2 “Tell Yerushalayim to take heart; proclaim to her
that she has completed her time of service,
that her guilt has been paid off,
that she has received at the hand of Adonai
double for all her sins.”
3 A voice cries out:
“Clear a road through the desert for Adonai!
Level a highway in the ‘Aravah for our God!
4 Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill lowered,
the bumpy places made level
and the crags become a plain.
5 Then the glory of Adonai will be revealed;
all humankind together will see it,
for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Proclaim!”
And I answer, “What should I proclaim?”
“All humanity is merely grass,
all its kindness like wildflowers:
7 the grass dries up, the flower fades,
when a wind from Adonai blows on it.
Surely the people are grass!
8 The grass dries up, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.”
9 You who bring good news to Tziyon,
get yourself up on a high mountain;
you who bring good news to Yerushalayim,
cry out at the top of your voice!
Don’t be afraid to shout out loud!
Say to the cities of Y’hudah,
“Here is your God!
10 Here comes Adonai Elohim with power,
and his arm will rule for him.
Look! His reward is with him,
and his recompense is before him.
11 He is like a shepherd feeding his flock,
gathering his lambs with his arm,
carrying them against his chest,
gently leading the mother sheep.”
"Consider The Shepherd" by Author: Duane BrushSheep are tended. Cattle are herded, goats and pigs are raised, but sheep require tending. Tending requires presence, attendance. Attention must be focused on the flock, because untended sheep get into trouble. With their strong flocking instinct, sheep will follow other sheep, even into danger. Unlike some other animals, sheep will overeat if not watched. Sheep need to be watered daily, but shy away from rapidly flowing water. Since sheep are hunted by predators, they easily become frightened at unexpected noises, movement, or smells. Sheep feel most secure in a familiar and calm environment. Only then can they get their needed rest. Lambs are particularly vulnerable to predators and exposure.
Some bristle at the comparison: “We are not sheep!” They declare their self-sufficiency. Really? Have you taken a close look at humanity lately? We could use some tending. We shouldn’t let pride cause us to wander away from His care.
Hymn for Today: "
All We Like Sheep" by
Don Moen
1. All we like sheep
Have gone astray
Each of us turning
Our own separate way
We have all sinned and
Fallen short of Your glory
But Your glory is
What we desire to see
And in Your presence is
Where we long to be
Chorus:
O Lord show us
Your mercy and grace
Take us to Your holy place
Forgive our sin
And heal our land
We long to live
In Your presence
Once again
Did You Know?
2. Taking our sickness
Taking our pain
Jesus the sacrifice Lamb
Has been slain
He was despised
Rejected by men
He took our sin
Draw us near to you, Father
Through Jesus Your Son
Let us worship before You
Cleansed by Your blood
Chorus:
O Lord show us
Your mercy and grace
Take us to Your holy place
Forgive our sin
And heal our land
We long to live
In Your presence
Once again
Did You Know?
he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it.
Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant,
will make many “righteous ones,”
as he himself carries the burden of their sins.
Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly—
the best of everything, the highest honors—
Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch,
because he embraced the company of the lowest.
He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many,
he took up the cause of all the black sheep." [Isaiah 53:11-12].
Please pray:
For the Middle Eastern Refugees resettling in Europe, Canada, and the United States that church members assist them in acclaimation to their new home.
---------------------
Please pray:
For the Middle Eastern Refugees resettling in Europe, Canada, and the United States that church members assist them in acclaimation to their new home.
---------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment