Sunday Scripture

 

 It's time for another Sunday Scripture!  This is part of an ongoing series on my simple study of Rachel Wojo's Everything Beautiful.  You can read about the plan here if you are interested in it for yourself: Everything Beautiful Bible reading plan. My answers and input on this series are a combination of what I learned back in 2018, and what I found in looking over the Scriptures now, six years later.  I'm attempting to SOAP the passages too, though some of them are longer. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Today's study is from Ephesians 2:4-10.  

S= "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,
"Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus:
"That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus;
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
"Not of works, lest any man should boast.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."  (Ephesians 2:4-10)

O= Scofield's study Bible titles Ephesians 1:1 through Ephesians 3:21 as "The Believer's Standing in Grace."  Verses 3-14 of chapter 1 he titles, "The believer in Christ in the heavenlies".  Verses 15-21 he titles "Prayer for knowledge and power."  Verses 22-23 he titles "Christ exalted as Head of His body, the Church".  And verses 1 through 10 of chapter 2, where we find ourselves today, Scofield titles "Method of salvation."

As we look at verse 4, we see that it begins with the words "But God".  Our pastor always taught us that the word "but" signals a change of direction -- and the words "but God" are even more meaningful -- so before tackling these verses we really need to look back to the ones before them. Verses   1-3 describe what believers used to be like: dead in trespasses and sins (v.1); walking according to the course of this world (v.2); walking according to the prince of the power of the air (v.2); having the same manner of life as unbelievers around us (v.2-3); fulfilling the desires of our flesh and mind (v.3); by nature the children of wrath (v.3).  So what a huge change of direction verse 4 is!

Cross-reference for "rich in mercy" (v.4) -- "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him."  (Psalm 103:8-11)

Cross-references for "great love" (v.4) -- "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16)

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  (1 John 4:9-10)

Cross-reference for "even when" (v.5) -- "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  (Romans 5:8)

Note for "dead in sins" (v.5) -- "Spiritual death is the state of the natural or unregenerate man as still in His sins, alienated from the life of God, and destitute of the Spirit."

Cross-reference for "grace" (v.5) -- "In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."  (Ephesians 1:7)

Note for "saved" (v.5) -- "The Hebrew and Greek words for 'salvation' imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness.  'Salvation' is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: justification, redemption, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification."

🌿 [Note from me: If you want some real encouragement in your devotions sometime, take a Bible dictionary and look up the last seven words (not counting 'and').  All of those spiritual blessings are ours in Christ!] 🌿

Cross-reference for "heavenly places" (v.6) -- "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ."

Note for "heavenly places" -- Literally "in the heavenlies".  It signifies that which is heavenly by contradistinction to that which is earthly.

Cross-reference for " faith" (v. 8) -- "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of " Him.". (Ephesians 3:12)

A note on Hebrews 11:39 states, "The essence of faith consists in believing and receiving what God has revealed, and may be defined as that trust in the God of the Scriptures and in Jesus Christ whom he has sent, which receives Him as Lord and Savior and impels to loving obedience and good works."

Here are a few secondary definitions of faith:

1) For salvation, faith is personal trust in the Lord Jesus, apart from any good works.

2) As used in prayer, faith is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

3) In reference to unseen things spoken of in Scripture, faith gives substance to them, so that we act upon the conviction of their reality.

4) As a working principle in life, the uses of faith are illustrated in Hebrews 11.

Cross-reference for "gift of God" (v.8) -- "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on His name, who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  (John 1:12-13)

Cross-reference for "works" (v.9) -- "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."  (Romans 4:4-5)

Cross-reference for "boast" (v.9) -- "Where is boasting then?  It is excluded.  By what law?  Of works?  Nay, but by the law of faith."  (Romans 8:27)

Verse 10 -- "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." -- is considered to be the key verse of the book of Romans.

Cross-reference for "created" (v.10) -- "And that ye put on the new man, which was created in righteousness and true holiness."  (Ephesians 4:24)

Note  for "created" -- "The new man is the regenerate man as distinguished from the old man, and is a new man having become a partaker of the divine nature and life, and in no sense the old man made over, or improved."

