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Listen while you read: "O How I Love Jesus"1
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Isaiah 61:11 – The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden. (CEV)
Not long ago, while my granddaughter and I were shopping, Ade excitedly pointed out the seed displays. From the time that she was old enough to walk, she had always helped me to plant the vegetable seeds in our gardens and greenhouse. When I reminded her that we no longer had a greenhouse or vegetable patch here on our new property, she felt sad and discouraged. Noticing her downcast look, I reminded her that we still could and would plant baskets of flowers this year to hang along the front yard fence. With this announcement, her little face lit up with anticipation at this change of circumstances.
Likewise, today, we are living amidst fast-changing circumstances in a world that just seems to be going steadily downhill. People are frustrated by violence, inflation, heartache, and a lack of justice. There are many who can no longer afford to buy food and other necessities once the rent has been paid. Others are living on the streets, through no fault of their own. Many families cannot afford proper medications or extended care. Food banks are stretched to the limit, and there is no end in sight to the wars that have been raging overseas or to the natural disasters that strike at random. Where will it all end, we wonder? Will Jesus return and put an end to it all, or will He choose to let the conditions escalate, or will He ordain that the world will experience restoration and renewal through the power and mercy of His love?
I do not know, and neither does anyone else — only God the Father. Isaiah's message in today's verse was not just written for the people of his time, however. It was penned as a timeless word of hope for all mankind amidst situations similar to what we are experiencing today. In his message, Isaiah reminds us that God loves us and that He is what some have termed, "a turnaround God", Who can reverse any situation.
Knowing this truth should therefore change our downcast faces and our discouraged attitudes over the plight of our world or our own personal situations, into ones of hope and anticipation. God is not dead. God is not sleeping. God is very much alive, and as Isaiah wrote so many years ago, He is able "to comfort those who mourn … to give them flowers in place of their sorrow, olive oil in place of tears, and joyous praise in place of broken hearts." (Isaiah 61:2b-3a CEV)
According to today's verse, the Lord is the One Who is able to "bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth and in every individual heart and life, like flowers blooming in a garden." Therefore, let us celebrate and shout for joy, for where our God is, there is always hope, restoration, and renewal.
Prayer: Lord God, we praise and thank You that You are the One Who has the power to turn things around in our lives and in the life of this world, now and forever. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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AMEN, Lynne.
Comforting words, Lynne. Have a great day.
Thank you for this encouragement. Shalom.
So true. Thanks be to God who is our comforter and refuge.
A beautiful, encouraging post. Thanks and blessings Lynne!
Thank you for another uplifting devotional!
Keep them coming !!!
Thanks for this (ultimately) joyous Daily Devotional! Good way to start the week! for Ade too!
Problems, world and personal being bring us closer to God – strengthen our Faith and Hope in the Lord.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Thank you, Lynne!!
Hope your flowering baskets also bring you and others lots of joy!
God is faithful.
Good morning, Lynne, thank you for reminding me that our God is still on the throne. He will always be with me.
Thank you.
Dear Lynne,
I am getting to know that you are the author after a couple of paragraphs. That is a compliment as I feel inspired by your writing. Thank you!
(Ontario, Canada)
Similar thing happened with my granddaughter. We always planted the vegetable garden together from the time she was 2. And when we seeded it to grass, she was so sad. She said – that was a tradition for us. So I had her help plant the flowers. She is now an adult and if she is home when I do it, she still helps. Fun. Fun.
Hello Lynne.
Thank you for this message of hope! It’s so easy to, of course, for our focus to wander to the world around us, rather than to see it with eyes of faith. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness, and also for flowers that will bloom beautifully in our baskets!
Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne,
Well I love Ade’s priorities. The promise of nature renewing itself fills me with hope like my trust in God that He is in charge.
I am thinking of planting my tomato seeds up and can taste them already. I think that as we see the buds swelling on the trees and more minutes of sunshine is part of God’s promise to us to have hope.
Hi, Lynne, thank you for your devotional today. It made me think about Job 5:7 “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” but your prayer gave us the hope and reassurance we all need, Prayer: Lord God, we praise and thank You that You are the One Who has the power to turn things around in our lives and in the life of this world, now and forever. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
And Ade sure does love her Grandma!
Many thanks Lynne for another of your excellent devotionals. Yes, when we hear about all the undesirable happenings in the world these days, I’m sure God is disappointed in seeing all the destruction to the beauty He has created and that so many people go about doing their own way without following the words and actions of our loving Lord. It sure is time for a turn-around for more people to be obedient to the word and appreciate all of God’s creation. Blessings as you continue submitting your very special and mindful writings.
Thanks, Lynne, for words of encouragement in a troubled world. I too fear for my grandchildren.
Perhaps being an encouragement to our family and to others is the way to represent Jesus.
Blessing.
I think I miss your beautiful words involving you animals and barnyard more than most people but your teaching, in whatever circumstance, is still so wonderful and what a blessing you are able to share with us as well as you family. Thank you and may God continue to bless you.
(Texas)