Chose

Word Day 13 Chosen, Appointed, Loved, Persecuted

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Read His Words Before Ours!

John 15:9-25
Luke 7:17-30
John 17:13-26
Isaiah 42:1-9

Word, Day 13

The heady scent of roasted lamb mingled with melting wax as the disciples gathered around the low table with Jesus for another Passover feast. Though familiar, something entirely other stirred as Jesus prayed, broke bread, and passed the cup.

They ate, He served them, then, in sweet intimacy, Jesus prayed words of life over His brothers, these chosen ones…

You did not choose me, but I chose you. (John 15:16)

Chosen
When I was eight, a recurring nightmare haunted me for 3 consecutive nights. In vivid detail, I watched a gunman murder me, but then, after multiple nights, I saw Jesus stand in the gap, dying the death intended for me. Jesus chose me to be His. He invited me to believe that, though my sin separated me from the holiness of God, He still chose to rescue me and pay for my sin.

Scripture is bursting with biographies of those God has chosen for Himself. He delights in transforming the ordinary and broken, the shame-filled and forgotten, into lives brimming with hope and purpose.

Abraham, who waited decades for God’s promise to be fulfilled, was chosen.
Isaiah, the most well-known prophet to Israel, was chosen.
Mary, the mother who carried the very Son of God, was chosen.

Each was called out, away from the life they’d once lived, awakened to a new existence and ushered in by the delightful choice of the God who longs for all to call Him Father.

I appointed you to go and produce fruit. (John 15:16)

Appointed
Those who sit with me in conversation long enough to hear my heart know I’ve repeated, “I just want my life to matter.” Maybe it’s that I’m racking up the birthdays, or because my oldest is leaving home. The scenes of my life keep shifting and I wonder over and over, “Does this matter?”

The same love that motivated the heart of God to choose me, also appointed me, and all who accept His invitation. He smiles with pleasure as He intentionally floods each chosen life with purposed appointing. He appointed me to school my kids, gather women to study Scripture, make yummy meals (and some that set off the smoke alarm), and walk alongside my husband.

Here’s the incredibly beautiful thing about being appointed by God. It’s as variegated as African dresses and yet as uniformly connected as the constant elements of our universe.
Your appointment looks different from mine.

Zacchaeus was appointed to give away his possessions.
Levi was appointed to invite his friends to dinner, so he could introduce them to Jesus.
John was appointed to preach a message of repentance in the wilderness.

All who answer God’s calling of being chosen are lovingly appointed to bear fruit for His kingdom. Every fruit, regardless of shape or color, is seeded with love.

This is what I command you: Love one another. (John 15:17)

Loved
We’d been married for seven years and were tanking fast. My husband was pursuing his dream of seminary, and I was fighting demons from my abusive past. In the midst of my self-hatred and spurning of God, my husband announced he was leaving seminary to fight for me. He said he had no plans to return; that I was more important. What manner of love didn’t expect my perfection, but just loved?

No disciple of Jesus escapes His mighty call to allow love to color every aspect of life. Pouring the cereal, changing the diaper, shopping for groceries, arguing with your spouse, listening to a friend, going to church, making coffee.
All of it has been designed as an act of worship, of love.

When Jesus overturned tables, pleading others to know the heart of God, He loved.
When Paul surrendered his position to become an itinerant preacher, he loved.
When Lydia opened her home to missionaries, she loved.

Every one of Christ’s disciples were chosen and appointed to lead lives of lavish love.

If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

Persecuted
It’s not popular, this dying to self. Strange, isn’t it, that true, authentic, in-the-dirt-with-you love also carries the risk of ridicule. When we stand for the unjustly treated, when we invest in friendships with those of a different skin color, when we invite the trans-gender to dinner, when we sit at the bar with the promiscuous and hear their story, mainstream Christianity pulls back their religious garments in “righteous” outrage.

To follow Jesus is to fling wide the door of persecution, and understand that being chosen, appointed, and loved, means that suffering is worth it.

The faithful eleven who sat around Jesus that Passover night would all be persecuted for their faith. As they championed the kingdom work of spreading the news that God chooses, appoints, and loves, they would feel the knife of persecution.