Note for "works" (v.10) -- "1) The necessity for the new birth grows out of the incapacity of the natural man to 'see' or 'enter into' the kingdom of God.  However gifted, moral, or refined he may be, the natural man is absolutely blind to spiritual truth and impotent to enter the kingdom, for he can neither obey, understand, nor please God.  2) The new birth is not a reformation of the old nature, but a creative act of the Holy Spirit."  -- C.I. Scofield

A= Believer's Bible Commentary points out, "The words 'But God' form one of the most significant, eloquent, and inspiring transitions in all literature.  They indicate that a stupendous change has taken place.  It is a change from the doom and despair of the valley of death to the unspeakable delights of the kingdom of the Son of God's love.  The Author of the change is God Himself.  No one else could have done it, and no one else would have done it."

For this Scripture, there were also a number of ways to apply it as prompted in the journal.  

"Doing God's work is a beautiful thing." -- Rachel Wojo

This thought of course alludes to verse 10, where Paul teaches that believers are God's workmanship,  "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

 
Rachel also shares a "focus word" in each of the devotional pages.  For this lesson the focus word is "fulfillment". I would see this as fulfilling God's purpose for us as believers -- to glorify Him with all that He has given us, to point others to Him and to help our Christian brothers and sisters to grow spiritually.

 

William MacDonald explains, "God has a blueprint for every life. Before our conversion He mapped out a spiritual career for us.  Our responsibility is to find His will for us and then obey it."

 

He continues by giving six practical steps we can take to do this:  1) Confess and forsake sin as soon as we are conscious of it in our lives; 2) Be continually and unconditionally yielded to Him; 3) Study the Word of God to discern His will and then do whatever He tells us to do; 4) Spend time in prayer every day; 5) Seize opportunities of service as they arise; 6) cultivate the fellowship and counsel of other Christians.

The question was asked: Which of my own words have blocked the beauty of God's Word?

My response in 2018:  Maybe not my words, but my heart attitude or thoughts that I'm limited at this time from doing all God has for me to do.  That's not really so ... He knows this season and has allowed it.  He knows my limitations.  If I'm faithful to keep looking to Him, He will guide me in this daily even in what looks like a hard season.

Answering this same question in 2024:  Any words of mine that do not please or honor God.  Complaining, to name just one.  I finally have come to realize that when I complain, even if it is non-verbal like a sigh or an eye-roll,  I am really complaining against God.

This prompt was given, along with a list: Today I will keep my eyes open for God's beauty in one or more of these places.

These are the places I circled: The words I read; the places I go; the music I hear; the people I encounter; the air I breathe; the weather I experience; the rest I receive.

In 2024 I can note that for the music I hear,  we recently enjoyed the blessing of an evening service and fun night at the Wilds of New England.  From fun cowboy music to beautiful hymns, it was all well done and so enjoyable.

For the words I read, I mentioned the beautiful key verse of Ephesians, chapter 2, verse 10.

For the places I go, I listed the lovely flowers and plantings at The Wilds of New England.

For the air I breathe, I mentioned a drop in humidity and some cool breezes.

For the people I encounter -- we were able to get to visit with our cottage neighbors a little bit.  

For the rest I receive, I mentioned the restorative quality of excellent sleep.

A journaling prompt was this:  List one or more ideas to remind myself to intentionally look for God's beauty throughout the day.

My response in 2018:  Get out in the fresh air; breathe deeply and listen to birdsong.  Soak up as much sunshine and vitamin D as possible.  Enjoy the rich colors of foods and household items.

For my response in 2024, I added: Watch for the various colors of phlox to bloom at our cottage.  Enjoy the gorgeous, tranquil beauty of lakes in our region.

P= "Lord,  I thank  You that You have planned for us to do good works to glorify You.  I admit I've often felt limited and constrained in difficult seasons.  I've even felt at times rather frustrated that I can't accomplish all that's on my plate.  Yet I must remind myself that You know all about what's on my plate and You allow limitations and challenging seasons anyway.  I pray that You will meet me in my limitations and guide me in what good You would have me to accomplish each day.  I praise You for all You'll do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

 And there is this week's Sunday Scripture!  I pray it's a blessing to someone. 

Friday five, vacation edition

 

 Today I thought it might be fun to do a quick Friday five just sharing a few blessings from our recent vacation.  So here goes!

1.  Time in God's creation.

We met up with friends at Table Rock State Park in South Carolina, which is where the two photos above were taken.

Sunrise from the wraparound porch of our Airbnb, above.

Both of the above photos are scenes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

2.  Time with family.

 Scenes above from our Airbnb in North Carolina.  We were blessed to be able to have a farmhouse large enough for us, and our NH daughter's family, to all stay together comfortably.  We were even able to have Nevada granddaughter Emily with us for a short time.  Above you see cornhole on the porch on a rainy afternoon.

