Opperation: Bunny Ears
(At the Clothing Bank)
Saturday, February 26, 2005
Dipping Into the Word
"Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the LORD, have created it" (Isaiah 45:8).
Salvation came a while back. It's still knocking, too. When it came it came with such a humble entrance, sound words, self-sacrifice by the carpenter called Christ, and by the "first fruits" of His life by conquering death. And by my study here, He continually mention the coming of salvation to the people of Israel; an overwhelming gift of joy was decreed, that all men, "the nations," would be blessed, "Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation..." (v. 17). At this point the context is pointed towards Cyprus, "whose right hand I have held," said God. "I even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me" (v. 4).
We were all lost; every one of us was uttering alone. Those who have yield their lives back over to Yahweh are indeed blessed because they have recognized that their reasoning won't show them joy, happiness, of life for eternity. I know there are many here in the world of men who zealously believe that the pursuit of happiness is what matters. "It's whatever that makes you happy," the overly sympathetic friend tells his chum. "It's all about you." Oh, will you not ever look at yourself in the light? Truthfully, are you that good? Gals, when all is said and done during the day, when you're home and all free of make up and formality (in any form), when you've cleaned up your face, when your peach, olive, black, brown, tan, or white skin is bare of all dress and pleasantries, do you think of what is real? Men, when all your successes have brought you to the end of the night, when no one pays you any mind, and all your certificates and plaques with snappy slogans and quite astounding victories are the only things looking back at you before you close your eyes to sleep, do you wonder if this is all there is? Or do you carry the thought for a moment, toss it away and say aloud in the darkness of your room, "At least I'm happy now"?
Dipping into the Word, something has just put itself to my attention. It faces the hope that one can look upon with the focus on the Living God.
"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Are we nothing if we have no souls? Simply pieces of wasted products of chance? John Cage, the "chance" musician didn't take the concepts of hollow art into his daily routines. The man frequently consumed mushrooms of the mind-altering kind, saying if he randomly selected any species of mushrooms like he practiced his theory about life in his music (that all is chance and meaningless), then he would die very quickly. There is no hope for the idea that all is nothing and, for he who believes that indeed is but a shell of a man, with no joy to come--no reward to enjoy. And greatness is soon lost through the generations. You may know this, that a dead emperor cannot stand up, conquer or rule.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the LORD, have created it" (Isaiah 45:8).
Salvation came a while back. It's still knocking, too. When it came it came with such a humble entrance, sound words, self-sacrifice by the carpenter called Christ, and by the "first fruits" of His life by conquering death. And by my study here, He continually mention the coming of salvation to the people of Israel; an overwhelming gift of joy was decreed, that all men, "the nations," would be blessed, "Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation..." (v. 17). At this point the context is pointed towards Cyprus, "whose right hand I have held," said God. "I even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me" (v. 4).
We were all lost; every one of us was uttering alone. Those who have yield their lives back over to Yahweh are indeed blessed because they have recognized that their reasoning won't show them joy, happiness, of life for eternity. I know there are many here in the world of men who zealously believe that the pursuit of happiness is what matters. "It's whatever that makes you happy," the overly sympathetic friend tells his chum. "It's all about you." Oh, will you not ever look at yourself in the light? Truthfully, are you that good? Gals, when all is said and done during the day, when you're home and all free of make up and formality (in any form), when you've cleaned up your face, when your peach, olive, black, brown, tan, or white skin is bare of all dress and pleasantries, do you think of what is real? Men, when all your successes have brought you to the end of the night, when no one pays you any mind, and all your certificates and plaques with snappy slogans and quite astounding victories are the only things looking back at you before you close your eyes to sleep, do you wonder if this is all there is? Or do you carry the thought for a moment, toss it away and say aloud in the darkness of your room, "At least I'm happy now"?
Dipping into the Word, something has just put itself to my attention. It faces the hope that one can look upon with the focus on the Living God.
"For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing,And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).