But none felt it as deeply as Christ Himself.
All who follow Jesus with their whole lives are each chosen, appointed, loved, and persecuted, because Jesus was first.

This (Jesus) is my servant; I (God the Father) strengthen Him,
this is my chosen one; I delight (love) in Him. (Isaiah 42:1)
I will appoint You to be a covenant for the people. (Isaiah 42:6)
He (Jesus) was pierced (persecuted) because of our (humanity’s) rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities. (Isaiah 53:5)

Sister, you, are chosen by the Christ who sacrificed Himself for you.
The God who crafted the color of your eyes has appointed you for good kingdom work.
The Jesus who sat at the Passover feast, sits with you now in the middle of your mess to say you are loved.
This same God knows that following Him results in persecution because it isn’t popular to love like Him. But He promises to fill you with His Spirit, strengthen you, and sing over you, “Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)

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Redeemed Day 11 The Waiting Game

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ruth 3:1-18
Deuteronomy 25:5-10
Philippians 4:6-7

Redeemed, Day 11

Fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. These words describe the current emotions of many Americans. As I write, the world is experiencing a pandemic that has taken thousands of lives and impacted countless others.

Uncertainty pervades our country right now. Some are worried about contracting the virus or losing a loved one who is already medically compromised, while others are overwhelmed with financial concerns as their jobs are impacted. Businesses have closed and we have been instructed to “shelter-in-place” and to practice “social distancing” to try to stop the virus from spreading too quickly.

We have been given an end date for our stay at home order, and then watched as the date was extended. Disagreements abound as some are concerned about opening businesses too quickly, jeopardizing safety, while others are concerned about the effects of a broken economy.

Couples are postponing weddings. Graduations have been pushed back or moved online. Medical and dental procedures have been put on hold, and funerals are limited.

When will it be safe to go out? What will happen in the days to come? When will we be able to go back to the life we knew as normal? What are we to do in our uncertainty? How do we handle the waiting?

In the book of Ruth, we are introduced to two women who also faced uncertain times. As we’ve learned, Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, were both widows. Upon their return to Bethlehem, Ruth couldn’t have known what the future held for her. But she trusted and respected Naomi, complying with Naomi’s suggestions for provision.

Naomi was aware of a kinsman-redeemer, a man named Boaz.  A kinsman redeemer was a close family member who agreed to marry a widow, providing financially for her and carrying on the family name.

Naomi gave instructions to Ruth, to approach Boaz as kinsman redeemer and trust his noble character would move him to treat Ruth with honor.

Just as Ruth had a redeemer in Boaz, we, too, have a Redeemer.
His name is Jesus.

Since sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, we all are broken.
We experience pain, loss, and disappointment.
We cause the same and continue the cycle of brokenness.
Ultimately, we are separated from the Father by our sin.

We need someone who will meet us in our need, just as Boaz did Ruth, and redeem us, protecting our future. Jesus willingly came to earth, in the form of a man while fully God, to do just that. 

He experienced pain, scorn, shame and rejection. And then, He went to the cross, to put to death sin and shame on our behalf. To pay our innumerable debts, once and for all.

He chose us. He chose to love us enough to buy our freedom and our security for eternity.  He longs for us to come to Him, leaving behind our sin and shame and following Him as we journey on this earth. He knows there will be pain, but He promises to never leave or forsake us while we finish our days here before He welcomes us into eternity with Him!

What are you waiting for today? Is it a job or a promotion? Or maybe a husband? A child? Are you awaiting test results from a physician? Are you praying fervently for a family member to come to Jesus or to return from their wandering? Are you waiting to see the loved one you’ve been separated from during this time of uncertainty?

Paul admonishes us in Philippians to not be anxious for the future, but to pray and give our concerns to God with thanksgiving, allowing His peace to guard our hearts in Christ Jesus.

Jesus is near. In the waiting, He is near. Wait with hope, remembering He who calls us remains faithful to His promise that He will never leave us. Though our prayers may not always be answered the way we want or expect, we can trust that God is good, and one day we will see Him and realize He is the One we were waiting for all along!