More grandkids posing in Mount Airy, NC.

3.  Time with friends.

In addition to our meet-up with friends in SC, Mr. T and I  spent two nights near the end of our vacation in this guest cottage where we enjoyed a visit with our good friends Judy and Tom in Pennsylvania.

4.  Time for fun.

Looks like Mayberry!

In a little town in PA, we discovered this little free greenhouse, modeled on the little free library idea.

5.  Safety traveling hundreds of miles.

This is in Greencastle, PA.

 

Where would anyone feel safer than next to Andy's squad car?

So there you have it -- a very simple Friday five.  More about our vacation next week, I hope.

An unexpected Hodgepodge

 

 It feels like I haven't blogged in forever.  We've been out of town and although I have occasionally blogged from a tablet during past vacations, it's time-consuming.  So I feel like I simply have to join Joyce and the gang for the Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.   And here we go ..

1. What's a task you do on a regular (or semi-regular basis) that feels like it should be an Olympic event? 

Let's see. I will say cleaning the refrigerator. There is so much to it.

2. What's in the trunk of your car right now? 

We have just emptied it of coolers, suitcases, duffel bags, and other vacation paraphernalia.  I believe it is relatively empty at the moment, but my hubby's tools for his volunteer job will soon fill it up since our other car is not currently usable.

3. Summer foods vs. fall foods...which do you prefer? 

Would you rather-watermelon or caramel apple? iced coffee or pumpkin spiced latte? potato salad or sweet potato casserole? barbecued ribs or roast turkey? ice cream sandwich or apple pie? corn on the cob or candy corn? 

I was going to say fall foods until I looked at the choices below the first question.

So -- watermelon; iced coffee; potato salad, roast turkey, apple pie, and corn on the cob.  Four of my choices are summer foods and thus outweigh the fall foods I picked.

You might enjoy this post about Potato Salad the easy way.

4. August 7th is National Lighthouse Day. Have you visited any lighthouses? Do you have a favorite? Is a lighthouse something you seek out if you're visiting an area known for theirs? 

Yes, I have visited a number of lighthouses -- mostly in Maine and Prince Edward Island.  Nubble Light in York, Maine is the one I've visited most often, but Portland Head Light may be my favorite.

Above are several views of Pemaquid Point light in Bristol, Maine -- including one from inside!

5. Light at the end of the tunnel, out like a light, give the green light, a lightbulb moment, in a new light, in the limelight...of the 'light' idioms listed which applies in some way to your life lately? Explain. 

Out like a light describes how we felt sleeping in our own bed last night after a road trip in which we slept in four different beds in three states.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Not really random, but at the end of the vacation we enjoyed two nights visiting our good friends Judy and Tom in Pennsylvania.  Judy and I have been friends since 2007, when she discovered my blogs.  We have spent time together in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine, but had never visited her in her home state.  So thankful it worked out at last!

Photo above is a garden in front of a bank (I think) in Greencastle, PA.  About 90 minutes from our friends' home; we stayed near there on Saturday night.

And there is my simple Hodgepodge for today!

Some goals for August

 

A new month means new goals (and with me, always some ongoing ones as well) -- so here goes!

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Get back to working through the "Make Room Challenge" from Make Room for What You Love
* Spend time with our friends who are younger believers
* Attend the wedding of two dear friends
* Enjoy our church ladies' gathering
* Post in this blog as often as possible
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Use Charles Swindoll's devotional Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life for my quiet time daily
* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday School lessons
* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday Scripture blog posts
*Work on Even If, a study of Habakkuk from the Daily Grace Co.
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Touch base with teen grandchildren regarding the Stand Firm Bible study
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Continue to work on memorizing the book of James
* Continue to help a widowed friend with the challenges of life in general
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week
* Enjoy traveling for a family vacation
* Plan a trip to the Canadian Maritimes to visit friends the end of the month

HEALTHY HABITS FOR AUGUST:  Drink more water/get more sleep/get more exercise/intermittent fasting/limit carbs

WORD FOR 2024: Continue 

And there you have it -- my goals for August!  We will see how I do!

Taking a break ...

 

My apologies to all who are counting on a Sunday Scripture post today.  Time has gotten away from me this week and although I started a post, I have had no extra time to work on it.  I can't promise one for next week, either, but I will do my best.

Summer is such a busy time!  I feel as if I have never lived through a busier summer or one that has flown by quite so quickly.  I imagine many of you feel the same.

I will be popping in on Thursday with a list of my August goals.  Blessings to all of you!

Sunday Scripture

 

Yes, it's time for another Sunday Scripture!  This is part of an ongoing series on my simple study of Rachel Wojo's Everything Beautiful.  You can read about the plan here if you are interested in it for yourself: Everything Beautiful Bible reading plan. My answers and input on this series are a combination of what I learned back in 2018, and what I found in looking over the Scriptures now, six years later.  I'm attempting to SOAP the passages too, though some of them are longer. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Today's study is from Psalm 1:1-6.  

S= "Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.
"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
"The ungodly are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
"Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
"For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish."  (Psalm 1:1-6)

O= Note for "man" (v.1) -- "The singular Hebrew word is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person."  

Cross-reference for "walketh not" (v.1) -- "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the path of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn away from it, and pass away."  (Proverbs 4:14-15)

Cross-reference for "counsel of the ungodly" (v.1) -- "Lo, their good is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me."  (Job 21:16)

Cross-reference for "the way of sinners" (v.1) -- "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."  (Proverbs 1:10)

Cross-references for "sits in" (v.1) -- "I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers."  (Psalm 26:4)

"I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of Thy hand; for Thou hast filled me with indignation."  (Jeremiah 15:17)

Cross-reference for "the seat" -- "Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders."  (Psalm 107:32)

Cross-references for "scornful" (v.1) -- "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?  And the scoffers delight in their scoffing, and fools hate knowledge?"  (Proverbs 1:22)

"Surely He scoffeth at the scoffers, but He giveth grace unto the lowly."  (Proverbs 3:34)

"An ungodly witness scoffeth at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.  Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and stripes for the back of fools."  (Proverbs 19:28-29)

"Scornful men bring a city into a snare; but wise men turn away wrath."  (Proverbs 29:8)

"But his delight is in the law of the LORD." (v.2) Stuart Briscoe writes, " 'But' is a great little word!  It's a key word in Bible study for it alerts the reader to the fact that there is another side to what has just been said, and it is about to be presented.  So far the psalmist has been at great pains to state where happiness isn't.  Now he speaks positively about the direction in which happiness can be sought and found.  'But his delight is in the law of the Lord' gives the clue that so many people need to discover."

Cross-references for "delight" (v.2) -- "Praise ye the LORD.  Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in His commandments."  (Psalm 112:1)

"Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight."  (Psalm 119:35)

"I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.  And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved."  (Psalm 119:46-47)

"Unless Thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction."  (Psalm 119:92)

Note for "law of the LORD" (v. 2) = "Instruction."

Cross-references for "law of the LORD" (v.2) -- "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."  (Psalm 19:7)

"Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."  (Galatians 3:24)

Cross-reference for "law" (v.2b) -- "O how love I Thy law!  It is my meditation all the day."  (Psalm 119:97)

Cross-reference for "tree" (v.3) -- "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit."  (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Note for "wither" (v.3) -- in the Hebrew, this word means "fade".

Cross-reference for "like the chaff" (v.4) -- Job 21:18 says of the wicked, "They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away."

Cross-references for the phrase "stand in the judgment" (v.5) -- "The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight; Thou hatest all workers of iniquity."  (Psalm 5:5)

"Who can stand before His indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him."  (Nahum 1:6)

Cross-reference for the phrase "the LORD knoweth" (v.6) -- "The LORD knoweth the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever."  (Psalm 37:18)

A= For this Scripture, there were also a number of ways to apply it as prompted in the journal.  

"Beauty stems from the stream of God's Word." -- Rachel Wojo

This thought of course alludes to verse 3, where the psalmist notes that the one who delights in and meditates on God's Word will be "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season."

 
Rachel also shares a "focus word" in each of the devotional pages.  For this lesson the focus word is "delight". 

 

We should find our delight in God's Word!  Warren Wiersbe comments in With the Word, "Blessing involves delight (v.2).  The Word guides your walk and rejoices your heart (Jeremiah 15:16).  Meditation is to your inner person what digestion is to your body: you make the Word a part of your life and you grow."

 

I decided to look up Jeremiah 15:16.  It reads: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts."

