So shall they fear
The name of the LORD from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
The name of the LORD from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
Isaiah 59:19
Thus says the Lord GOD:
“ Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations,
And set up My standard for the peoples;
They shall bring your sons in their arms,
And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders; .
Isaiah 49:22
Convict us if we think being a Christian is easy...because it is often very difficult actually, when we are trying to walk out Your word. Help us see that our reactions versus Spirit-led obedience are never justified...show us where we've gone wrong and turned from You. Remind us that it is never too late to make something right. Heal us from our backslidings LORD, and set up a standard LORD in every area of generational sin and the cyles and habits that go on repeating themselves to our detriment. Force us to look at the things our pride would rather deny than bring to the foot of the cross. May we see that our own denial, avoidance and superficial tending to things requiring deeper attention are the very things that keep our healing "slight" and the circular pattern locked.
We are betrayed...and we betray.
We are wounded...and we wound.
We are treated insensitively...and we are insensitive.
We are judged...and we judge.
We are rejected...and we reject.
We are gossiped about...and we gossip.
We are excluded...and we exclude.
We are treated unkindly...and we are unkind.
We are taken advantage of...and we take advantage.
We are slandered...and we slander.
We are treated with impatience...and we are impatient.
We are served bitterness...and we serve bitterness.
We are ignored...and we ignore.
May we not deny our feelings but acknowledge them and come to You for truth, healing and comfort so that we can break free of the cycles that enslave us. May we see that the key that unlocks our chains and interrupts the pattern is Your unchained Word. May we be willing to admit and bring our pain to You.
Set up a standard LORD so that we do not continue in and lead others into captivity based on our own wounded-ness, but so that we will able to respond in ways that the chains that go 'round and 'round our feet, hands and neck - are broken, and we are able to move out of vicious cycles of pain and forward freely into Your places of promise.
Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem.
Sit in a place of honor.
Remove the chains of slavery from your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.
Sit in a place of honor.
Remove the chains of slavery from your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.
Isaiah 52:2
So that,
when we are betrayed...we choose to be loyal.
when we are wounded...we comfort and heal.
when we are treated insensitively...we ooze compassion.
when we are judged...we love without condemnation.
when we are rejected...we live with open doors and open hearts.
when we are gossiped about...we protect each other's reputations.
when we are excluded...we become thankful and even more secure in You.
when we are treated unkindly...we lavish love.
when we are taken advantage of...we become known for our integrity.
when we are slandered...we edify and encourage.
when we are rushed...we are careful to be patient.
when we are served bitterness...we serve joy to overflowing.
when we are ignored...acknowledge another's significance and worth.
What a difference it makes to look into Your face LORD, when in looking to
one another's we can only see our own pain reflected back...but when we
look to You, we see peace and a better, higher way...a way that has already been
paved and wrought with the precious blood, sweat and tears of Jesus...a way that
leads us into the everlasting...healing our wounds and calming our fears.
Thank you for setting up a standard LORD and thank you for the gift of salvation.
Open our eyes to see how often we break Your heart when all You want to do is heal ours.
"Stop! In the name of love...
Before you break my heart...
Think it over."
Lyrics from The Supremes
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? [Romans 2:4]
ReplyDeleteThank you for this beautiful piece that challenges us to live reflective, honest, surrendered, holy, repentant lives...And most of all, it challenges us to love extravagantly - May His kindness turn us to repentance.