October 5, 2013 … God’s Promise

Daily Berry Patch Devotions in 2013 - Day 278

Devotional Song: Go to this link -  Please take the time to meditate on this poignant song, sung by Sara Groves, entitled It’s Going to Be Alright, a reminder to those of us who sometimes, or maybe all too often, get confused, or even depressed, that God desires to take us through this valley of despair to His garden beyond.

Highlight meditation passage – Isaiah 61: 3 : [In the promise and reality of Messiah we have our hope.] …  
3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. 
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Highlight reading study of Isaiah, Chapter 61: Go to this link … 
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Reference Passage #1: Habakkuk, Chapter 1 ... Go to this link  [Oh so confused by the trials/troubles of the world. ] … [NLT] …

Reference Passage #1: Habakkuk, Chapter 3 ... Go to this link  [Clarified by God's promise and uplifted to joy.] … [NLT] … 

Reference Passage #3: Psalm 23 … [Go to this link and rest in the assurance and promise of God’s love.] … [NKJV] … 

My Journal for Today: Ever been in a place where you just couldn’t find the light in the midst of a fog in your life? Maybe it was in the middle of some confusing set of circumstances where you were wondering “Why me, God!” … or maybe “Why have You allowed this mess, Lord?” … Ever been there?

Well, today, my devotional author took me to the great prophetic promise of Isaiah, Chapter 61, Verse 3, where God gave His people, through Isaiah, the great promise of The coming Messiah, Who would one day deliver them “a crown of beauty” for the ashes they were experiencing at the time.

We’re not alone, are we, anytime we get down-in-the-dumpers because of some confusing or lousy set of circumstances? Right here off the top of my head I think of the acute depression stalwart Bible giants like Moses, David, Elijah, or Jonah experienced, … going through various trials in their lives. But they came through these tribulations and the confusion which they experienced because they were able to seek and hear from God, taking in His promises, which provided hope for a future.

Habakkuk was one such Bible Prophet who went through a season of confusion and fogginess in his life, especially when he saw all the sin and disobedience from God’s people at the time. That’s why I’ve linked you above to Chapter 1 of Habakkuk’s Song, where the confused Prophet goes to God with his confusion and complaints. But after dealing with God, the Lord shows His prophet the reality that GOD IS IN CONTROL; and when we get to Chapter 3 of Habakkuk’s journal, we read that the Prophet had learned from God’s promises that he can hold on to his joy … no matter what the circumstances of life are like.

I think of the confusion voiced by the Apostle Paul in Chapter 7 of his letter to the Roman Christians (and to us); and then, just one chapter later, in Chapter 8, Paul is writing about the truth that NOTHING can take away the promises which Jesus has given us for our future when He comes to take us to our eternal glory with Him. [I’ll leave it to you readers here to go back and take in that before/after comparison of the attitude of any believer who latches on and holds to the promises of God.]

Today I’ve linked any readers here to that wonderful song, It’s Going To Be Alright written and sung by Sara Groves, as well as a link to the powerful promises David sung in Psalm 23. If we go back and meditate on these wonderful promises from God and latch on to them with our belief; we will be lifted from gloomy to glory today.

My Prayer for Today … Lord, I’m high with You today, headed for heaven, knowing today that I’m covered by Your blood and wrapped in Your love. … Amen

Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online blog entitled Today God Is First [TGIF], authored by Os Hillman. If you GO TO THIS LINK  on the date of my blog, you’ll find a link to read Hillman’s TGIF blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.