Meditating The Word

Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 59
Father, your arm is not too weak to save me. And your ear is not too deaf to hear me when I call. 
But my sins had cut me off from you. My persistent wrongdoing came between us. You turned away, not from me, but from my sin. Because of the gap between us, I was no longer speaking your language, and you couldn't hear me. 
My hands were covered with blood, my fingers filthy with sin. My lips were full of lies, and my mouth spewed corruption. 
I didn't care about being fair and honest. I conceived evil deeds and then gave birth to sin. Nothing I did was productive. My activity was filled with sin and violence was my trademark. 
My feet ran to do evil. Misery and destruction followed me. I didn't know where to find peace, or what it meant to be just and good. I followed crooked roads and didn't know a moment's peace. 
There was no justice. I knew nothing about right living. I looked for light, but found only darkness. I looked for bright skies, but walked in gloom.
I groped like a blind person along a wall, feeling my way because I couldn't see. Even at brightest noontime, I stumbled as though it was dark. 
I was like the dead among the living. Growling like a hungry bear and moaning like a mournful dove. I looked for justice, but it never came. I looked for rescue, but it was far from me. 
My sins were piled up before you and testified against me. I had rebelled and denied you, Father, turning my back on you.
You looked long and hard for someone who would intervene to help the oppressed. But there was no one. So you took action and stepped in yourself. Your strong arm reached out and brought salvation. Your righteousness -- good and pure -- sustained you. You sent your Son wearing righteousness as his breastplate and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He was clothed with a robe of vengeance, and wrapped in a cloak of divine passion. 
He defeated the enemy, his fury falling on his foe. He will be paid back even to the ends of the earth.
I respect your holy name and I glorify you. My redeemer came and bought me back. I turned from my sins, and back to you. And you have made a covenant promise to me. Your Spirit which rests on and moves in me will never leave me. Your words which you have placed within me will be on my lips and on the lips of my children and my children's children forever. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 58
You showed me the error of my ways, Father. Even after I said I turned my life over to you, I was steeped in religious tradition. I went to church delighted to learn about you, saying I would never abandon your laws. I would pray and ask you to take action on my behalf. I tried through my own efforts to earn a place in your presence. 
I fasted, but not with the right motive, so it meant nothing to you. I might as well have been fasting to please myself. Even while I fasted, I still did wrong. I still lived in strife. I was going through the motions, bowing my head like a reed bending in the wind. Trying to earn my own salvation.
But that isn't the kind of fasting you want. You ask me to free others from the captivity you freed me from. You want me to lighten the load of those who are heavily burdened. You want me to set the oppressed free and remove the chains that bind them. You ask me to share my food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. To give clothes to those who need them, and to not neglect my own family.
Father, your salvation came like the warm, golden rays of dawn. My wounds were healed in an instant. Righteousness goes before me, leading me forward, and your glory protects me from behind. When I call, you answer. You are always with me.
At your word, I remove the heavy yoke of oppression. I do not point my finger at others or spread rumors. I feed the hungry and help those in trouble. 
Your light shines through me out from the darkness. Even my bleakest moments will be bright as a clear day, and the darkness around me as bright as noon. 
You will never leave me. You guide me continually, leading me in the way that I should go. When I feel worthless, you nourish me, giving me living water and restoring my strength. I am like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. With your unending love and mercy, I have rebuilt the ruins of my life. I am known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes. 
I enjoy your Sabbath rest and speak of it with delight as your holy day. I honor you in everything I do, setting aside my own pursuits and pleasure. I refuse to get caught up and busy with my interests and concerns. In you, I discover a joy that only you can give.
You are my delight. You give me great honor and you satisfy me with the inheritance you promised to my spiritual ancestors. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 57
Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. I do not understand why. But this I know, Father, you protect me from evil. I go through life with integrity and righteousness and when I have lived out my life, I will rest in peace and die in my own bed. 
You are my inheritance. I have made my choice. I am faithful to you. I will never leave you. I will not forget you or your words. I am in awe of you. I trust in you, and you have said that I will inherit the promises and live in your holy presence. 
You have cleared away everything that stood between us, like rocks and stones cleared from a road. You have led me out of my captivity and brought me back to you. 
It is not because of anything I have done, so I am contrite and humble with a repentant heart. You breathed new life into my crushed spirit. You revived my courage. My vitality has been renewed and my strength restored. You healed me. And you lead me. 
You comfort me when I mourn, bringing words of praise to my lips. You have created a desire in me to praise. You are the Lord who healed me.
I have abundant peace, both near and far.
So be it. 
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 56
I am just and fair to all. I do what is right and good. You came and rescued me. And you have displayed your righteousness in my life. Your favor rests on me.  
I am careful to obey your commands. I keep myself from doing wrong, and I am richly blessed. 
I was once a foreigner, but I have committed myself to you and you let me be a part of your people, one of your chosen ones. Because of you, I have a hope and a future. I am filled with joy and expectation. And I blossom with your blessing.
