I Can Finally See

They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so they cannot comprehend. Isaiah 44:18

Until God opens our spiritual eyes, we cannot see or comprehend the truths of His Word. Concepts stay out of reach. Understanding remains a mystery. It is like looking at a book written in a language you have not learned yet. God must intervene before His truths can be digested.

I look at this passage in Isaiah 44:9-20 with amazement. It is entitled "The Folly of Idolatry." It goes on to describe a person who makes his own idol and then worships it. He does not even question the foolishness of this. It is an idol he has made and yet he worships it and prays to it. I imagine people who came out of idolatry to know and serve the living God were incredulous that they ever worshiped the idols to start with.

If I could write a chapter about my blind days it would be entitled "The Folly of Legalism." Legalism is defined as "strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code that restricts free choice." I was not walking in freedom as long a I felt God's acceptance of me was determined by my standard keeping and performance. It wasn't working for salvation per say. It was working to somehow become acceptable to God and to be loved by God.

During that time, God's voice was not discernible to me, His Word was not appealing to me, and His work in my life was not evident to me. I could work, keep my list of duties, and live under the burden of perfectionism but it never brought me into a friendship type relationship with my Creator.

I had resigned myself to the fact that life would always be like that. God would always be my task master and harsh judge. From day to day I felt the condemnation of His disapproval. It wasn't until God removed the veil from my eyes, mind, and spirit that I could see my own faulty thinking and gain a hope that things could actually be different for me.

That was two years ago this month. I do know this ~ now that I have tasted of true freedom and caught a glimpse of what God is really like, I hunger to know more! The old way no longer appeals to me.

Father, You knew the day You would give me the gift of spiritual sight and understanding. I marvel at what I see now! Thank You. Amen.

A Blind Comparison

Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous? Matthew 20:15

We do not always appreciate the generosity of God…..especially when others are the recipients. One quick read through of Matthew 20:1-16 reveals an aspect of human nature that is uncomfortable to admit for oneself. The parable is told of a landowner who hires men to work in his vineyard. Some are hired first thing in the morning and others throughout the day all the way up to the last hour of the day. The first to be hired agree to work for a denarius. This was the usual pay for a day’s work. At first they were content with the idea but by the end of the parable they are grumbling and accusing the landowner of unfairness because he had the “audacity” to give everyone the same pay whether they worked all day or just one hour. Their comparisons to others, false assumptions, and lack of appreciation for generosity robbed them of joy and contentment.

The thing about the parables Jesus gave is they have a way of becoming a mirror for us to see ourselves. Sad to say, I can relate all too well to the feelings of the group that worked all day. If given the same circumstances in my life I would probably respond in the same way. We have a scale by which we weigh and measure the things in life and we mistakenly think God has the same scale. We cannot fathom the depths of God’s grace and the heart of His generosity.

When we live our lives comparing ourselves to others in the area of health, marriage, finances, friendships, gifts, talents, opportunities, positions, possessions, and popularity we set ourselves up for dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and even anger. We are fine as long as things seem even or if we are a little ahead of everyone else. But when another individual receives something we don’t have or is given an opportunity we do not get we can be filled with jealousy. I would venture to say this can even be a problem among ministries.

Yet, my perspective of this parable changed when the author, Phillip Yancey, pointed out the necessity for us to see ourselves as the workers who were called out to the vineyard during the last hour of the day. It is then that I realize God has been extravagant with His generosity to me in multiple ways! May I know that He has NEVER short changed me.

Father, Your generosity leaves me in awe! Amen.

God's Declaration Over Us

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! Isaiah 43:1

Ever hear a child yell out, "That's mine!"? They are passionate about their possession. Saying "That's mine" is their way of declaring ownership, desire, and longing for a certain object. Two things are certain....the object is theirs and they will not share it with another ~ at the moment anyway. There are only a few reasons they claim it as their own to start with. They found it, they made it, they bought it, or they received it as a gift. Whatever the case may be, they KNOW that they KNOW it is theirs!

I find such security in God's declaration pertaining to His people...."You are Mine!" As I slip my name into this verse I am filled with a sense of awe. I am embracing the truth that God not only claims me as His own but He is passionate about it. He gives two reasons for His possessiveness ~ He created me and redeemed me.

I remember the first time someone shared with me the idea that God not only loves me but pursues me in order that I would come to know Him. He wooed me to win me! I still cannot fully grasp that wonder. This morning I hear Him speaking this verse into my heart and over my life. He is speaking in hushed tones and with gentleness. I picture myself as a small child, sitting on His lap. One arm holds me while the other smoothes back my hair. My spirit is warmed as the words sink in. Knowing that I belong to Him makes me feel safe.

He calls me by name. He not only knows my name ~ He uses it when He speaks to me. May I ponder all of this throughout my day. It leaves me feeling cared for, wanted, and cherished. His personal touch and undivided attention arrest my heart.

My response back to Him is, "Yes, I am Yours." In the awareness of that, I can now serve Him, obey Him, and love Him because I am His.

Father, You have reached me at the core of who I am today. I receive Your words and Your embrace. Amen.

To Go Without

He gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and becomes weary. Isaiah 44:12

Our physical bodies need sustenance on a daily basis. As we expend energy in any number of ways we use up what has been stored in our systems. Once it is used up it cannot replenish itself ~ it must be replaced. If we go for too long without taking in more food and liquid our bodies suffer for it.

A while back I learned this lesson first hand. I was in need of God's intervention in a mighty way. I had fasted before but this time I looked to the fast Esther called for...a three day fast without food or water. The first day went fine as my body just lived off stored up nutrients. The second day, I felt a bit shaky but nothing serious. It was the morning of the third day that my body finally crashed. I ended the fast after 52 hours. I felt very weak, light headed, and extremely nauseous. At first I thought I could just take in water but I felt worse. So I decided to give my body what it needed...food.