Are we nothing if we have no souls? Simply pieces of wasted products of chance? John Cage, the "chance" musician didn't take the concepts of hollow art into his daily routines. The man frequently consumed mushrooms of the mind-altering kind, saying if he randomly selected any species of mushrooms like he practiced his theory about life in his music (that all is chance and meaningless), then he would die very quickly. There is no hope for the idea that all is nothing and, for he who believes that indeed is but a shell of a man, with no joy to come--no reward to enjoy. And greatness is soon lost through the generations. You may know this, that a dead emperor cannot stand up, conquer or rule.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).
Friday, February 25, 2005
Almost Hired
"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring unto you judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,If it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
Almost hired. I received a call from the recruiting office telling me where and when to go to Multi-Care health clinic for my physical and drug screening. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Daily I must keep the desire to serve him in my heart, pressed against the wiles of idleness in mind and bodily exercises; taking the chance to "step out" as a friend of mine recently encouraged me to do. I wish for the ways of my heart and the sight of my eyes to be able tools for the God who judges both open and secret works of man, good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14), that my youth would be a most cheerful passage into adulthood and a fond memory to seek inspiration and gladness from in the future. I stumble and trip over the sorts of snares which pervade a young man's life, such as pride and lust, envy, and laziness, but I thank the Lord that He cares for me, the bruised up, banged up sinner who has regularly proved that he is not perfect in the sight of God. But, Father, keep me in your ways. I write continually of patience and the worth of it, so please, guide me in my own persistence in this war for right actions.
As for the man who has wrinkles, permanent blue bruises on his skin, with calluses on his worn out hands, he looks back with a smile, looking back on the back-breaking work he has done in his almost centennial length of life, and his splendor is in his gray hair. He lived through it. Many a man has done that, I think, looked back and smiled; maybe a smile of ease is not expressed, but the sort of smile of laughter, of an inside joke, that makes an appearance on the aged brows of many men at the end of their life. God's calling His men out of the cities, out of the countryside, out of the ghettos, out of the farms, out of the town houses, and out of the bungalows to do His work. Am I one of those men? Yes, I am. I am hesitant? Naturally, at first, but I dare not think about running or sailing in the opposite direction as Jonah has done.
"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11).
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring unto you judgment" (Ecclesiastes 11:9).
"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory,If it is found in the way of righteousness" (Proverbs 16:31).
Almost hired. I received a call from the recruiting office telling me where and when to go to Multi-Care health clinic for my physical and drug screening. Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!
Daily I must keep the desire to serve him in my heart, pressed against the wiles of idleness in mind and bodily exercises; taking the chance to "step out" as a friend of mine recently encouraged me to do. I wish for the ways of my heart and the sight of my eyes to be able tools for the God who judges both open and secret works of man, good or evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14), that my youth would be a most cheerful passage into adulthood and a fond memory to seek inspiration and gladness from in the future. I stumble and trip over the sorts of snares which pervade a young man's life, such as pride and lust, envy, and laziness, but I thank the Lord that He cares for me, the bruised up, banged up sinner who has regularly proved that he is not perfect in the sight of God. But, Father, keep me in your ways. I write continually of patience and the worth of it, so please, guide me in my own persistence in this war for right actions.
As for the man who has wrinkles, permanent blue bruises on his skin, with calluses on his worn out hands, he looks back with a smile, looking back on the back-breaking work he has done in his almost centennial length of life, and his splendor is in his gray hair. He lived through it. Many a man has done that, I think, looked back and smiled; maybe a smile of ease is not expressed, but the sort of smile of laughter, of an inside joke, that makes an appearance on the aged brows of many men at the end of their life. God's calling His men out of the cities, out of the countryside, out of the ghettos, out of the farms, out of the town houses, and out of the bungalows to do His work. Am I one of those men? Yes, I am. I am hesitant? Naturally, at first, but I dare not think about running or sailing in the opposite direction as Jonah has done.
"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11).
Thursday, February 24, 2005
7 o' clock Interview
"For by You I can run against a troop,
By my God I can leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29).
