Text: Isaiah 33:1-24, Isaiah 34:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 12:28-29
I can hardly read the headlines without my heart feeling like it will fall out of my chest.
A local family is torn asunder by an abuser in their midst. Someone in the city has acted on their perverted sense of justice and gone on a violent rampage. Systemic evil is evident everywhere—in the courts, on the streets, in the schools, at the market. Idolatrous liaisons with demons incite entire people groups and nations to war with each other, stealing resources, asserting their superiority, and annihilating fellow divine-image bearers. Painful truth bursts out of the darkness and into the light, breaking hearts and dissolving trust. Destroyers, traitors, and betrayers swarm like locusts.
How much more of this heart-wrenching, stomach-turning news can we take? And this is only the news we are aware of in our limited perspectives.
Our world today is not unlike Isaiah’s. We are not unlike the sinners against whom the prophet declared God’s judgment. And so we echo Isaiah’s cry for mercy:
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you.
– Isaiah 33:2
Our waiting is not in vain. Centuries pass through the annals of time, but God remembers every moment. Millions upon millions of people have walked this earth, but God knows every hair on every head. God hears the ground cry out—satiated with the blood of people whom He created in His own image. He will rise up and punish His enemies.
Destroyers, traitors, betrayers, the godless—tremble before the Lord. Hear what He has done, and acknowledge His might. He will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. There will be no escape for those who hate the King of kings.
But God offers amnesty to His enemies. His Son came as our Deliverer.
As Isaiah promised, the day of vengeance is coming when the King returns as the judge. His judgment is just and pure; He is not partial. Yet He is full of compassion and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6). His faithful love is evident throughout the Old Testament, generation after generation, and displayed in full in the person and sacrifice of Christ.
Oh, that we would look to the cross and behold our King in His beauty today! Take up your role as an ambassador and plead with your friends, your loved ones, and yes, even those who hate you, to gaze upon Jesus, our Deliverer. “Today draw near. Today give attention. Today hear! For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
This news, too, is overwhelming. But it overwhelms me in a different way. I can almost feel my heart leaping for joy out of my chest! I still wonder how this can really be, this gospel news that seems almost too good to be true. But the Good Shepherd says, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Behold the King in His beauty. Tremble before the Lord who is a consuming fire, and worship Him.
Gloria Furman is a wife, mother of four, cross-cultural worker, and writer. In 2008 her family moved to the Middle East to plant Redeemer Church of Dubai, where her husband, Dave, serves as the pastor. Gloria is the author of Glimpses of Grace, Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full, The Pastor’s Wife, and Missional Motherhood.
Leave a Reply
84 thoughts on "The Lord Rises Up"
So good to read these Words and reflect on our Lord with you, sweet Gloria!
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our tGod is a consuming fire.” As many times as I’ve read these verses in Hebrews, today they hit me in a new way. I love that God continues to use scripture to reveal different things to us! It really is the living Word of God!
http://www.littlelightonahill.com
Praying for you, Emily. I have 7 angels in heaven but praise the Lord, two blessings on Earth. Old hymns and new songs of praise and worship day after day brought me through. I had to trust and rely in Him and his timing. He will never leave or forsake you. You are never alone.
thank you Cathy. I can’t imagine going through this seven times but what a testament of His healing in your heart. I appreciate your prayers and understanding!
I have struggled with anxiety for many years but the past few months have been the hardest. An evil thought came into my head and I can’t shake it. This will probably sound silly to some but I was fearing that the devil will somehow take over my mind or something. I have been praying everyday and asking God for peace and comfort, but sometimes I cannot feel him. I feel like God is angry that I do not have enough faith and trust in him.. I know deep down he loves me but I just want to stop feeling so insecure. Sometimes when I read the Bible I just get so overwhelmed because I cannot understand it and that scares me too because I know the Bible is supposed to bring peace. Prayers are appreciated!
Praying for you, Megan! Asking the Lord to grant peace and understanding. Grateful for you.