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He Day 2 Elohim: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Elohim!

The Questions

1) What are the results of having a knowledge of God versus loving God? (verse 1)

2) What is the attitude Paul tells believers to take when it comes to serving the one true God in a society of many gods?

3) What was Paul trying to convey in verse 6?

1 Corinthians 8:1-6

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.

4 About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.

Original Intent

1) What are the results of having a knowledge of God versus loving God? (verse 1)
It is believed the phrase, “we all have knowledge”, was coined by the Corinthian believers in response to some of Paul’s teachings. It was also used by believers in dealing with the division caused by attending functions in idol temples and eating meat dedicated to temple idols (BibleRef.com). In asking Paul to decide between the two camps, Paul affirmed that yes an idol is nothing in the world, and there is no other God but one. (1 Corinthians 8:4) Therefore, if an idol is nothing, then the food dedicated to the idol is nothing as well. That appears to be a sound argument at face value. However, keeping in mind the current culture and sharp feelings based around idols and idol worship, the end result would be division and losing a member of Christ’s body. Paul used this as an opportunity to remind the Corinthians that those members of the body who seem weaker in knowledge (or understanding of the freedom we have in Christ) are necessary and important to the Body as a whole. For this reason, there should be no schism in the body, rather, the members should have the same care for one another regardless of viewpoints on issues that don’t really matter.  (1 Corinthians 12:22, 1 Corinthians 12:25) “For knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1) Having knowledge alone without love is not enough to care for one another. If a believer “has the gift of prophecy, faith to move mountains, and gives everything to the poor but has no love, it profits nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3) True love like Jesus’ love suffers long and is kind, does not seek its own and is not provoked. Love meets the weaker brother where they are and suffers loss for the sake of others. (1 Corinthians 13:4) This is why the one who chooses to love his brother or sister who he can see with his eyes, also loves the one true God he has not visibly seen. (1 Peter 1:8)

2) What is the attitude Paul tells believers to take when it comes to serving the one true God in a society of many gods?
The city of Corinth was a major trading center attracting various people from across the empire. Along with the influx of people, gods from different cultures took root in the city. The temple of Aphrodite sat on top of the city filled with the beckoning call of a thousand prostitutes; while the Isthmus games honored the god Poseidon. The cult of Isis had an emphasis on gaining wisdom, and the cult of Mithras was enthralled with mysteries. As part of the Roman empire, the worship of Caesar as Lord was required by every citizen and subject. In a culture saturated with so many elohim, Paul declares, “Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:6) For Paul, who preached the gospel mainly to the Gentiles, turning to the one true God (Elohim) from idols was a frequent topic among churches. Often, Paul told Gentile believers of Elohim coming in the form of human flesh to reconcile the world back to Himself. By trusting in the one true Elohim, Gentile believers would be rescued from the bondage of serving the many false elohim of the kingdom of darkness. “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1:13) The Greek word “true” in relation to the one “true” God is “alethinos”, meaning real, ideal, genuine. God Himself fulfills the very meaning of His name. He is the “true” God sharply contrasting all other false gods”. (Strong 228) God has declared, “For the Lord your God, is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God.” (Deuteronomy 10:17) There is no comparison between the Almighty Elohim and the cluster of gods dominating the Greek society. Only the true God is eternal and everlasting; His kingdom resides as a seed inside of every one of His children. Those kingdom seeds would then go on to grow and uproot the culture and gods of the Roman empire.

3) What was Paul trying to convey in verse 6?
The apostle Paul needed to lay a new foundation of thought when it came to the worship of the one true God. Previously, in their ignorance, the Gentile believers worshipped idols made with their own hands of silver, gold, and wood. Whenever disaster struck or provision was needed, supplication was made to various gods at family altars and temples in the midst of the city. False gods were in every layer of society, entertainment, family, and business. Anything the human heart could want, there was a god promising to give it, but the Elohim of Israel was altogether different. The Almighty was not a god who was far off, detached from His worshippers in a temple accessible only through blood and offerings. The kingdom of the Almighty was now with His children, inside their hearts and minds. (Luke 17:21) God was with them in their sufferings and every part of life’s journey. (Philippians 3:10) To pivot to a form of worship that no longer had sacrifices and offerings as a barrier was revolutionary. Now, God could be accessed because He, not us, paid the price for reconciliation. Just like Christ and the Father were one before time began, now every believer is one with Christ in God. Now, no longer are there varying degrees of differentiation between slave or free, Jew or Gentile, but all are one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28) For in Christ we live, move and have our being. Christ Jesus is the vine and the Church are His branches. (John 15:5) This holy vine, born of incorruptible seed, provides all things and is the very life-sustaining force of the Church.