 

Wiersbe adds, "Blessing involves dependence (v.3).   Your spiritual roots grow deep into the resources of God's grace and you bear fruit because His life is at work in you."

The question was asked: How can I realign the eyes of my heart to see the Father's gift of everyday elegance?

My response in 2018: I need to delight in God's Word and meditate on it daily.  As I do, I will be like a tree planted by the water, growing, flourishing,  bearing fruit.  I will remain strong even through the dry or challenging seasons of life.

Answering this same question in 2024:  Realize that God does indeed give us everyday elegance even in challenging, difficult seasons.   For me, observing the beauty of His creation always leads to meditating on His great power, wisdom, and creativity.  Looking at these things points me back to Him every time.

This prompt was given, along with a list: Today I will keep my eyes open for God's beauty in one or more of these places.

These are the places I circled: The words I read; the places I go; the music I hear;  the air I breathe; the weather I experience; the rest I receive.

In 2024 I can note that for the music I hear,  we recently enjoyed the blessing of a string quartet at church, and also a teen ensemble singing a stirring song titled "People of the Way".  Both were so encouraging and edifying!

For the words I read, I mentioned that the imagery of a tree here and also in Jeremiah 17:7-8, is so beautiful. 

For the places I go, we had occasion to travel through the Lakes Regions of both New Hampshire and Maine recently.  The lakes are so lovely. 

 
For the air I breathe, I mentioned the cool morning air at our little cottage.

A journaling prompt was this:  Everything God made is beautiful.  Where have I noticed God's beauty in the last 24 hours?

My response in 2018: In the sun's warmth.  In the beauty of sunshine on snow.  In the loving concern of others.  In the friendship of God's people.

For my response in 2024, I added: In a glorious sunset one recent evening.  In the warmth of Christian fellowship.  Beautiful red bee balm flowers at our camp.  In the song of a robin outside our window.

P= "Lord,  I thank and praise You for the beauty and benefit of Your Word.  Help me to meditate on Your Word every day, understanding that doing so will help me to grow strong and steadfast, unwavering through the storms and dry seasons of life. I thank You so much for all that You have done and are doing in my life, even through the most challenging seasons.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

 And there is this week's Sunday Scripture!  I pray it's a blessing to someone. 

Sunday Scripture

Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

 
It's time for another Sunday Scripture!  This is part of an ongoing series on my simple study of Rachel Wojo's Everything Beautiful.  You can read about the plan here if you are interested in it for yourself: Everything Beautiful Bible reading plan. My answers and input on this series are a combination of what I learned back in 2018, and what I found in looking over the Scriptures now, six years later.  I'm attempting to SOAP the passages too, though some of them are longer. [Quick reminder that S stands for Scripture; O stands for observation; A stands for application, and P stands for prayer.]  Today's study is from Isaiah 25:1-9.  

S= "O LORD, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
"For Thou hast made of a city an heap; of a fortified city a ruin; a palace of foreigners to be no city; it shall never be built.
"Therefore shall the strong people glorify Thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear Thee.
"For Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress; a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is like a storm against the wall."
"Thou shalt bring down the noise of aliens as the heat in a dry place, even the heat with the shadow of a cloud; the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
"And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
"And He will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from all the earth; for the LORD hath spoken it.
"And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."  (Isaiah 25:1-9)

O= Isaiah chapter 25 is titled by Scofield, "Triumphs of the Kingdom age."  Believer's Bible Commentary titles this chapter "Israel's Song of Praise for Kingdom Blessings."

This commentary explains, "Here [along with chapters 26-27] the restored Jewish remnant praises the LORD for its deliverance through the Great Tribulation.  Enemy cities (not necessarily any particular city) have been pulverized, causing Gentiles to acknowledge Jehovah's power.  God has been to His people all that they needed."

Warren Wiersbe notes, "The 'city' (verse 2) ultimately refers to Babylon, but it applies to anything man makes and uses to defy God.  It does not take God long to wipe out a nation or destroy a city."

Cross-reference for "glorify Thee" (v.3) -- "Wherefore, glorify the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the coastlands of the sea."  (Isaiah 24:15) 

Notes for "on the lees"  (v. 6)-- "Lees = "fermenting and aging."