I choose to do what pleases you, and I commit my life to you, and you bless me. You have given me within the walls of your house a memorial and a name far greater than anything I could earn for myself or that my descendants could give me. The name you have given me is an everlasting one. It will continue to inspire and encourage forever. It will never disappear or be forgotten. 
I am overwhelmed with a sense of peace and joy.
I commit myself to you, Father. I will serve you all the days of my life and love your name. I worship you in spirit and in truth and hold fast to your covenant. 
You have brought me into your holy presence, and filled me with joy in your house of prayer. You have accepted my sacrifice of praise.
I am your watchman. I give warning to fellow believers when danger comes. I do not lie around sleeping and dreaming, but stay awake and alert and vigilant. I do not follow my own path intent on personal gain. But I will live as your light in the darkness. In you alone, am I satisfied. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing. 
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 55
I was thirsty, and you invited me to come and drink. I couldn't possibly pay for what you have provided. But you paid the price in full. It's all free.
I spend my money on food that doesn't give me strength, things that don't nourish me and leave me empty. 
Now I sit at your feet and feast on the richest, finest things. I listen with my ears wide open. Your words give me life. 
You have made an everlasting covenant with me, a promise that cannot be broken. You give me all the unfailing love you promised to King David long ago. Your enduring presence and support is available to me 24/7. 
Through David, you displayed your power among the people. He was a leader among the nations. I speak your words, Father, your truth, and people I dont even know come running to me because of you. Your glory is upon me. 
I turn my attention to you and seek you, Father. I call on you, and you are near. If the wicked would only turn to you and change their ways, you would have mercy on them as you have on me. You have forgiven my past wrongs. Your forgiveness is inexhaustible. 
My natural thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, Father. Your ways are far beyond anything I can imagine. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts higher than my thoughts.
But as the rain and snow come down from the heavens and water the earth and cause the grain to grow, they produce seed for the sower and bread for the hungry. So it is with your word. You send it out, and it always produces fruit. It never returns to you empty. It will accomplish everything you want it to, and it will prosper everywhere you send it.
I go out in joy and come home in peace. The mountains and hills burst into song, and the trees of the field clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. All for your honor, Father. They are an everlasting sign of your power and love. You can be trusted absolutely and forever. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 54
I break into loud and joyful song. I'm enlarging my house, building on an addition. I'm spreading out my home, and sparing no expense! I don't underestimate the amount of room that I'll need. I just build, build, build. I increase in every direction. The God-kind of life has me bursting at the seams.
I am not afraid. I no longer live in shame. I don't fear humiliation, for there is no more disgrace for me. I have left behind the shame of my youth, never to remember it again. The sorrow of my loneliness is over. 
You, my Creator, are my husband. The God of Angel Armies is your name. You are my Redeemer, the Holy One, the one who set me right again. Nothing is too hard for the God of all the earth. 
You called me to come back home, like a young wife who had been abandoned by her husband. With great compassion, you are pulling me close again. With everlasting love, you have reconciled me to yourself. With great tenderness, you have taken me back in love. And your faithful love for me will remain. Your covenant of blessing will never be broken. 
You have rebuilt my life like a city with precious jewels, on a firm foundation from lapis lazuli. You have made me strong as a tower of sparkling rubies. And surrounded me with precious stones like a wall with gates of shining gems.
I am at home in your kingdom realm, and I am an eager student of the Most High. I am happy and live in peace. I am founded and grounded on right thought, speech and action. The enemy cannot harm me. No one can trouble me, abuse or oppress me. I know no fear and have no worries. Anyone foolish enough to challenge me will fail. 
No weapon formed against me can succeed. I will silence every voice raised up to accuse me. I enjoy all the benefits of being yours. My vindication comes from you. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing. 
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 53
He grew up in the Father’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. He didn't look like anything or anyone of consequence. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract people to him.
He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with the deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. We didn't care.
Yet it was our weaknesses, our suffering he carried; our sorrows, pain and distress that weighed him down. In our foolishness, we thought his troubles were a punishment from God. That God had rejected him and was punishing him for his own sins. But he was without sin.
He was hurt because of us, he was pierced for our rebellion, wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. The injuries he suffered were so we could be healed.
We have all gone astray, like sheep without a shepherd. We wandered off, leaving God's path to follow our own; scattered by our aimless striving and endless pursuits. But he took upon himself the sins of us all.
He met the oppression and suffering with silence, not saying a word of protest, not raising a finger to stop it. As a sheep before the shearers, like a lamb to the slaughter, he went quietly and willingly. 
He was unjustly condemned and led away. No one cared. His life cut off from the land of the living in midstream. He was struck down, not on his own account, but because of our rebellion.
He did nothing wrong. He never deceived anyone, but his life was snuffed out with the disgraced. Killed with common criminals. Then he was buried in a borrowed space in a rich man's grave.
