Friday, June 11, 2010

Isaiah 58:13–14

'Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don't pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the LORD's holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don't follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the LORD will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

One aspect of honoring God is keeping the Sabbath—letting go of our own pursuits for one day per week in order to focus on God. It's not a matter so much of what we do or don't do; it's a matter of a heart turned toward God, to delight in him. Notice "delight" is mentioned twice in two verses. The Sabbath is meant to be a gift for refreshment. Honoring God in this way opens us up to his rich blessings. Try it!
Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Isaiah 58:10–12

Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The LORD will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes."

God wants us to be agents of blessing in this world, especially to those who are less fortunate. Is there any way that you can ease someone's burden today? Pray for an opportunity to do it. Then look for God to bless you. As you do good, you will be blessed with goodness. We get watered too, as the healing streams run through us to others.
Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Isaiah 57:15, 18-19

The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this:
'I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.
I have seen what they do,
but I will heal them anyway!
I will lead them.
I will comfort those who mourn,
bringing words of praise to their lips.
May they have abundant peace, both near and far,'
says the LORD, who heals them."

God lives in a high and holy place, yet, incredibly, he invites the humble and repentant to be there with him! And he refreshes those who repent with assurance that they are forgiven and welcomed. If there is anything you need to repent of today, do it now. Confess to God. Let him forgive and heal, comfort and strengthen you. Clearly he desires to!
Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions