“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” Isaiah 57:15 […]
“I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” Romans 10:20 “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, ‘The LORD will surely separate me from his people’… the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to […]
“The LORD repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!” Ruth 2:12 Reading this blessing Boaz speaks to Ruth, a woman who has left her family and nation to live with her mother-in-law […]
“and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and […]
“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment… but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” Isaiah 51:7-8 “The people in whose […]
“My people are bent on turning away from me… How can I give you up, O Ephraim? How can I hand you over, O Israel?… My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my burning anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim; for I am God and not […]
“Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.” Isaiah 49:23b This statement is made at a time when the Lord’s abandonment seems clear. The grief and emptiness of His people feel unending. The outlook of Israel is seen in verse 14: “But Zion […]
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12 I love that righteousness is a result of seeking and knowing our Lord. We don’t have to make ourselves good enough, to work […]
“When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At […]
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 As I read this verse this morning, I noticed in the footnotes that another translation of “very present” is “well proved.” Let this sink in for a moment. Our God is well-proved. He has proven Himself faithful and true time and […]
In Pleasant Places 