– Stormye
Megan, I know how you feel. I didn’t struggle so much with anxiety as I did depression. I had horrible thoughts come to my mind about my life, who i am, and everything that surrounded me. Thoughts that i could never imagine having again. It was a very long process to get through and a journey that came with many obstacles. It lasted years for me but I pushed through and with the help of God, I overcame it all. I wrote about this in a post and If you’d like, you can read it. I hope it may give you some insight and know that you are not alone my darling https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1648564041824138&id=100000116739105&set=t.100000116739105&source=42&ref=bookmarks praying for you!
You’re not alone, Megan! Praying for you.
Praying for you. The enemy loves to fill our head with doubts and fears. Remember Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us. He loves you deeply and unconditionally.
I struggle with anxiety, too. I’ve started praying Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting you” in the moments when my anxiety kidnaps my emotions and tries to take over my thoughts. I know I can tell myself that Truth doesn’t change; even when I don’t “feel” like something is true, it still is. God has done all our work for us (Isaiah 26:12) and He gives us faith (But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:13-14) Dear Sister, the war against our flesh is real and frustrating and feels overwhelming, but our good, loving Father is making us new! If you ask Him to teach you to trust, He will. Your struggle doesn’t take away His love. You are His daughter and He delights in you. I’m praying that you feel His love and that He sends you peace. I’m also praying that His rich gospel truths grow deep roots in your heart so that, in times of stress an anxiety, you will know that this is a temporary trial God is using to call you to trust Him. The Spirit who promised to be our comfort and peace is faithful; He will comfort you. Praying, Sister.
I’m praying for you, Megan! What helps me is to remember that God has already conquered evil. I remember my pastor saying that we should run from temptation; we don’t need to fight it because Jesus already fought sin and won.
Thank you for your honesty and bravery,
Holly
Sometimes God gives us battles that we will not see the end of in this life. It’s frustrating and difficult to hear, but sometimes our anxiety is something that God is going to let us keep fighting for the rest of our lives. And he IS right there with us. Even if we don’t feel him. I haven’t FELT God in a few years now. I’m still not sure what is wrong. But I’ve decided that since it doesn’t seem to be going away, my job now is to walk in faith and keep showing up no matter what.
Thank, I needed to read this comment.
As someone with similar struggles I want to encourage you to remember that God may answer your prayers through the people in your life. If you haven’t done this yet, I would encourage you to talk to a medical professional.
I will be praying for you. I know it can be hard to feel understood. When you know the thoughts are irrational or overblown but you can’t stop them from shouting in your brain.
Depending on the situation there may be ways to help that stop and clear the clutter so you can focus on your real struggles in a productive way.
there’s a great book called “understanding scrupulosity” that I highly recommend for exactly what you describe. I have come so far in 10 years following its advice. I also say this phrase: “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me, a sinner” and focus on each part of the sentence a little at a time.
I’ve struggled a lot with anxiety. Something the Lord spoke to me to do when I was anxious or fearful was to speak his truth. Sometimes literally say it aloud to myself. When I fear I won’t have enough money, I speak God’s truth- God will supply all my needs. When I fear my health is getting worse- I speak that God is my healer and so on. It has really helped. And when I don’t know God’s truth for a certain anxious thought, I can go to His word and find what He says. It’s been really helpful. I’m praying you can find a way to have peace!
From a fellow Megan who has anxiety– just lean on God. I have had a devil worshipper praying against me for almost a year now and that’s when it started. The panic attacks. Sometimes I can’t feel God I feel like. But then when I search for him I feel closer than ever. It’s a long and difficult road, but we have a big God. God who is good. I will pray for you, and know Jesus loves you always! 1 Peter 5:7, Joshua 1:9, John 10:10, and there’s another good verse in Matthew 6. :)
Megan, I know exactly how you feel. I will be praying for you. I second the notion of going to see a professional. If you are able to find someone who specializes in Christian counseling, they will be able to tie in the Word with what you’re going through. You are never alone! God bless you.
Praying for you.
