Thursday January 20, 2022

Today is Thursday, January 20 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about breaking ground.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I calm my thoughts and silence my mind. I breathe deeply and slowly, and center myself upon the presence of God.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, in these first fifteen minutes of my day, I long to experience your presence. Come Holy Spirit, reveal how you want to break new ground in my life. Enable me to hear the unique message you have for me in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

I praise God for his provision and rejoice with the words of Psalm 104.

All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. Psalm 104:27-30

Pause and Pray

The people of Israel long to go home. They were conquered, captured and exiled to Babylon for sixty years. They want to go home to Zion, to Jerusalem, their homeland, the holy city of God. Through the prophet Isiah, God continually promises they will go home. Finally in 537 B.C., King Cyrus of Persia, after conquering the Chaldean empire, releases the Israelites and sends them home. Thousands of people begin the near 800-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. This is the journey to the Promised Land. In Isaiah 55, Isaiah describes this journey. It is a festive procession with rejoicing in every step. As the people walk, the surrounding landscape comes to life in celebration. Land that once was desolate flourishes. Broken ground brings forth new life. The Word of God comes down from heaven like water or snow and remains until it fulfills its purpose, bringing new life.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever. Isaiah 55:10-13

The word of God is powerful, for by it God created all things and cares for his creation. God’s word is fruitful and does not go forth without producing transformative results. God’s word is groundbreaking. It has the capability to bring significant changes into my life. God’s word brings refreshment, renewal, and new life. I flourish and am fruitful. God’s word does not return empty but accomplishes what God desires in me and achieves the purposes he intends. I discover renewed joy and peace. The earth celebrates the beauty of what God’s word produces in a fertile heart, places where the ground is ready to receive him. God’s word is Jesus – the Word of God made flesh who came to live among us (John 1). God’s Son comes down from heaven into my world and remains until his purpose is fulfilled. As a follower of Jesus I also have a purposeful journey. The word of God lives in me and I respond with actions that love and transform the world.

Ask: Is the soil of my heart prepared to receive the transforming word of God? How do I welcome the word of God to turn over the soil of my soul and accomplish God’s purposes in me?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, send forth your word into my life. Accomplish in me what you desire and achieve the purposes you have for me. May your word bring beauty and blessings into my life, and renew my soul. I ask for your joy to overtake me and your peace to fill me. May goodness and righteousness grow in my heart. Let love overtake any remnant of thorns or briers in my soul. I read the words of Isaiah again and listen for the message you have for me today.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever. Isaiah 55:10-13

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 from Isaiah evoke in me. God wants to speak to me about a specific situation in my life. I ask myself how the image, word or phrase that stands out to me informs my current circumstance. I question how well I welcome the word of God to enter my mind. What barriers prevent God’s word from truly breaking ground in my soul? I consider what God might want to accomplish in me or my relationships. I ask what God desires most for me and wonder what purposes he intends to achieve through his word working in my life. I envision myself on a journey to the Promised Land. I walk with companions in the faith, longing to go home at last. Nature bursts forth all around me. The thorns and briers of suffering, sadness, fear and loneliness are gone. I hear singing and clapping. There is celebration all around. The landscape buds and flourishes as I rejoice.

Pause and Pray

I praise you most loving God. I invite you into my heart and ask that your word make its home in me. Break up the stubborn resistant ground of my soul and prepare me to receive the blessings you have for me. Thank you for your Son, Jesus, your word incarnate who lives, reigns, loves, leads and abides in me. I welcome Jesus into my life anew today. Amen.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:7-8

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I invite the transforming word of God into my life and seek opportunities to transform the lives of others.

Amen