This day had been leading up to tonight's schedule, for I feel in all my mind that my concentration had been on the interview as I went through each other hour. But I see that I should not single out one event when even in the most uneventful day. I am looking forward to any work ahead of me in Washington and elsewhere; out of the picture, the exact "work" could be anywhere, and this opportunity with Milgard may or may not be part of the picture. I hope to know soon. I may see places I do not dream about now, places of great remoteness to me in this country and state. Wishing not to be held back by my own fears or whims, I have bridled some of my impatience; still, I give my plea to the Lord, for in every day I walk I want to do more, struggling to give up anxiousness which produces not production but various restrictions. I have words in my head that I don't perfectly articulate in speech, but then again, my thoughts aren't the pick of the litter either. Studying the words of truth gives me support now as I am in a point in my youth where I have many friends spread out over the USA and many more to meet soon enough. This study in the Word has shown me the full potential of God's grace through the many men and women who have received it. I thank the Lord that I have received it too!
At the interview tonight, in the Pultrusion Division's cafeteria I sat down with M.G., and in a straightforward talk he laid out the company's expectations, goals, responsibilities, and rules. In work wear, jeans, cutoff denim jacket with a T-shirt underneath resembling a biker gang leader, the supervisor gave me the "low-down" his own expectations of any employee or prospective employee. "Attendance problems" are not tolerated, he said. Everyone gets sick in a blue moon, he continued, "but it should be in a blue moon." I felt confidant and gave good attention to his statements and questions. I bared my juvenile experiences on the table, verbalizing the short history of my labor: odd jobs mostly, lawn maintenance, a two-month stint in a restaurant, some construction work, limited but expanding tape measure skills. The truth is known. My motorcycle captain-supervisor friend at Milgard had it revealed to him; all that is left is the next fork in the road of employment opportunity. Yes, or no? Employed or not employed? A good Shakespearean line would be in order right about now, but I'm not feeling the love of poetry at the moment.
Essentially, I thought today would bring an answer to my wondering mind, but God has placed the prospects of Milgard in my path for a while it seems. M.G. said I "won't see another weekend" the night shift I would belong to always falls on a Friday. "I want to work," I told him while we both leaned our folded hands on the red plastic table top. "Well, I guess a weekend is no good when you don't have money," he said. I don't usually do anything special on the weekends anyway, I thought to myself, but I restrained from blurting out in an echo my lack of socializing like most teenagers do. The interviewer spoke to me as if I was going to be hired, but he said all he can do is call in to the recruiting office and tell them about the further knowledge about me. I got a fistful of information on work benefits, medical, dental, and vision; and it seems that unlike "most" companies this particular one lets one qualify for benefits in two months instead of three or more. I would be under constant scrutiny in an evaluation for the first six weeks if hired, and I believe I could do well. Once I have the system, the routine, the idea of how things run I am an effective worker; and by Jove, the Lord will strengthen me and equip me in this venture.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
By my God I can leap over a wall" (Psalm 18:29).
This day had been leading up to tonight's schedule, for I feel in all my mind that my concentration had been on the interview as I went through each other hour. But I see that I should not single out one event when even in the most uneventful day. I am looking forward to any work ahead of me in Washington and elsewhere; out of the picture, the exact "work" could be anywhere, and this opportunity with Milgard may or may not be part of the picture. I hope to know soon. I may see places I do not dream about now, places of great remoteness to me in this country and state. Wishing not to be held back by my own fears or whims, I have bridled some of my impatience; still, I give my plea to the Lord, for in every day I walk I want to do more, struggling to give up anxiousness which produces not production but various restrictions. I have words in my head that I don't perfectly articulate in speech, but then again, my thoughts aren't the pick of the litter either. Studying the words of truth gives me support now as I am in a point in my youth where I have many friends spread out over the USA and many more to meet soon enough. This study in the Word has shown me the full potential of God's grace through the many men and women who have received it. I thank the Lord that I have received it too!
