, we too can call upon our good shepherd to rescue us. John 10:10 and 14 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.’ ““I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,”

3 Turn us again to yourself, O God.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.
4 O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies,
    how long will you be angry with our prayers?
5 You have fed us with sorrow
    and made us drink tears by the bucketful.
6 You have made us the scorn of neighboring nations.
    Our enemies treat us as a joke. 7 Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.

The Israelites were feeling desperate and despairing. They were enduring scorn from their neighbors and enemies. They were feeling sorry for themselves and called upon the only one, Almighty God, the God of Heaven’s Armies who is greater than all, to look with favor upon them and restore them. The phrase “make your face shine upon us” is used 3 times in this short psalm. It is a plea for God’s favor and needed restoration.

Strengthen the man you love,
    the son of your choice.
18 Then we will never abandon you again.
    Revive us so we can call on your name once more. 19 Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.

The Israelites were seeking strengthening, revival, God’s favor and salvation. In return they are promising to not abandon their God again. After centuries of struggle with idolatry, upon retuning from their exile in Babylon they never again worshipped idols.

What are you seeking from God this holiday season? What type of rescue do you need? First and foremost, do you know Jesus as your savior? If you do then you are already rescued for eternity and forgiven. If not call upon Jesus and confess your sins to receive forgiveness and acceptance into His forever family. Life is complex and there are many struggles that we face that seem overwhelming. The Israelites knew this and pleaded with God to show them j His favor. Where do you need mercy and grace? Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” God is accessible because of our faith in Jesus and He is willing and able to help. Pray that Jesus will restore you this season and fill you with the hope of His restoration.

Linda