Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
July 28, 2024
Isaiah 43:14-21
14 The LORD your redeemer, the holy one of Israel, says, For your sake, I have sent an army to Babylon, and brought down all the bars, turning the Chaldeans’ singing into a lament. 15 I am the LORD, your holy one, Israel’s creator, your king! 16 The LORD says—who makes a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and battalion; they will lie down together and will not rise; they will be extinguished, extinguished like a wick. 18 Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. 19 Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness. 20 The beasts of the field, the jackals and ostriches, will honor me, because I have put water in the desert and streams in the wilderness to give water to my people, my chosen ones, 21 this people whom I formed for myself, who will recount my praise.
Good Morning! It is a great day to praise God!
Past: Present: Future
As youngsters, we have little past to consider, we are living in the present, and we look forward to the future when we can do great things.
As we age, this progression changes, and we start to build a past. Our past can help us avoid things that have caused us problems, but we can also put up barriers that stop forward progression based on those problems.
If we have a bad experience with someone or something, does that mean we should forever avoid that person or thing? That idea sets us up for failure for both our earthly and heavenly future goals. The more horrific the bad thing, and the longer we avoid addressing it, the more fear we accumulate.
By the grace of God, God sees beyond our past and looks to the future beings that he created to represent goodness, joy, and love. When we repent of our sins, God wipes the slate clean and speaks of it no more.
Hebrews 10:17 And I won't remember their sins and their lawless behavior anymore. 18 When there is forgiveness for these things, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Brothers and sisters, we have confidence that we can enter the holy of holies by means of Jesus' blood, 20 through a new and living way that he opened up for us through the curtain, which is his body, 21 and we have a great high priest over God's house.
Loving God, Thank you for creating us. Help us to let go of past things that keep us in the pit of despair, and focus on your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: With God guiding us, we have hope for a better future.
Toss away your fear and look to the future! Pastor Liz
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