Isaiah 50:10 January 9, 2014

Marie Carlisle

Isaiah 50:10

"...the path you walk may be dark indeed, but trust in the Lord, rely on your God."

Background: Isaiah is generally regarded as the greatest of the (Old Testament prophets. Known as the messianic prophet, Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more than any other prophet. The Book of Isaiah was one of the most significant documents among those now known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

I have little doubt that among those who may read these words, there is even one who has not had to walk on a dark path at some point in his life. There are so very many events and circumstances that create those dark paths for us in our everyday lives. As I reflect on just the last ten years of mine, I recall some of my own "dark paths': health issues, professional disappointments, loss of family members and two close friends, witnessing the cruelty of humans, not only toward one another but also toward innocent creatures of God. Surely, you have experienced similar "dark paths" yourself.

How do we cope? How do we survive? How do we recover? The answer lies in the trust that we as Christians place in our Lord. God is always there with us, even along our darkest paths. We may lose sight of Him for a time, but He is there, waiting for us to turn back in His direction so that He can take our hands and lead us away from the dark paths into the light of His Kingdom. Of this, we may be assured, just as surely as Isaiah was so many years ago.

PRAYER: 0 God, who has been the refuge of my fathers through many generations, be my refuge today in every time and circumstance of need. Be my guide though all that is dark and doubtful Be my guard against all that threatens my spirit's welfare. Be my strength in time of testing. Gladden my heart with thy peace; through Jesus Christ my Lord.

- John Baillie, 1886-1960

Isaiah 43:19 January 7, 2014

Gloria Eberhart

Isaiah 43:19 (MSG)

"Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands."

Many people, including this writer, tend to be uncomfortable with change - something new and different. We're more likely to hold onto the familiar, even if it is not in our best interest, rather than embrace "a new thing." But, the passage in Isaiah tells us to be ready, to be excited and to trust God's goodness and mercy.

"A new thing," or something old done in a new way? God promised the Israelites that he would provide for them on their exodus from oppression by a new way. Now, as then, he assures us that past miracles are nothing compared to what he has in store for the future. Our challenge is to be open to new miracles and willing to follow wherever He leads.

Prayer: Release us, Father, from our attitude of "we've always done it that way" and open our hearts to receive "something brand-new." In Jesus name, Amen.

Isaiah 42:17 January 5, 2014

Tom Holder

Isaiah 42:17

"They shall be turned back and utterly put to shame—those who TRUST in carved images, who say to cast images, "You are our gods."  NRSV

I once saw a movie or TV production which featured, in part, a very young boy who had a very no-good daddy as a role model, yet the boy seemed to love the no-good daddy, idolizing and trusting him against all odds. In one scene the little boy was high on a ladder and showed a reluctance to climb down without help. When his no-good daddy saw his predicament, he called to the little boy, "Jump and I will catch you." The boy did but the no-good daddy didn't, allowing the little boy to fall flat on the ground. As the little boy began to cry the no-good daddy turned and walked away saying, "That will teach you never to trust anyone except yourself."

God has told Isaiah that He will make their way easy, turning darkness into light, rough ground level and guide them through it all if they will only TRUST Him and not rely on carved or cast images which will only put them to shame.

That same message applies today, still warning us not to TRUST the carved or cast images in our lives, which will only steal our TRUST and put us to shame. He has told us about THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT; now let us add TRUST to that list and leave our worries behind.

Isaiah 26:4 January 2, 2014

"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. "

Trust in the Lord. None of us would argue with that statement. We should trust God. Isaiah's words tell us to trust in the Lord because the Lord is the Rock eternal. When we think of a rock, it may be as small as a pebble or it may be El Capitan or Half Dome. Either way, what do we know about rocks? Rocks are hard. Some rocks are so big we cannot move them. Some houses are built out of rocks. Some houses are built into rocks. The Earth is sometimes called the third rock from the Sun. The rocks hold the secrets of the history of our planet. Rocks contain water and all sorts of other minerals. So what does Isaiah mean when he tells us to trust in the Lord who is the Rock eternal?

I think Isaiah is pointing us to the concept that God is eternal, unchangeable, immovable, and the only one worthy of our complete trust. Science has shown us that rocks are not eternal. Wind and water and the shifting of the earth are constantly wearing down the rocks that seem to be indestructible. Yet God is the Rock eternal. There is nothing in this physical world of ours that is eternal. There is nothing in this physical world that can hold our trust. God alone is trustworthy. God is the Rock Eternal.

Almighty God, thank you that we can put our trust in the One who was and who is and who is to come, the Rock eternal. Help us to trust you with our thoughts, words, and deeds so that we might let your eternal love shine through our lives. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.