Everyday Application

1) What are the results of having a knowledge of God versus loving God? (verse 1)
One of the most familiar phrases uttered today is “my truth”. The concept is, although my truth may differ from your truth, both truths are equally valid. Under this view, all truths are valid and no correction is necessary because a single standard for “truth” does not exist. What happens in a community of believers that each holds onto their own version of the truth? In Paul’s day, there was division because of personal choices coming under scrutiny by other believers, the same conflict continues today. For example, some Christians practice yoga simply for its physical benefits alone. To them, it’s simply a low impact exercise that’s easy on the joints. For other believers, the postures themselves are prayer poses dedicated to the worship of Hindu deities. At one point, I was faced with this very dilemma of what to do about an exercise I loved. A child asked me if it was ok to do yoga because their parents said it was worshipping Hindu gods. I could have told them “my truth”, that the stretches were nothing and the Hindu gods are nothing. (1 Corinthians 8:4) I weighed my words carefully because I could see that my liberty to exercise how I wanted, would cause harm to the spiritual conscience of a child. (1 Corinthians 8:7) In the eyes of the child, the exercise was a thing offered to an idol. At this point, do I choose knowledge, or do I choose to love? I chose knowledge, and after a while I came to see the conflict I helped create for this child. If this was ok to do, what else is ok to do? I finally decided to walk in love, for I couldn’t let my truth wound the child’s conscience and thereby sin against Christ.

2) What is the attitude Paul tells believers to take when it comes to serving the one true God in a society of many gods?
At the time of this writing, the entire world has been upended because of an unseen virus. Everything society has raised up to be pursued and worshipped has come crashing down. The idols of centuries ago have simply changed form and are still being worshipped in these modern times. Money, sports, education, fame, and social media influence, our culture’s idols, have been taken away as a result of the virus. For some, well actually, for most people, what was once a sure thing and a safe place is now gone, and for many, fear has come in its stead. Yet this one truth holds firm. The same God who covered the children of Israel during the plagues is the same God who will cover His church. The one true God is the all-sufficient one, El Shaddai is His name. The psalmist David said, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (El Shaddai).” (Psalm 91:1) When all the works of your hands have been removed, trust in Christ for He is a sure foundation, our chief cornerstone! The Word of God says, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7:4-27) Watching everything fall away into sinking sand may be terrifying, but as the sand falls away the solid rock of Christ Jesus appears under your feet to sustain and keep you. God is still in control! In Haggai, God says, “And I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of Hosts.” (Haggai 2:7) Although you see everything around you shaking, God is able to keep you from falling. Because He lives, you live, do not fear!

3) What was Paul trying to convey in verse 6?
These uncertain times have placed us all in an unexpected place of stillness, and so we return to the beginning for answers. In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. (John 1:1) It is in that space of the beginning we find Christ waiting for us to invite Him into our everyday lives once again. The Holy God who has made all things, reminds us that everything we need is found in Him alone. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Despite the tribulations we are walking in right now, be of good cheer, for the Word is near you, in your mouth and your heart. (Romans 10:8) God is near you, and in you, for you are His beloved child if you have surrendered your whole heart to Him. In times of suffering, He promised to be with us all the more, for His grace is sufficient for us. Paul said, “that is why for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) We, as believers, are strong because we are hidden in Christ, the all-sufficient one, El Shaddai.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Our Current Study Theme!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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The GT Weekend! ~ Here Week 1

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The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) Have you ever considered what that pivotal moment of revelation to the un-supposing shepherds was like from the perspective of the angels? Those beings who had also witnessed, and been part of, so many other pivotal moments throughout history. Those beings who adore God with their entirety for eternity. This moment was the one God had perfectly chosen to announce the arrival of His own Son; redemption wrapped in flesh. Take a few moments today and sit with the Lord in silence. Find a dark, quiet closet or bathroom and hold up your hands, or bow down your head, or lay prostrate, focusing on exactly who this Christ is in His fullness. Worship Him. Repeat, Holy! Holy! Holy! in awe, and rejoice in this Salvation revealed through Christ!