These Scriptures and the devotion remind me again of the importance of being balanced in reading the Word. God’s righteous wrath is countered by His limitless compassion. His judgment is tempered by justice and mercy. The harshness in Isaiah is balanced by His offer of reconciliation by repentance. He keeps His Word and that is a great comfort. That is our hope in these difficult and last days.
“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:2
I miscarried our 9 week baby last night after much prayer and weeping. My heart is so broken, but this verse brought comfort I needed when I woke up. He is my strength. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” has been on my heart since yesterday and reminded me of this verse… “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Great is thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me”. I would so appreciate your prayers!
Praying ❤️
I am praying that the Lord brings you comfort and hope.
thank you
Oh Emily, I’m so sorry! Praying for you right now and I’ll continue to throughout the day!
Praying peace and comfort over you right now. May you feel His arms of love wrapped tightly around you today.
Praying for you Emily!
Lifting you and your family up in prayer. I’m so sorry!
Emily,
May the Lord give great comfort in your loss. We understand and grieve with you. ❤
Emily, praying for you right now. Asking the Lord to continue to bring that bright hope to you in this heartbreaking time.
– Stormye
Oh Emily, I’m so sorry and grieve with you! Will pray for you and your heart.
Emily, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby. I am praying for you! May our Lord Jesus hold you extra close during this time of pain.
Emily, I am so sorry. Praying that the Lord brings you much comfort and strength!
Praying for you, Emily. So so sorry to hear this news.
praying <3
I’m so sorry Emily. Praying for you.
I have been there, and I am praying for you today, Emily.
“Blessings” by Laura Story was one of the songs that spoke greatly to me during that time.
thank you so much. I will look it up!
Oh, Emily….I do pray for you and my heart weeps with you as I just walked this same path with my daughter and son-in-law. Allow yourself time to mourn your loss and give each other grace as you go through this time. Curl up in the comfort of Jesus’ arms and just be held. Lastly, remember the basics of your faith. Do you remember the childhood song from Sunday School, “He’s got the whole world in His Hands”? This brought such comfort to me…”He’s got the Little Bitty Baby in His Arms”. Jesus IS HOLDING YOUR BABY right now! He’s also got “the MAMA AND THE DADDY in His Arms”! Love and prayers to you, sweet Emily.
I am praying for you and your family right this moment. May God give you hope in Him and trust in Him because of His character. I am so very sorry.
Jesus, you are my righteousness. In You alone do I put my trust!
My waiting is NOT in vain! Thank you Jesus. Thank you!!!!!!
http://www.in-due-time.com
Amen!!!
I have the tendency to struggle when I watch the news, just story after story that deal with loss, depraved crimes, heart-breaking incidents that make you feel so impotent. It’s almost as if the news is being used to take away people’s hope… but then I realized, I can allow all that I’m witnessing to motivate me in making some sort of change, in creating something that could bring a little hope to the lives of others. That’s what I’m focusing on now and with that realization, I finally discovered what I wanted to do with my life. I, not only want to create a haven and bring hope to those who need it, but I want to share what God has done in my life and how much our lives change when we finally accept Him. I want to expose Him in His true light and if I get a couple of people who want to choose to follow Him, than I know I was meant to be where I am today.
I do not spend enough time in the Old Testament but I love this passage from Isaiah! Particularly the reminder in 33:5 “…he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness” and again in verse 22 “…the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us”. No matter how hard we try or how much we trust the good work of other people, the only one with the power to save is Jesus Christ. And Jesus does not want to save some – he has come to save us all :)
It was a hard past two days of crying…and trying to catch up in my schoolwork…but I think God is telling me that I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to let go and rest in Him. Even in the hard times! Especially in the hard times. He always has a plan.
Ps I’m so excited to get a SRT Bible!!! They look so pretty!!!
Albeit temporary, the world is our home. It’s natural to feel stress about the goings on of our planet. My prayer is that our Heavenly Father blesses the women of SRT, women who yearn to care for their families and the broader community, with the strength and discernment to be in the world but not of it. To walk in the light of God’s will. To be a living sacrifice. To rest confidently in the truth that the world, in all its tragedy and beauty, sits in the palm of our Creator. We need not fear. We need only abide in Him and His word. God is good. Amen.