At the interview tonight, in the Pultrusion Division's cafeteria I sat down with M.G., and in a straightforward talk he laid out the company's expectations, goals, responsibilities, and rules. In work wear, jeans, cutoff denim jacket with a T-shirt underneath resembling a biker gang leader, the supervisor gave me the "low-down" his own expectations of any employee or prospective employee. "Attendance problems" are not tolerated, he said. Everyone gets sick in a blue moon, he continued, "but it should be in a blue moon." I felt confidant and gave good attention to his statements and questions. I bared my juvenile experiences on the table, verbalizing the short history of my labor: odd jobs mostly, lawn maintenance, a two-month stint in a restaurant, some construction work, limited but expanding tape measure skills. The truth is known. My motorcycle captain-supervisor friend at Milgard had it revealed to him; all that is left is the next fork in the road of employment opportunity. Yes, or no? Employed or not employed? A good Shakespearean line would be in order right about now, but I'm not feeling the love of poetry at the moment.
Essentially, I thought today would bring an answer to my wondering mind, but God has placed the prospects of Milgard in my path for a while it seems. M.G. said I "won't see another weekend" the night shift I would belong to always falls on a Friday. "I want to work," I told him while we both leaned our folded hands on the red plastic table top. "Well, I guess a weekend is no good when you don't have money," he said. I don't usually do anything special on the weekends anyway, I thought to myself, but I restrained from blurting out in an echo my lack of socializing like most teenagers do. The interviewer spoke to me as if I was going to be hired, but he said all he can do is call in to the recruiting office and tell them about the further knowledge about me. I got a fistful of information on work benefits, medical, dental, and vision; and it seems that unlike "most" companies this particular one lets one qualify for benefits in two months instead of three or more. I would be under constant scrutiny in an evaluation for the first six weeks if hired, and I believe I could do well. Once I have the system, the routine, the idea of how things run I am an effective worker; and by Jove, the Lord will strengthen me and equip me in this venture.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
The LORD has done it!
He makes this day meaningful, He makes it worthwhile.
"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountians,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44: 23)"
I had more to say, but this is all that is needed.
"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountians,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44: 23)"
I had more to say, but this is all that is needed.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Visit in Fife; Milgard On The Horizon
As I said yesterday evening, I had a job interview this morning with the window manufacturer Milgard, a business which has to be the biggest place (in many respects) that I have applied for yet. It is worth noting, though, that I have only just begun. I've washed dishes, put in duct work, ran a few wires, made a fence here and there, and sipped extra strong black coffee. Yeah, I've been around, and I might've seen a few places. I travel.
Before I lose myself on another ego trip I'll stop with the mentioning that I cannot whistle or blow up a balloon; that's a fact.
I received a letter from a friend from Modesto, California this afternoon coming back from some errends; she gave me a good three page letter, with a photo from Masked and Annonymous, with Bob Dylan standing there in a cowboy hat, posing as "Jack Fate". And she enclosed in the big envelope selected work from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. She said it will look good on my bookshelf even if I don't read it. It will be read eventually, as I have to get through several other books I have partially read and must finish. As it is, my worries are not earth shattering. That's a blessing, for sure.
Her brother, who is another swell comrade, is attending Cornerstone Bible College in Hot Springs, South Dakota and had sent me his paper on Psalm 110 upon request. It seems as I though I ought ot read it now as I curious on the context of the Psalms in the Bible, with limited knowledge on certain ones, it would be wonderful to study up on them. My friend would say, "this is a plug", as CBI is an opportunity to study up on the Word of the LORD. It is a good opportunity, and God has many students of His Word attend there (probably not all at once, though, or I wouldn't think because it's a relatively small school faculty and campus-wise). I was almost compelled to go there myself earlier last year, and even thought I was called to go; I still could be, but it's likely that God wants me in Washington for other studies (though not formal) and preparations.
"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house (Proverbs 24:27)."
Before I lose myself on another ego trip I'll stop with the mentioning that I cannot whistle or blow up a balloon; that's a fact.