2)  Suppose for just a moment that you are Mary this December. Rejected, object of scorn, having no concept that one day people would honor her for her humble part of the Savior’s entrance to His world. As every parent will quickly attest, we all feel ill-equipped and profoundly confused at this glorious task of parenting. How much more so, Mary! Yet, the Lord used, and chose, her. Mary was favored by God to carry His Son into the world, but just as equally, He has chosen each of us to do His work, fulfilling specific kingdom purposes while we live out everyday lives. Every single believer has a calling. Are you stepping into yours with wholehearted humility and obedience, even with the fear and questions that surely tumble to the surface of your heart? Take courage, Sister! The Lord is equipping you, just as He did with Mary!

3) Is anything impossible for the Lord? This was surely part of Joseph’s wrestling as he decided what to do in his dilemma. Either Joseph could trust God, and follow in obedience, despite the fact he couldn’t make sense of it, or he could walk away. We know the rest of the story, and we know what Joseph would have been walking away from as the earthly father of Jesus, but he did not have that benefit. Do you see yourself here in this perspective of Christmas? Is the Lord calling you to trust Him, even though you don’t see how all the pieces fit together? Have you decided God is worthy of your trusting obedience? Or will you walk away?

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Isaiah 7:14 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign:
See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Prayer Journal
How undeserving we are, Lord! Sinful, we have rejected and scorned You, mocking Your holiness, yet You chose to come to save us. Your coming was not haphazard, You lovingly marked out the perfect time to come to us. You announced Your arrival, told of Your mighty rescue, and extended Your salvation to all humanity throughout all time. Throughout the entirety of time, we can trace Your hand of love as You designed to make Yourself known. Such love is too extravagant for me to understand! Lord, make my heart obedient in response to Your love! Teach me to love others, to share this incredible grace with the world around me.

Worship Through Community

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Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

Worship VI Day 7 Isn’t He?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Isn’t He?!

The Questions

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage?

Isaiah 43:1-7

Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in my sight
and honored, and I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you
and nations instead of your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Original Intent

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?
God chose the nation of Israel to be the people through whom Jesus Christ’s human ancestry lineage would descend from. Since the beginning of time, God set apart Israel as His chosen race through whom He would bless the whole world through Jesus, the Savior from sin and death, the heart condition of the entire human race. (Deuteronomy 10:15, John 3:16) After Adam and Eve’s fall into sinfulness, effectively separating them for eternity from their once-delighted-in relationship with God, God promised a Messiah would one day come, crushing Satan’s head of power, and would bring restoration back again. (Genesis 3:15) Through the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God continued to confirm again and again throughout the generations, the Messiah would come through His people, Israel. (Genesis 12:1-3) Jesus Christ is the ultimate reason why God chose Israel to be His special people. It wasn’t because they were stronger, or more qualified, or possessed more wealth, He simply decided to set His love upon them in order to highlight His glory. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8) God called Israel to be a distinct people for God’s glory and purposes. Israel was set apart to be a beacon of light in a darkened sinful world.

