Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
December 22, 2021
Read Isaiah 41:1-10
1 Be quiet before me, coastlands. Let the nations renew their strength. Let them approach and speak. Let’s draw near for a judgment. 2 Who has awakened one from the east and has authority to summon him to serve giving him nations, conquering kings, making them like dust with his sword, like scattered straw with his bow? 3 He pursues them and passes untouched, needing no path for his feet. 4 Who has acted and who has done this, calling upon generation after generation since the beginning? I, the LORD, was first, and I will be the last! 5 The coastlands see and fear; the ends of the earth tremble; they draw near and arrive. 6 Each helps the other, each saying to the other, “Take courage!” 7 The craftsman encourages the metalworker; the one who smoothes with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “That’s good,” and strengthening it with nails so it won’t move. 8 But you, Israel my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, offspring of Abraham, whom I love, 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant; I chose you and didn’t reject you”: 10 Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.
Good Morning! Fear not, the Lord, Our God is with Us!
During these last days of Advent, I am choosing to step out of the busyness of the last few days. This Advent season has been very special for me as I have shared Christ’s love with my friends and family. But now, as the song says, the shopping, decorating, and cooking are done, and I can take time to slow down and hear, see, and feel God surrounding me. The last couple of days before Christmas are perhaps some of the most precious days of the year for me.
I want to share a God moment with you. When my family gathered together the other day, Alex said that he wanted to share a song with me that he really liked, and he thought that it would be good for me to sing titled Slow Down. I commented that I knew an “old” song from my younger days with that same name. It took a couple of days, but I pulled up the link that he shared, and immediately smiled because this “new” song was my “old” song based on Psalm 46:10 written in 1975 by Chuck Girard. It’s been a while since I sang this, but I’ve sung it so many times that my heart was warmed just listening to it sung so beautifully. I love those unexpected miracles that bring us together as God’s children.
God chose us and we choose God. 10 Don’t fear, because I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will surely help you; I will hold you with my righteous strong hand.
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. May we give ourselves the gift of time as we approach the birth of your Son. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Today I will look for God’s unexpected miracles.
Slow Down and experience God! Pastor Liz
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