Today, my roommate had us wake up at 5:45 AM for daily bible reading, devotionals, and prayer. You know, quiet time kind of stuff. Actually, he had himself wake up, because, for anyone who knows me, 5:45 is ridiculously early, even more so because the Residence Hall and Floor meetings went well into the night. But, as we set our alarms, I knew that I too should be up to begin my day in fellowship with the LORD through prayer and reading of His Holy Word. Having a quiet time is a habit that has not been strongly developed by me but that I recognize needs to occur for the deepening of my faith.
And so, I did it. At just before 5:45, because his clock was fast, we were up (actually, being lofted, we were up all night, so I guess I should say we were now back down on ground level) and he was quickly into Scriptures, having his routine very set. I, on the other hand, was a little unsure what to read. I like opening the Bible at random and reading what perhaps the LORD is saying to you, but, to ensure the devotional aspect of my morning, I got “THE ONE YEAR BIBLE” off my bookshelf (New Living Translation, organized by daily readings rather than books) and turned to September 8.
The Old Testament readings for the beginning of September moved quickly through the end of Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, although I didn’t experience that first hand this year. I actually thought I might be reading from the Song of Solomon today, but that finished yesterday and today was visions from the prophet Isaiah. At first that disappointed me; as a song writer and as someone who can appreciate romance, it’s always an interesting splash of color in the middle of the proverbs and prophecies. But, I turned out to be pleasantly surprised and challenged by what I read today. Here’s a glimpse:
Isaiah 1:19 – “If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat.” Not only did this strike me because it’s morning and I’m hungry for breakfast, but also in terms of the absolute providence promised here so simply. What you do: obey the LORD. What is promised: plenty of food. Physical nourishment in abundance because of commitment to following the will of God. This should encourage everyone in that they don’t have to worry about their physical needs, because God has the power to provide and will. See also Matthew 6:25-34.
Isaiah 2:5 – “Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” This was just a great sounding verse. Something every believer could say to each other as encouragement. There are many parallels between the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and today’s church, because of the similar favor that rested upon Israel in the Old Testament, and now is extended to the believers in the New Testament. This verse then, is a giant sized encouragement to fellowship and discipleship [Let us (fellowship) walk (discipleship)] and the picture it paints, walking not in darkness, but in God’s light, is a telling metaphor for how we should live.
Isaiah 2:17-18 – “Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down. Only the LORD will be exalted on that day of judgment. (19) Idols will completely disappear” Reread verse 19. Whoa. Keeping in mind Isaiah 2 is an end times prophecy, isn’t that a great thing to look forward to? Idols completely disappearing! No more will the man-made things be an obstacle between man and God, but in the final days we will all meet Him directly, with no distractions, as the glory of His majesty shakes the earth (v. 21).
The New Testament readings from the second epistle to the Corinthians were also exciting to read.
2 Corinthians 10:13 – “We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.” We will boast ONLY about what has happened in the work God has given us. Quite a thought, because men can so often boast in things of this world that fade away, but we can and should only boast in the work that is being done through us to guide our fellow man to eternity. As Paul quotes from the book of Jeremiah, we should boast “only about the LORD.”
My time to write is short, but I will leave you with this parting verse from my reading in the Psalms today: “I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.” – Psalms 52:9
September 8, being the day before my birthday, is always pretty great, and, being that today is the last day of my childhood, I could say it might even be special. (What day at Spring Arbor isn’t special, though?) But whatever today brings, I am leaving this mark in cyberspace to say how God touched me, where I was, in the morning, in the quiet where His voice could be heard above the noise.