Finally, a passage full of hope & encouragement from Isaiah. When we are trouble, God is there. He knows and He will help. I have a new prayer every morning: “Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble.”
Thankful for his unending grace while we wait for him!
I’ve been doing 2 a days until I’ve finally caught up with you ladies. I started late but I’m finishing strong! ❤
You got this, Kacy!!!
Wow impressive Kacy! Isaiah is hard to get thru daily! And you did double!!!
This just proves how timeless the Bible is. No matter how many years ago it was written. Absolute truth. Father God, thank you for your Word. I ask that you would be gracious to us.
amen to that!
Thank you for this!
Isaiah is showing me Gods strength is huge and powerful, his justice is grand and his plan was the only way. Some of this feels heavy, scary, overwhelming and repetitive but if I’m honest it will take all of this to understand that God gets our world, how hard and heavy it can be, and what need there is for him to take it away and fulfill a great void which is our sin.
I agree. Scary and heavy and rocking my sense of love and peace. I think it’s necessary but I can’t deny that it is hard for me to read morning after morning.
Reading this on the bus, the day after attack on London, while passing the building that were raided last night in Birmingham in relation to London attack, this scripture seems really relevant and timely!
Thought also about the attack and killings in London as I read this message…
God be gracious to us..
God be gracious to us…
Stay safe, learning to float.. blessings. X
my thoughts too x
This crossed my mind as well ❤
does anyone else sometimes struggle with the fact that one HAS to feel really sinful in order to experience the joy of God’s love? Sometimes I don’t feel terribly wicked to be honest. Therefore I sometimes find it hard to be overwhelmed by God’s love like the author of today’s deviotional puts it..
Me too, me too! I know I am, but I don’t feel it. Either the wickedness or God’s love. I don’t know the solution either, apart from seeking to know Him more and reminding myself of the truth – He really does love me.
me neither
Peanut cheese, Morning!
God’s love is not dependant on things we do sinful or otherwise… we do not earn it, nor do we gain it… He gives it freely… Jesus has paid OUR price…
I think when we sin, and repent, repent being the operative word, we are drawn closer, in that we know the wrong we have committed, ( not dissimilar to the man on the cross next to Jesus )and how bad we feel, so the feeling of forgiveness from the Heavenly Father and His love is all the more sweet.
I have known Gods love and presence and joy, not because I have been ‘wicked’ but in my brokenness, my lostness, my weakness…. (2 Corinthians:9)
You are right, We recognise and witness it more when we have sinned, because our default tells us we cannot be forgiven, that we will be judged… this is not so with the Father, He loves, He loves, He loves…., always …
His Joy, His Grace, His Love is not earned, Peanut Cheese, claim it today… ask Him, talk to Him, He will not disappoint.
Praying you have a most wonderous meeting with the Lord God Almighty today and in the coming days…
Love, hugs and blessings dear Peanut Cheese.
You ARE really sinful, whether you feel it or not. Pride and self-sufficiency are sins, too. (This is coming from a “goody two shoes,” mind you.) It took me a long time to understand that just because I didn’t “break the rules” doesn’t mean I am sin-free. Sin is sin to God, and whether you tell a little white lie, say mean words to intentionally hurt someone, covet a neighbor’s new car, or commit murder, you are a sinner. ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God. There’s no way you can get into heaven on your own, and God’s love for us is so strong that He let His own Son die to save us! That is overwhelming love!!!
I understand and relate to what you are saying. I have noticed over the course of many years that I am much closer to God when I focus on His greatness rather than on my need – even on my need for His mercy and grace, because ultimately it’s not about me. Too much of our church experience these days is focused on us and how God meets our needs – which He does. I feel so much closer to the Lord when I sing things like How Great Thou Art – Holy, Holy, Holy – Our God Is an Awesome God. The words from today’s reading that really struck me are : “For the Lord is our our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.” If I focus on who He is I can’t help but see how small – and sinful – I am.
