Today’s Nourishment: Isaiah 5-8: Isaiah, a prophet who warned Israel and Judah of their fate, watched Assyria capture Israel as they turned a deaf ear to his prophecies. Isaiah also warned Judah of God’s coming judgment. He introduced the Messiah as “God with us,” who would be “bruised for our transgressions” and “by His stripes, we are healed.” The Messiah pointed to Christ and His kingdom where an eternal peace that never ends settles within His kingdom people.
Chapter 5: Isaiah warned that the vineyard of the Lord would see destruction because of sin and idolatry. He relayed the message, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings.”
Chapter 6: Isaiah received a vision from God where he saw his sinful self as the tongs on the altar of God cleansed his lips.
Chapter 7: God sends Isaiah to King Ahaz (descendant of a king of Judah) with the message, “God is with you” and will be the One who will come and take your place as the sacrifice.
Chapter 8: Isaiah warns of the coming Assyrian invasion.
Today’s Nourishment: “God is with us” (Isaiah 7:14). I call this “keeping company with Christ.”
Nicolas Herman entered a monastery an uneducated household servant after converting to Christianity. He spent his life as a kitchen cook and dishwasher to live, while keeping company with Christ. Today we know him as Brother Lawrence. When he died, friends compiled his journals together as a book that is known as “The Practice of the Presence of God.” The seventeenth century book is believed to be the most widely read book in history besides the Bible. An uneducated man simply wanted to practice, “God with us” and keep company with the Lord.
Only a few days ago, I had a meltdown while dealing with medical insurance issues. I heard within me, “I am with you,” knowing the Lord was speaking. I have consoled my soul with these words since then. Now, to find that this is the scripture passage that I am to blog about speaks volumes to me, “God is with me.”
It was Isaiah who said in Isaiah 53:5, “By His stripes (this word is related to fellowship) we are healed.” We could say it like this, “By fellowship, keeping company with Jesus, we are healed. As we practice His presence, reminding our souls that “God is with us,” we are healed–and I believe that is for body-soul-spirit healing.
How do we practice and live “By His fellowship we are healed, “God with us,” or “keeping company with Christ?” Reminding our souls of this throughout the day helps us practice His Presence:
- In small portions of the day: “God is with me.”
- When I awake: “God is with me.”
- When I go about my day: “God is with me.”
- In my pain, sorrow, troubles, and fears: “God is with me.”
I challenge you today to keep company with Christ and practice, “God is with me.”
Tomorrow’s Delight: Amos 1-5
Carolyn Marlowe
www.alivebyhisword.com
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