This verse speaks of restoration and mercy as God, Himself, takes on the role of Shepherd…rescuing His flock from neglect and cruelty. Jesus spoke of this deliverance in the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:3-7…of leaving the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Have you been wandering aimlessly…searching but not knowing what you’re searching for…feeling lost, desolate, and empty? Well, I have some good news for you, the Lord is actively searching for you also…ready to bind up all your pain, calm your fears, and embolden you to be courageous and take steps to change your life today for the better. The void you’re feeling deep inside is God calling to you, plain and simple. So end your search today, for God promises He will never stop searching for you.
Category: Daily Inspirational Devotional
Galatians 2:21 ” I don’t set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the Law, Christ died for nothing!”
It’s only by the grace of God that we have been set free from the condemnation and compulsion of the Law, filled with its impossible obligations and demanding obedience. But we can’t really blame the Old Testament Law but rather fault our inability to achieve it. “Is the Law, therefore, opposed to the promise of God? Absolutely not! For if a Law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the Law.” (Galatians 3:21) Righteousness comes from faith, or as Romans 3:27 tells us, “Where, then, is boasting? It’s excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the Law? No, but on that of faith.” Or as verse 22 in this Chapter states, “Righteousness comes only from God through Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Our right standing with God could never come from a Law of works, but only from the graciously given Law of faith in His Son, Jesus Christ…Who fulfilled all the Law’s demands and bore its curse on the cross for us.
Isaiah 40:18 ” To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare Him to?”
“There is no one like the Lord our God.” (Exodus 8:10) And to try to compare Him to the gods of other nations…or even to the gods within our own hearts is ridiculous. That’s because they are all but idols and have no real existence or power. In Genesis, God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” But there too we are but a shadow of God’s true power, sovereignty, and might. Bottom line is, God is incomparable and matchless…or as Hannah prayed in I Samuel 2:2, “There’s no one holy like the Lord; there’s no one besides You; there’s no Rock like our God.”
Isaiah 40: 6,8 ” A voice says, ‘Cry out.’ And I said, ‘What shall I cry?’ ‘All men are like the grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our Lord stands forever.’ “
All flesh is like the grass of the pasture or the flowers of the field…it is but temporary, its glory fleeting. When Isaiah asked, “What shall I cry?” He was given these examples to show just how limited and momentary our lives are in light of the everlasting and ever-continuing Word of the God. Isaiah’s message then was one of the Lord’s judgment and blessings, which were declared before the beginning of time. We are also to receive the Scriptures as the inspired Word of God…not manipulating it to fit our own agenda, or accepting bits and pieces while rejecting the rest. The Word of the Lord stands alone and stands forever.
Genesis 9:12-13 ” And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.’ “
God’s binding agreement with Noah here was the first Divine-human covenant. God’s eternal promise of never again destroying the earth by flood was symbolized by the brilliant rainbow in the sky. And even to today when we see that rainbow in the clouds we are reminded and assured of His promise, His grace, and His Words, “Never again.”
Acts 12:7 ” Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ He said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
King Herod had already killed the Apostle James, and when it seemed to please the Jewish leaders, he arrested Peter with the intention of executing him also. The night before Peter’s trial we find him sleeping between two soldiers, bound by two sets of chains, with sentries standing guard at the door. But none of this could stop God from rescuing Peter by sending one of His holy messengers. The glory of the Lord shone softly in the darkened cell as the angel jabbed Peter out of his slumber and told him to “Get up!” At that the chains fell from his wrists…and he walked free. So remember this, no matter how dark it is, how stark the situation, or how desperate it may all seem, God can rescue and free you from your chains. “He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.” (Psalm 116:16)
Ezra 7:6 ” Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well-versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.”
The hand of God, or the favor of God, is powerful assistance and/or deliverance we should never take for granted. For as responsible Christians, His blessings can always be traced back in our actions to His sovereign actions. When God’s hand is upon the situation He will cause even non-Believers to be favorably disposed towards what we ask for…think of the Israelites asking their Egyptian masters for articles of silver and gold in Exodus 12:35-36. In this verse Ezra asked the king for many things…including provisions for the Temple, and the administration of justice in the area…and the king granted Ezra everything he asked for. God’s providential control will give success to all our endeavors when His hand is upon us and we are in the center of His Will…for our good and His glory.
Genesis 15:18 ” On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.”
God had given Abram (Abraham) and his wife Sarai (Sarah) vision and a great promise, (Genesis 12:2-3) and had reiterated it again in Genesis 15:5, “Look up into the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can…So shall your offspring be.” But in her impatience, Sarai, tried to move the divine promise along more quickly than how it was transpiring. Sadly, her plan ended with strife and her actually blaming God and her husband for the situation she had gotten herself into. On the other hand, rather than listening to God and trusting in His timing, Abram listened to his wife and his own carnal fleshly nature. And when everything hit the fan and their grand scheme backfired in their faces, Abram passed the buck rather than take control of his household. (Genesis 16:6) Anytime we try to “help God” or run ahead of His plan, it won’t end well for us. That’s because God’s timing is always perfect…despite what we think.
Luke 3:21-23 ” When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are My Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased.’ Now Jesus was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph.”
Both were fathers of Jesus, but in very different ways. Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father, He was his offspring only legally and socially. And even though initially Joseph was ready to reject his pregnant wife-to-be Mary for infidelity, through a dream he accepted his role as earthly father to Jesus. But Jesus was also the Son of God…His One and only Son…a precious, beloved Son…chosen to save the world from sin, and “in whom My soul delights.” (Isaiah 42:1)
II Timothy 2:13 ” If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”
The strength of our faith fluctuates with every situation that comes into our life. Depending on the circumstances, our faith can grow because of it, or waver from doubt and disbelief. But this verse tells us that even when we are faithless, God remains faithful to us. Romans 3:3 goes on to say, “Will our lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” Our unbelief doesn’t void God’s promises in His Word to us… He keeps them regardless…for He is a promise-keeping God. But the bottom line, Praise God, is that our salvation doesn’t ultimately rest on our faithfulness or lack there of, but rather on the perfect faithfulness of the Lord…for He will never fail.
Safetypinlove 