But it was all part of the Father's plan to redeem us. The life of the innocent, spotless lamb of God was made an offering for our sin. For my sin. He was the first born among many brethren, and now he has many decendants. 
In his hands, the Father's plan prospered. He was able to endure the cross because he could see all that would be accomplished by his anguish. And he was satisfied. He justified countless others by taking on our punishment and bearing it away. He made it possible for me to be counted righteous, because he bore my sins.
His name is Jesus. And he is my Savior and my King.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 52
I have awakened. I am beautifully clothed with strength. I have arisen from the dust, and you have seated me in a place of honor.
You have removed the chains of slavery from my neck. I raise my head in freedom, for you have redeemed me.
Long ago, I chose to live enslaved to sin. The enemy ruled me. But you revealed your name to me, and I came to know it's power. I recognize your voice. You are the one who speaks to me. 
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messengers who bring good news of victory, of peace and salvation, the news that you reign. I shout and laugh for joy, for before my very eyes, I behold your presence. I break into joyful song, for you have comforted me. You have redeemed me. You demonstrated your holy power for all the world to see. Every nation, every person, every place on earth will witness your victory, Father. 
I have left my captivity where everything I touched was unclean. You have taken me out of the darkness and purified me. I go in confidence and grace, because you are with me. You go ahead of me, paving the way with assurance and strength. And you watch my back, protecting me from behind. 
You have made me prosper. In you, I have grown in character and reputation. You have lifted me up to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. When he was crucified, with all of my sins upon him, with every sickness and disease known and unknown, those who saw him were amazed. His form--once glorious--was so disfigured, he seemed hardly human. From his appearance, they could scarely know that he was a man. 
And now, he startles the nations. Kings stand speechless in his presence. 
I see what I've never been told. And I understand what I have never heard. 
So be it. 
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 51
Lord, you are my hope, my deliverance. I diligently work for justice. I look to you for what is fair and true. I consider the rock from which I was cut, the quarry from which I was mined. I look to my spiritual ancestors, Abraham my father, and Sarah who birthed me. I am the seed of Abraham by faith. He was only one man when you called him. But Father, you blessed him, and he became a great nation. 
You comfort me. You have made the desert of my soul blossom like Eden, and the barren wilderness of my life flourish like your garden. I have found joy and gladness in you. My songs of thanksgiving fill the air. 
Your law will be proclaimed. Your justice is a light to the nations, illuminating all people wherever they are. You have showered me with mercy and justice. Salvation has come. Your strong arm has brought justice. 
I look to you and wait in expectant hope for your mighty works. I look up to the skies above, and gaze on the earth below. The skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. People are born, live their lives, and die. But Father, your salvation lasts forever. Your righteous rule will never end. 
You have taught me right from wrong. I cherish your law in my heart. I am not afraid of people's scorn. I do not fear their insults. They live out their lives and die. But your righteousness will last forever. Your salvation will continue from generation to generation.
You are clothed in strength as you flex your mighty right arm. You are the same today as when you dried up the sea making a path of escape through the depths so your people could cross over. 
I have been ransomed by you. I enter your courts singing, crowned with everlasting joy. My sorrow and mourning have disappeared. They have been replaced with joy and gladness. 
You are the one who comforts me, Father. You give me peace. I am not afraid of mere humans who wither like grass and disappear. I have not forgotten you. You are my Creator, the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy and laid the foundations of the earth. 
I do not dread human oppressors or fear the anger of my enemies. Their fury and anger are gone. You have released me from captivity. Imprisonment, starvation and death were not my fate. For you are the Lord my God. You stir up the sea, causing its waves to roar. You are the Lord of Angel Armies. 
You have put your words in my mouth and hidden me safely in your hand. You pulled the skies tight and made the earth rock solid. You have called me your own. 
So be it.
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing.
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Today's Prayer Meditation is on Isaiah 50
Father, I had amassed debt--a debt of constant wrongdoing. You alone had the power to rescue me. You only have to speak your word, and entire oceans will evaporate. You can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish. You can dress the heavens in darkness, trading their velvet skies for scratchy clothes of mourning.
You have given me your words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.Morning by morning you waken me and open my understanding to your will.You have spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away from your work.
For your sake, I will offer my back to those who would beat me and turn the other cheek to those who would strike me. I will not hide my face from mockery and spitting. 
Because you help me, I will not be discouraged. Therefore, I have set my face like a rock, determined to do your will. Confident that I will not be put to shame.
You are my hero who sets things right. You are always here beside me. You give me justice. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!
You, Father, are on my side! Who will declare me guilty? Who could possibly win against me? You destroy your enemies like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
I reverence you, Father, and obey you. I once walked in darkness without a ray of light. But now I trust in you and rely on you alone. I do not try to go it alone, living in my own light or warming myself by my own fire. 
I am led by the glory of your presence, and you warm me with your holy fire. I live in your glorious light. 
So be it. 
Until next time, be blessed and be a blessing. 
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