07/17/18 Let Us Rejoice!

READING: Isaiah 23-26

“Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9

Sometimes, the Word of God makes you just want to sing. Even unexpectedly so.  

This weekend, Pam and I spent time with both of our families – some who are believers, but many who are not. Many are older, facing the increasing reality of death at some point. Some are living for everything but God, and we pray they would turn to Jesus soon. We pray for them regularly, knowing that God’s love for them is even greater than ours. And, I pray that they see something in us that would make them want to follow Christ. 

That’s where the singing comes in today. I read Isaiah’s words about God’s judgment followed by His reign, and I can only rejoice at these words of defeated death and dried-up tears: “On this mountain he will destroy the burial shroud, the shroud over all the peoples, the sheet covering all the nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said, ‘Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him. Let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation’” (Isa. 25:7-9). 

Our God has already defeated death through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Though death still happens for now, it’s no longer a shroud hanging over us; for believers, it’s the glorious entrance into eternity with Christ. The magnificent, eternal, all-powerful, loving God who rules forever will somehow wipe any tears from our eyes as He defeats all reasons for sadness and grief. And, even if we have to wait for years for Him to fulfill His plan, it will be worth it. We will join the nations in singing His praises!

In the meantime, I pray that those Pam and I love the most would know Him, too.  

ACTION STEPS: 

  • If you have not yet followed Christ, here’s a simple way to understand how to turn to Him: https://vimeo.com/97258323
  • Share this link with someone you love.

PRAYER: “Lord, I look forward to the day when You will have wiped away all tears. Whatever we face today will be worth it when that day comes.”    

TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalm 48

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