Jesus is so good! I have struggled with the same issue about not seeing my wickedness (or lack of it) and not experiencing the overwhelming joy of his love. Even though I know that I love him and I know he’s there and I talk to him all day every day. Thank you ladies for all your comments! Before I set down to read SRT this morning I was asking God to show himself to me and to be close because my heart was seeking his presence and that “feeling” I was missing and he did just that! Through your sharing and His Word he has made me realize it’s not about me and how I feel but it’s about Him and Who He is! Sometimes we, I, forget that. Thank you ladies for your comments and thank you Jesus for knowing what we need to hear and how we need to hear it because your desire is for us to be close. Then as I searched more He led me to Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart (He becomes the desire of our heart!). How awesome is that! God is so good!
I needed that reminder, “Not about me, it’s all about him…thanks Tina.
Thank you for that reminder. Just what I needed. Have a blessed day.
So so true! I think we all need this reminder!
I understand what you are saying and have felt that way myself. When I look at God and His holyness and then my life and even though I’m not sinning in big huge go-to-prison ways, every day I sin. I have judgmental thoughts, I yell at my kids, I’m envious of my friends life. I am a broken sinful woman BUT I am a saved-by-grace broken sinful woman. When I take my eyes of myself and what I did or did not do as well as not comparing myself with others sin, and look to the Perfect Holy One, I see my brokeness and true sinful state. Hope that makes sense and that you would feel God’s love in a very real way today. Don’t trust your emotions and feelings. Trust His word and His promises! ❤
Tina I think you said this so well….Peanut Cheese I have felt/thought much of the same sentiment over the years. Truthfully it hasn’t been until this past year that I think I’ve started to experience God’s everyday, always present love. The shift came when I started understanding my brokenness….my pride in trying to mask that I wasn’t actually broken. My sin of morality (Biola University lecture series on Spiritual Formation by John Coe explains this SOOOO well!) where I thought I was a good Christian because I did all of the right things; I was more focused on appearing like I loved God than actually loving Him. It’s when God opened my eyes to all of that within me that I started to understand, know and experience His love, mercy and grace in new, bold, colorful ways. I encourage you to pray that God reveal your brokenness to you. What’s amazing is He won’t overwhelm us all at once. He pulls back the curtain of our souls inch by inch as we are ready.
Beautifully said. Also for me, the past 2 years, learning to spend time in His presence has changed ME. I see His hand, hear His voice more clearly. I see His direction and even correction flowing from His extreme and passionate love for me. It took being a Believer for 28 years or so before I realized the importance of significant time spent alone with Him. (And I’m only 36!). I pray more of our sisters will have this same experience. Our world is changed when we are truly different & set apart by our Savior.
Beautifully stated. Thank you Audrey!
Love your comment peanut cheese! It sparks reflection and thought! I so agree with the other ladies, particularly Tina and Audrey. I pretty much thought I was doing all the right things, and then God revealed that sometimes I let my ego turn me into a mess. No one has ever called it out before because I don’t think I actually verbalize my ego a lot, but it’s there. And if it goes unchecked, those thoughts can wreak havoc in my life.
Then I realized that ego stems from not understanding how to truly love myself. And then, through SRT, I realized I didn’t have a complete understanding of how to love God as well. Then I realized they’re pretty much one in the same. When I spend this quality time with God and carve out a consistent section of my day to hang with him and learn about him, that time is a form of self care as well. I recently started up doing yoga again and I use that practice as a way to spend time with him too.
Anyway, I don’t constantly condemn myself everyday either, though I do reflect on ways I could have done better. Conversations with others that could have been more loving. Things like, did I really have to share that one detail about my ex with my friend? Did I reaalllyy have to share it? And then I go to God with a sorry heart and ask for forgiveness and help with doing better.
But even before I got to this point, I used to (and still) feel God’s love in gratitude. Taking a moment and truly reveling in all the things he’s done and given even though I don’t really deserve any of it. When I think about all the goodness, all the joy, all the ways he’s brought me out of bad situations, all the laughs, how he’s saved my tail on numerous occasions, how he’s walked me through fires of my own creating, his patience with me, and yes, my awesome plum/orchid duvet cover that I scored off Etsy that I’m currently cozied up in right now, I. Feel. Overwhelmed. With. Love.
Amen, Lana! So with you. I’m overwhelmed more and more each day by His unmerited mercy and grace and provision! Well said:)
I’ve felt that way too. And I think for me personally it has a lot to do with my pride- something I’ve always struggled with, a root of other sin problems. I think that if I payed a little more attention to staying humble it would help this too. That’s jussi me though
I can completely relate Peanut Cheese (and I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who can relate in reading through the other replies!). Sometimes I catch myself feeling like I’m just going through the motions without any sort of actual attachment to the Lord, as if I’m just talking to the ceiling because it’s what I’ve decided to do each morning. I think I’ve found that the thing that helps me the most is talking to other people about the ways I’ve seen God be faithful in my life. And sometimes I don’t even have something that I can point to that was recent, but it’s as if just saying it out loud to someone else reminds me how good God is and that He is REAL and powerful and present in my life. It’s the same for me when I have had opportunities to share the Gospel with someone, as if sharing the Good News with someone else helps solidify it in my own heart. I’ve compared it to when you tutor someone in a subject and as you tutor and teach them, it becomes more ingrained in your own mind and you become more confident and sure of what you’re sharing. I’m just so thankful that God’s goodness and love is not dependent upon my emotions! I’m just praying for an opportunity to talk about Him today!
Interesting point! I have also experienced how full of passion about God’s love I can become when talking to non-believers
This is such a good and honest comment. Personally, I think you need to do a lot of self reflection and really know yourself to know where you are broken or sinful. For me, it’s really the revolutionary love of Christ that is there regardless of how well I do in my life that shakes me deeply. This is big news to a type A personality where everything else is measured by achievement in my life. Knowing I can stop and breathe and that my value as a human is based on something out of my hands is amazing news. The other thing that really brings it home for me is the admonition to love your neighbors as yourself and really see God in everyone. I am not great with people and I’m quick to judge and I struggle a lot with loving people I don’t like. It’s only through God that my weaknesses here become clear and his forgiveness so critical because otherwise it would be tempting to just give up and rest in my misanthropy.
I don’t remember if it was from a podcast or earlier in this study, but I was encouraged to pray regularly that God would convict me of my sin. I know it’s there… even if it’s not big, or glaring. I know I fall short every day… in not being patient with my kids, turning to the world for comfort instead of him, wasting time on social media instead of spending time with God. It’s been a challenge – but I am continuing to pray that through this exercise God will deepen my relationship with Him.
It’s so refreshing to know that we have sisters struggling together to know and love God well. So grateful, again, for this honest and loving community!
Wow I just wanted to look quickly before going to bed whether I received any responses and I’m really overwhelmed by the amount of recognition from others.
There’s a lot I could say and ask in response to all that, but I’ll try to take in all stories at witnesses to inspire my faith in God.
I do want to say though that I know that I sin every day in words, thoughts and actions and that I myself am part of the brokenness that destroys societies around the world. However, I don’t really feel the ‘contrite spirit and the broken heart’ (Ps 51) on a very regular basis. Also I don’t think that is really what God needs. Because then again we are trying to earn our grace (by focusing on ourselves and our feelings of guilt). And several ladies have pointed that out for me, too, thank you!
So let me end with one short question then: what does God’s/Jesus’s love ‘feel’ like when sin is far, far away? This might be more of an Easter question than a Lent question, yet I’m asking: can we experience God’s love without having to focus on our sinful nature, because Christ was RISEN FROM DEATH?
Again, thanks for all of your witnesses.
Love, in Christ
I really needed this reading today. I’ve been away from God for so long and I am crying after reading His words to us. Thank you so much for helping me in opening my heart back up to him.
Praying that this is just the beginning of a deep relationship with your loving Father!
Kat, so encouraged by your words. Grateful that we have a God that opens hearts to Him. Grateful for you!
– Stormye