Wednesday September 15, 2021

Today is Wednesday, September 15 and this week we are exploring how restoration changes lives.

As I enter this time of prayer, I calm my mind and quiet my heart. I breathe deeply and slowly. I focus and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

I am here to receive a word from you, Father God. Speak to my heart and mind in the name of Jesus Christ. Come Holy Spirit, help me to understand the message you have for me today. Amen.

Today I celebrate God’s goodness with the beautiful words from the Song of Solomon.

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit: the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Song of Solomon 2:11-13

Pause and Pray

Centuries before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of the promised Messiah. Isaiah’s words describe the fulfillment of this prophecy like the glory of springtime and the blossoming of the parched desert after the Spring rains. When the Messiah comes the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will leap and the mute will shout for joy. All that was lifeless and barren will burst into bloom and flourish with vitality. What is weak will be strengthened and what is afraid will become courageous. This prophecy is fulfilled in the coming of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, lepers are cleansed, the lame walk and the dead are raised (Matthew 11:5). Good news is preached to the poor. Peering through this lens, I read the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah.

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:1-6

On a hot day in the middle of September in Texas, it is difficult to remember the formidable ice storm, frigid temperatures and frightening days of power outages endured last February. In the dead cold of winter, it is normal to long for the days of Spring. Both Solomon and Isaiah utilize images from Winter and Spring to establish a contrast. The wilderness of Winter, the parched barren land of the desert is replaced by something beautiful that causes people to rejoice. Flowers blossom, doves coot, and trees are laden with fruit. The coming of God is like the coming of Spring. The coming of the Messiah is the ultimate restoration.

Like Solomon and Isaiah, I am aware of barren, cold, winter places in my heart and in my life. Within me there are places of brokenness, spaces of dryness, an emptiness that compares to frigid winter. Some might compare the season of Covid-19 to a long hard winter that has kept us isolated, afraid and alone. In a way, the experience of the last 18 months felt like a long emotional and spiritual “winter” season.

Ask: Can I name the winter places of my heart and life? What does the coming of Spring represent for me today?

Pause and Pray

Holy God, in my wilderness places, I cry out for your promises. Let me see Your glory, show me your splendor, come, Lord Jesus. Where my hands are feeble, give me strength. Where my knees give way, help me to stand firm. I look for Your promises to be revealed in my life and Your blessings to bring me restoration. I read the words from Isaiah again, listening for your words to me today.

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:1-6

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

When I spend time with the words of Isaiah, I ponder what God is revealing to my heart. What do the images of the parched desert and wilderness land represent in my life right now? What emerges from the cracked earth and bursts into bloom like the early Spring crocus, promising more blessings to follow? What will gush forth in the wilderness and bring new life to my lonely barren places? What part of my life needs strengthened and restored, like knocking knees and feeble hands? What does restoration look like in my life?

Where I am afraid? What do I fear? I name my worries and fears before God, one by one, big and small. I listen to the words of Isaiah, God speaks these words over me, He calls my name and says “(My name), be strong, do not fear.”

Pause and Pray

Almighty and Powerful Lord God, I invite You into my circumstances. You already know where I am weak and weary. You see everything that makes me afraid. I place my fears and worries in Your strong hands. I set down the burdens I have been carrying and allow you to shoulder them. Reveal Your glory, Lord, answer my cries and grant my petitions. Renew me in Your love. Amen.

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. Hosea 6:3

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I go refreshed and strengthened through the power of God. My fears relieved, show me how I can relieve the fears of others in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.