I received a letter from a friend from Modesto, California this afternoon coming back from some errends; she gave me a good three page letter, with a photo from Masked and Annonymous, with Bob Dylan standing there in a cowboy hat, posing as "Jack Fate". And she enclosed in the big envelope selected work from Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. She said it will look good on my bookshelf even if I don't read it. It will be read eventually, as I have to get through several other books I have partially read and must finish. As it is, my worries are not earth shattering. That's a blessing, for sure.
Her brother, who is another swell comrade, is attending Cornerstone Bible College in Hot Springs, South Dakota and had sent me his paper on Psalm 110 upon request. It seems as I though I ought ot read it now as I curious on the context of the Psalms in the Bible, with limited knowledge on certain ones, it would be wonderful to study up on them. My friend would say, "this is a plug", as CBI is an opportunity to study up on the Word of the LORD. It is a good opportunity, and God has many students of His Word attend there (probably not all at once, though, or I wouldn't think because it's a relatively small school faculty and campus-wise). I was almost compelled to go there myself earlier last year, and even thought I was called to go; I still could be, but it's likely that God wants me in Washington for other studies (though not formal) and preparations.
"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field, and afterwards build your house (Proverbs 24:27)."
Monday, February 21, 2005
Burning Ceder Branches
Worked today at the neighbor's property, cleaning their pasture of any remaining fallen Ceder branches, then I stacked them on a pile of smouldering dead grass for to flame away. It felt good to get out there and be a little busy for 5 hours of good brisk work. Went to Wal-Mart with my sister for a run of eggs, a birthday card, mechanical pencils, and two "Best of" SNL DVDs. This evening before supper Dawn the secretary (or administrative assistant for those wishing for a long title) from Milgard Windows, Inc. called, asking some questions about me and the application I had sent in a few weeks ago. She gave me a time slot for tomorrow at 9:00 for an interview, and I hapily accepted. Praise Yahweh!
I'm thinking about James 1:2-4 (KJV), about the writer's saying, "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We are made stronger when we are put to the gauntlet, the trials which come around every now and them, and our faith is on the forefront of that strength building.
The counting all joy part may seem unrealistic to those who may feel every now and again that life is only troublesome, difficult at every turn, but with that outlook I can only see dispair weighing on faith's stamina. So know that all things do work out for the good, the bad result of something can be a tool in the LORD's plans. Assuming that Satan did not know of God's plan of salvation, then he may have felt shocked that the Almighty's Son was raised and triumphed in three days. It would be astounding (but not impossible) that Satan didn't have any clue to the plan of God to save man. It does not matter in any way, but it's the curiosity that makes me write and wonder.In this case of patience (it may be the theme of this blog, knowing that it certainly is important with my life) working out perfection or wholeness in a person's life, it is the reliance on God which makes the man's life good. I may be devouted to this topic, and so the emphasis on it (or maybe the bais) will overpower most of thoughts in the future. But that is fine with me. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of God (1 John 2:29)." Throwing that in I see that this production of perfection is do to the doing of righteousness and it being in the faith; and that sort of sticks to my mind like peanut butter on the roof of my mouth.
I'm thinking about James 1:2-4 (KJV), about the writer's saying, "My brethern, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." We are made stronger when we are put to the gauntlet, the trials which come around every now and them, and our faith is on the forefront of that strength building.
The counting all joy part may seem unrealistic to those who may feel every now and again that life is only troublesome, difficult at every turn, but with that outlook I can only see dispair weighing on faith's stamina. So know that all things do work out for the good, the bad result of something can be a tool in the LORD's plans. Assuming that Satan did not know of God's plan of salvation, then he may have felt shocked that the Almighty's Son was raised and triumphed in three days. It would be astounding (but not impossible) that Satan didn't have any clue to the plan of God to save man. It does not matter in any way, but it's the curiosity that makes me write and wonder.In this case of patience (it may be the theme of this blog, knowing that it certainly is important with my life) working out perfection or wholeness in a person's life, it is the reliance on God which makes the man's life good. I may be devouted to this topic, and so the emphasis on it (or maybe the bais) will overpower most of thoughts in the future. But that is fine with me. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of God (1 John 2:29)." Throwing that in I see that this production of perfection is do to the doing of righteousness and it being in the faith; and that sort of sticks to my mind like peanut butter on the roof of my mouth.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Waiting and Praying
This is a new thing for me, and outside of writing on paper and dropping an old online journal with no interest in it all, I have come back to the Internet for a bit of writing. I can only hope that what I have to say is relevent and purpose-oriented; with a mind to write and to serve the LORD in this way, I have no real interest in reader turnout. Although I have established a site here for open display and criticism, I write here primarily as a second wind for accountability and studying the Word. I am like most young men, I need guidance and growth as I find myself in the world, but I mostly need to remain steady and patient as I step out there. In time, I will write here with news of things around Washington State, and hopely with some words which will find relations with anyone who may stumble upon them.
Isaiah 30:18 has become increasingly important in my day-to-day experiences, with hope we read:
"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you,
and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you:
for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." (KJV)
In the midst of the many threats upon Israel and the armies which march toward Jerusalem from Assyria (compliments of King Sennacherib), and the soon-to-be captivity, God repeatedly reveals by His own words and through the words of His servant Isaiah that there is mercy and blessing coming. And in this time, in the 700s B.C. (I'm no scholar, but I generalize) the words of this prophet declared to his countrymen the purpose of the Almighty. I will go off the topic at this time, feeling that I ought to lay some words on my mind out. Anyone who has read some part of the Word, believer or not, will have come upon the telling of God's judgement and mercy, two balancing factors in His love. I am aware that God is love but love is not God--God created love in man's image, thus love is part of Him, but the mysticism of the idea of love is certainly not the Father Himself. The words in the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Daniel and the Minor Prophets remind me consistantly in any part, that God is love, calling out in love, sometimes in wrath and sometimes in tenderness. The words about God's calling, His patience for the follower, are tender in that they show the Lord as the merciful Judge. He waits in on high and we wait below. He is exalted, and His mercy comes forth in blessings to come.
Israel is called God's "servant"--sometimes deaf and blind--but always His servant. It's the everlasting covenant between God and all mankind (through Abraham's offspring) which comes into play here. God promised to bring salvation to all nations (a "blessing" for the Gentiles) by the coming in the form of a man, to blot out our hideous sins at the sacrificial death at the cross and the awesome rising from the tomb three days later. He was exalted here, and so mercy has fallen on this dark world. Be filled with hope!
Isaiah 30:18 has become increasingly important in my day-to-day experiences, with hope we read:
"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you,
and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you:
for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." (KJV)
In the midst of the many threats upon Israel and the armies which march toward Jerusalem from Assyria (compliments of King Sennacherib), and the soon-to-be captivity, God repeatedly reveals by His own words and through the words of His servant Isaiah that there is mercy and blessing coming. And in this time, in the 700s B.C. (I'm no scholar, but I generalize) the words of this prophet declared to his countrymen the purpose of the Almighty. I will go off the topic at this time, feeling that I ought to lay some words on my mind out. Anyone who has read some part of the Word, believer or not, will have come upon the telling of God's judgement and mercy, two balancing factors in His love. I am aware that God is love but love is not God--God created love in man's image, thus love is part of Him, but the mysticism of the idea of love is certainly not the Father Himself. The words in the Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekial, Daniel and the Minor Prophets remind me consistantly in any part, that God is love, calling out in love, sometimes in wrath and sometimes in tenderness. The words about God's calling, His patience for the follower, are tender in that they show the Lord as the merciful Judge. He waits in on high and we wait below. He is exalted, and His mercy comes forth in blessings to come.
Israel is called God's "servant"--sometimes deaf and blind--but always His servant. It's the everlasting covenant between God and all mankind (through Abraham's offspring) which comes into play here. God promised to bring salvation to all nations (a "blessing" for the Gentiles) by the coming in the form of a man, to blot out our hideous sins at the sacrificial death at the cross and the awesome rising from the tomb three days later. He was exalted here, and so mercy has fallen on this dark world. Be filled with hope!
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