Here is what surprised me. Although I ate food and drank liquids the physical weaknesses lingered for 3 more days! On that third day God began to show me the spiritual ramifications and similarities.

I must daily take in my spiritual food. I do this through reading God's Word, journaling, praying, fellowship, etc... If I don't meet with God for one day I won't necessarily feel the effects. A second day is a little more noticeable ~ as the spirit weakens the flesh seems to gain strength. By the third day I am in a starvation mode and my spirit crashes.

The remedy is to take in the Word and living water. But just like in my experience with the fast, my spiritual condition may continue to lack strength for a few more days. In a sense, I need to replenish my spiritual reserve. So often I could not see this principle. I'd get discouraged when I wasn't immediately strengthened again. I see now there is a process.

Fasting is a Biblical concept and has many rewards. The spiritual insights alone are astounding. At the same time, God's Word and prayer are not what we as believers should fast from. Yet that is exactly what we do when we skip this precious time. Like physical food, our spiritual intake needs to be continual.

Father, You offer me a banquet every day! Your invitation to "come and dine" is so lavishly given. May I hunger and thirst for You daily! Amen.

A Captive Set Free

For now I will break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. Nahum 1:13

Ever feel like your life is under someone else's control, manipulation, or influence? Ever feel like some habit has you in its grip? Nothing leaves us more defeated then when we are held captive by strongholds. It can be a person, a habit, a generational bent, a thought pattern, or strong desires that rear their ugly heads.

We hear a lot today about addictions. Something that has a grip on your life of which you are not free. I use to buy into the lie that certain things would always have me in bondage. But today, Scripture reminds me that God is still in the business of setting captives free. It is not His desire that I stay bound. As I raise the shackles of my life to Him, He not only possesses the key to unlock them, He takes them away and destroys them. Their presence and effect on me need no longer hold sway.

Every day can be an emancipation proclamation from those things, attitudes, and people who have me enslaved....or rather that I have voluntarily put myself under their control. May I be honest enough with myself and God to admit my bondage and addictions. May I be willing to confess any known sin that feeds the stronghold. And may I allow God to do His work of freedom and restoration in me. The truth does set me free indeed!

God, You alone can help me live in freedom. I come to You. Amen.

Darkness Into Light

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, in paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do and I will not leave them undone. Isaiah 42:16

There was a time I walked in spiritual blindness and darkness. Before accepting Christ, I was blind to God, His Word, and His gift of salvation. My only Bible knowledge was that God had created the Heavens and the Earth, and that Adam and Eve were the first two people whom He created. That was it! I could not have told you anything about Jesus and what He did on the cross for each of us. I could not have told you a book of the Bible, the name of a person from the Bible, or the simplest Bible story. However, once I accepted Christ, I began reading the Bible and a whole new world was opened up to me.

Thirty years later I found myself with spiritual blindness and darkness once again. Although I knew many stories and principles from Scripture and I knew Jesus as my Savior, my Christian life was empty and what I believed about God was distorted. I could not walk in joy and peace when (to me) God seemed like a harsh judge with folded arms and One who tolerated me more than loved me. I feared Him, seldom read His Word, and sporadically prayed. From time to time there were brief moments of spiritual highs but they did not last.

I was blind to God's love for me. Blind to the fact that His love was NOT dependent on what I did. Blind to seeing His heart in Scripture. Blind to true freedom in Christ. Blind to living my life daily connected to the heart of God. The day I began to learn and embrace the truth about God and the Christian life was the day I sensed God's leading and guiding in my life. The light came on and the terrain changed.

Meeting with God each morning is now a high-light of my day. Prayer is now a conversation that runs both ways. Opening Scripture is now looked forward to and regular. My identity is found in Christ and I am guided by His Spirit instead of a list of do's and don'ts. My eyes have been opened as the "scales" of legalism have fallen. My hearing is no longer dulled to the voice of God.

Father, this is what You have always wanted for me. I am not the same person I was two years ago. Continue to do Your work in me. Amen.

Feeling Like I Belong

This one will say, "I am the LORD'S," and that one will call on the name of Jacob; and another will write on his hand, "Belonging to the LORD," and will name Israel's name with honor. Isaiah 44:5


It is important to not only know who we are but also to Whom we belong. We live in a fallen world where some nations are ruled by tyrants and dictators. They are known for their cruelty, harshness, bondage, and greed. Their subjects are wanted only for what they can contribute. Worth and value have to be earned but are not permanent. They can be replaced at any time and rarely get a nod of approval.

Some animal owners are known for their cruelty as well. The pets are not cared for, talked to, enjoyed, or loved. Neglect and shame are the "blankets" they curl up on.

Some employers rarely acknowledge a job well done. Compliments are unheard of while condemnation and criticism abound. Workers strain under the weight of disapproving stares and cold shoulders. Encouraging words would go a long way!

The list could go on and on. As you ponder the people whose authority you are under and you look at the kind of leaders they are, you either smile or groan. But in today's verse I can sense the joy and security that abound as people proclaim who they belong to! Scripture is full of God's character qualities that leave us feeling very much loved and cared for.

God is shown as a loving Father, a tender Shepherd, a solid Rock, a safe Shelter, a compassionate King, a close Friend, a triumphant Savior, and a protective Brother. When life gets hard and no one seems to be able or willing to give you what you want or need, it is imperative to look to your Restorer, Redeemer, and Reconciler. His internal work in you starts a chain reaction that is incredible!

Father, may I learn to truly brag on You. May I proclaim with passion that I belong to You! Amen.