Monday January 22, 2024

Today is Monday, January 22 and we are finding delight in God’s Sabbath.

As I enter a time of solitude with God, I sit quietly and still my mind. I breathe deeply in and out and center my whole being on God’s presence. I seek to learn how God wants to bless me in the practice of Sabbath.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I delight in your presence, I rejoice in your loving kindness, and I celebrate your goodness. I want to learn your way of living in this world. Teach me the rhythm of life you designed for your creation and help me find Sabbath rest in your love. Amen.

In the quiet dawn of a new day, I seek God with the words of Psalm 37.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

Pause and Pray

Isaiah spoke to a people who would soon return home following decades of exile in Babylon. They faced the enormous task of reconstruction of their devastated homeland. The aftermath of the exile meant Israel’s restoration. All the members of the community were invited, equipped and enabled to join in the rebuilding of what was destroyed. This restoration brought hope. It glorified God and blessed the people. At the end of chapter sixty one, Isaiah proclaimed God’s favor for the people.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:10-11

The exiles were restored to their homeland and they rejoiced. They delighted in the God who brought them home and healed their land. I also delight in God. My soul rejoices because of my salvation in Jesus Christ his Son. I imagine being clothed as Isaiah’s descriptive words suggest. Despite my past sin and stubborn rebellion, God treats me like royalty. I am a precious son or daughter. It is as special as when a bride or groom is prepared on their wedding day. I am clothed in a lavish garment of salvation. I am draped with a bright robe of righteousness. I am adorned with extravagant jewels and crowned with a sacred head dress. Delight and praise sprout as a garden in the springtime.

Ask: How would I describe my delight in God’s presence? How do Isaiah’s words describe God’s delight with me?

Pause and Pray

Holy and blessed Lord, I delight greatly in you. My soul rejoices and I cry out in praise and thanksgiving. You have clothed me with salvation and grown me in holiness. I have new life and new hope because of your loving kindness and providential care. There are no clothes, no crown, no jewels in all the world more precious than the love you offer through your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. I read the words from Isaiah again and listen for the message you have for me.

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations. Isaiah 61:10-11

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

I consider the emotions this passage evokes in me – do I feel loved, valued, cared for, and treasured by God? I listen with the ear of my heart and consider the specific circumstance that this passage most informs. What is God trying to tell me about myself in relation to a particular situation? Perhaps God wants me to find delight in my quiet Sabbath times alone with him or maybe God wants me to know how much he delights in his love for me. How does the knowledge of God’s love for me make a difference in how I approach my upcoming day? How might I find delight in loving others?

Pause and Pray

Come, holy and loving God, I revel in the delight of your presence. Renew and restore me in your loving kindness. I rejoice in the joy of my salvation in Jesus Christ and the beauty of holiness your Holy Spirit has grown in me. I pray that others will get a glimpse of your goodness through me and I might reflect your light in a dark and dreary world. Amen.

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

I leave this time of prayer reminded of God’s love for me. I go to love and serve others in the name of Jesus.

Amen