 |
 |
Devotions Archive
Archive:
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
The coat tails of certaintyTuesday, February 12, 2008
Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Doubt, questions, hesitation gum up the works. If I'm not sure of myself or my boss I work with stops and starts. I back up as much as I move ahead. And I never feel very good about the result. "Following the center" with enthusiasm is better even when the leader is wrong (of course, there are exceptions). These words of God through Isaiah are some of my very favorites because God conveys his certainty through them. He is sure of himself, and so we can be sure of him too. He knows what he wants, he knows how to accomplish it, and he knows it will happen. When God talks like this, I listen. When God talks like this, I have no trouble believing him and trusting him. Droughts do destroy crops and people starve. Wars are fought for bread. Long-term averages don't assure anything for today. Believing God will accomplish his purpose doesn't mean I might not suffer or die. God goes on after me. That seems like something I need to say again. God goes on after me. God goes on after me. That I need to say that at all exposes how trapped I am in my own perspective. And how much I need God's words to get me out, even if just for a moment. Those are the best moments of my life. Father, your eternal presence gives my life perspective and meaning. I treasure your words. They are priceless. |
Both as supervisor and supervis-ed, I've felt the strength that comes from words spoken in authority. When everyone's on the same page and someone's in charge, things get done. It feels great.