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Daily Devotion: Isaiah 40:9-11

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Isaiah 40:9-11     "O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!  (10)  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.  (11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

I hope it is my misguided imagination, but it seems to me that in too many circles, the view of God has been dimmed. Many have attempted to bring God down to our own level, making him to be a grandfather image or our best pal. It is definitely true that there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother and I believe that friend is Jesus. I love the old hymn, "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear..."  But He is more than just my buddy. He is so much more than a doting Grandfather. "Behold your God!"  He is the Creator of this universe and all that is in it. He is the sustainer of every molecule throughout the solar system, and beyond.  His Word is the final authority on all matters. As the writer of Hebrews tells us, He is "... is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." I understand that verse to mean we are to seek HIM, not our image of Him.

"Behold your God!" There are very few verses in the Bible that end with an exclamation point.  It demands our attention. Our God has a strong hand and He reigns and rules over all. "His reward is with Him, and His work before Him." And may I add that He is perfect in all His ways. He is the source of all strength and yet, He is gentle in His ways of feeding His little lambs. He is wise as our Shepherd. He is perfect in leading us each day. When we get weak and tired, He carries us through the rough places of life. "Behold your God!" He is everything to us and fulfills everything that is lacking within us. We try to fill our lives with the things of this word, but one more time I say.... "Behold your God!"  He is the only One Who can take that which is "without form, and void..." and fill it with His very being.  Let us lift the name of our God to its highest place within our hearts and minds.

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