"Lees are the dregs composing the sediment at the bottom of a container of wine". -- Scofield

"On Mount Zion the Lord spreads a feast of the finest spiritual delights." -- Believer's Bible Commentary

Cross-reference for "covering cast over all people" (v.7) -- "But their minds were blinded; for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament, which veil is done away in Christ.
"But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
"Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be done away."  (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)

"[The Lord] removes the covering of ignorance, the veil of satanic blindness that has shrouded all nations." -- Believer's Bible Commentary

Cross-references for "swallow up death in victory" (v.8) -- "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death.  O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction; repentance shall be hidden from mine eyes."  (Hosea 13:14)

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."  (1 Corinthians 15:54)

"And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death."  (Revelation 20:14)

Cross-references for "wipe away tears from all faces" (v.8) -- "For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them into living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:17)

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away."  (Revelation 21:4)

Cross-references for "we have waited for Him" (v.9) -- "I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord."  (Genesis 49:18)

"And I will wait upon the LORD, who hideth His face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for Him."  ((Isaiah 8:17)

"Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name; and to the remembrance of Thee."  (Isaiah 26:8)

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ."  (Titus 2:13)

A= For this Scripture, there were also a number of ways to apply it as prompted in the journal.  

"God is my shelter from the storm." -- Rachel Wojo

This thought of course echoes verse 3, where the prophet notes that God has been "a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress; a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat."

 
Rachel also shares a "focus word" in each of the devotional pages.  For this lesson the focus word is "stronghold". 

Warren Wiersbe  says, "Tribulation is like a storm, but He is the Refuge; it is like desert heat, but He is the Cloud that blots out the hot rays.  God silences the noise of the enemy and brings peace."

 
I like that picture!  He has been my Refuge in the storm often, but I had not really thought of tribulation and trouble as being like desert heat.  I have been in desert heat, and found it nearly unbearable.  I love thinking of God as the Cloud that blocks out the hot rays.

Willow Beach, Arizona.  Sounds cool and refreshing, but was 117º and barely tolerable.

The Colorado River was our option for cooling off.  Huge rocks on the bottom and not particularly clean.  However.  It was God's provision and we all took advantage of it.  I think excessive heat is actually a great metaphor for trouble.

The question was asked: What season or circumstance in life challenges me to see God's gifts of beauty ?

My response in 2018: Mud season always challenges me to see God's gifts of beauty.  It's so ugly!  But God's beauty is always there.

Answering this same question in 2024:  Any ugly season of life, especially family or church difficulties.  And then I added these thoughts about mud season; In mud season, we see God's order and regularity.  It always comes.  We also see God transforming this ugliness into beauty.

This prompt was given, along with a list: Today I will keep my eyes open for God's beauty in one or more of these places.

These are the places I circled: The words I read; the places I go; the music I hear; the people I encounter; the food I eat;  the air I breathe; the weather I experience; the rest I receive.

In 2024 I can note that for the music I hear,  I had the most amazing blessing on Saturday night.  I was standing in the kitchen of our little camp, brushing my teeth at the kitchen sink.  All of the windows were open.  Suddenly I became aware of piano music wafting through the night air.  It was coming from our daughter's house next door, as she practiced music for Sunday morning.  Just the most beautiful sound, and it came through clearly enough  for me to identify the songs she was playing.  

For the words I read, I mentioned that Isaiah 25 contains several verses that are incredibly beautiful and meaningful.

For the food I eat, and the people I encounter, I noted that our longtime friends Mark and Dianna visited church on Sunday and treated us to an amazing lunch.  The fellowship was even better than the food.

For the places I go, I mentioned a tram trip up Cannon Mountain.  Being in the mountains always brings perspective.

For the air I breathe, I mentioned the fresh mountain air, scented with balsam fir.

A journaling prompt was this:  List one or more ideas to remind myself to intentionally look for God's beauty throughout the day.

My response in 2018: Bask in any sunshine that is available.  Enjoy the blessing of having piano accompaniment to singing at church.  [At that time we had no pastor, and no regular pianist.]  Notice the fresh effect of an unexpected skim of snow overnight.

For my response in 2024, I added: Notice the varied songs of birds and make a point of trying to identify them.  Try and identify the tree frogs and insects we hear at night.

P= "Lord,  You know that ugly seasons of all sorts challenge me to see Your gifts of beauty.  Help me to remember that Your beauty is always there.  I just need to look beyond the circumstances.  I praise You that You have done wonderful things, and that your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.  You are still working in the same ways, regardless of how ugly things may look.  I thank and praise You for all of this, in Jesus' name, Amen."

 And there is this week's Sunday Scripture!  I pray it's a blessing to someone.