New Devotions!

August 09, 2005

Beginning today In Our Midst will be reprinting devotions written by Tracy Beckham, a gifted devotional writer. Tracy brings the truth of Scripture to light with warmth, compassion, and an understanding of what it means to walk with Jesus on this difficult path upon which we have been called to travel. I pray Tracy's devotions bless you as much as they have blessed me over the past few months.

Many thanks to Tracy for sharing her inspiring and encouraging words with us here at In Our Midst!

--------------------------------
Hearing What God Has to Say to Your Heart

"But now, this is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I AM THE LORD, YOUR GOD, the Holy one of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom. Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you. and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:1-5

When I am feeling down, and I am facing a valley - one of my favorite verses to read is Isaiah 43. It just reminds me how much God loved the world and the sacrifice He made on my behalf.

I love this verse because here is what it says to me ... I am your Lord, your loving God, I will save you from harm. You are precious to me and I love you! Do not be afraid - I am always with you. You are my own dear child whom I have created for Glory. Even if you walk through trials and you will face valleys, you will not be harmed - because I am always with you!

Even if you question and say how can God love me that much? One translation says, "The Lord answers, can a mother forget her own child? Can she refuse to love the child she bore? No, Yet even if she could forget, I [God] will never forget you. I have written your name on the palm of my hand and I will bring you home one day."

That is awesome. Remember this verse. I hope it touches your heart today and you realize that Jesus loves you whole-heartedly. From the top of your head to the edge of your toes. Pray that He meets you where you are today and you are reminded of just how much He loves you. I pray that His Word touched your heart and gives you a desire to seek His Word for direction in your life today. I pray that you have a desire to read The Bible more each day. �Have a nice day today.

Love, Tracy

Posted by mary at August 9, 2005 11:37 AM

Comments

Thank you so much I needed this today!

Posted by: Anita | August 9, 2005 09:02 PM

is it ok for me to ask questions? if it is cool if not ignore please and I will stop. My question is in this part here:
"give Egypt for your ransom. Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you. and people in exchange for your life. "

Does that not imply that one person is better then another? That one is worth sacrificing in the name of another? How does that jive with a G*d that is suppose to be for everyone? Love for one, but not for all?

Posted by: achromic | August 9, 2005 09:17 PM

Hi achromic!

Yes, you are always welcome to ask questions! I am no theologian, but I will answer them to the best of my ability, given my own limited understanding. :)

It is true that God did "set apart" the Israelites to bear Him name and to serve Him in a special way. He chose this race through which to glorify and reveal Himself to mankind.

In this particular instance, the Persians had conquered Egypt, Cush, and Seba, and perhaps this was a reward or ransom for Persia's kindness to Israel. However, that verse is not the end of the story, but merely a sidebar in the story as a whole....

The Word of God says in Acts 10:34, 35 that "God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him." The Old Testament (Isaiah 65:1) prophesied of how God would be found by a nation which did not call on His name... And the New Testament shows very clearly how that prophesy was fulfilled.

Paul said in the New Testament, also, that Jews are those who are Jews inwardly, not merely those who have followed the letter of the law outwardly (meaning circumcision). God looks at the heart of man, and it is the heart that fears Him (with a reverent, holy fear -- not terror of Him!) and loves Him the He accepts.

The Word of God can be very complicated and complex, achromic, and we have to be very careful how we interpret it. Often one has to take a look at the history behind the text, and/or the cultural implications, and it is always best to go back to the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) when studying a particular text. But most importantly we must take the "whole word of God" into consideration when determining the truth of the matter. The bottom line -- or perhaps what I should say is the "plumb line" -- is to know the character of God. Once you have a handle on that, the rest becomes easier to grasp. Although, there are things about the complexity of God that we will never understand this side of heaven.... That's why this is called a "faith walk!"

I don't know if this helped to answer your question or not.... If you need further clarification, I will do my best.

Thanks for sending your question! :)

All the best to you,
mary

Posted by: mary comm | August 10, 2005 12:50 AM