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?
The Old Testament is a chronicle of Israel’s repeated failure to obey God. Israel refused to keep His commandments and statues. While God had set them apart for holiness and to live out the righteousness of God in a pagan culture, they failed continuously. (Psalm 78:10-11, 40-42, 56-57. (“Ephraim” in these passages is understood as greater Israel) Remember the only suffering Israel experienced are direct results of her own sinful choices. However, Isaiah 43 paints a stark picture of restoration by divine grace set against the dark backdrop of Israel’s rejection, arrogance, and pride. Isaiah’s words were a reminder to the people of Israel that their identity as a nation existed because of God and His magnificent love for them. Who they were as a people was rooted in their relationship to God and who He was as the Creator and Sustainer. He was in control at all times and their destiny depended on Him and His faithfulness. In Isaiah 43:1-7, we see Jehovah God assure His people with tender love that they need not fear for HE created, formed, redeemed, and called them. He would faithfully be with them in flood or fire. God would be their final deliverance.

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage?
Chapter 42 details out Israel’s sickening rebellion and leaves no question as to God’s rightfully justified anger towards them. Yet, with one sweeping voice of love, God speaks truth over His people. A truth they must hold tightly to, even in the middle of the reality of their sin and God’s wrath. Through Isaiah’s prophecy of the yet-to-come punishment for their sin, God also declares His unchanging love for them, as if in the same breath. We must remember this original context when we read this precious passage, as it makes its truths all the sweeter. These great and precious promises are originally directed to Israel as solid reminders of what was true. Truths God wanted Israel to hold in the forefront of their minds despite the consequences forthcoming for their sin were: 1) Israel Belongs To The Lord. Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (verse 1)
This is the basis by which Israel can stand with no fear! 2) Israel Will Be Preserved By God. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. (verse 2) God’s promise to keep Israel never waivers. 3) Israel Is Precious And Loved. You are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you. (verse 4) Despite Israel’s waywardness, God chooses to love with intensity. (Daniel 7:6) 4) Israel Will Be Whole. I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. (verses 5-6) One day, God will make Israel whole again. One day, all will be healed where it was once wounded and broken.

Everyday Application

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?
The promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would save us from Death, which is the natural consequences for our choice to reject God and His righteousness, instead choosing our own sin. This Messiah was destined to come through the line of a small nation, who had done absolutely nothing to deserve such rich kindness or heritage towards them. Deuteronomy 14:2 says of Israel, “For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God, and God has chosen you to be His treasured people from all nations that are on the face of the earth.” God did not choose them because they were holy, He made them holy because He chose them. This is a beautiful picture of God’s love towards every human heart! We have done nothing to deserve God’s rich love and mercy towards us, but He still chooses us, calls us into His heritage by making us His children, and purposing our lives to be shining examples of His glory to all people. Just as God used Israel to teach the world about His character and glorious nature, so is the calling of every heart turned towards Christ. Israel exemplified brokenness, while God’s amazing grace and redemptive love declared His glory!

Today, in 2019, in all of our brokenness, every born-again believer is called and set apart to share the gospel, which is the glory of God! God uses our brokenness today just as He did with Israel to highlight His kind grace, tender love, and redemptive power.

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?
Israel, time and time again, failed to be obedient to God, they were exiled and scattered around the globe, separated spiritually from God. Israel owed God everything, not the least of which was their origin as a nation. He created them. Yet, regardless of how Israel failed, their shortcomings neither deterred God from pursuing them every single time they rejected Him, nor did it disqualify them from still being used by God for God’s purposes. His purposes didn’t prevail because they were good. Not at all! His purposes prevailed because God was good for them. This IS the hope of the gospel! For every heart surrendered to Jesus Christ, the Promised Messiah, this very reality is lived out in our everyday lives as often as we breathe. Christ IS our good, for us, on our behalf, despite how many times we might turn away and fail to follow Him. This is how He rescues us! Many Jews had no hope as they faced being exiled for their perpetual disobedience towards God, but Isaiah’s prophetic words encourage them to have NO FEAR. Why? The God of All had created, formed, and redemptively loved them. This very same God offers His unchanging love and “fear not” message to each of us today. Whatever the darkness you’re facing, the brokenness you’re hiding, or the fear you’re masking, God is pursuantly inviting you to return to His heart and know Him as Savior. Know Him as your everyday Savior. For every human being, our impending default assurance is eternal separation from God. This is a reality of which depths, I cannot imagine or grasp, but neither can I fully comprehend the lavish love of a God who pursues those trapped in darkness so He can rescue!

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage? 
Just as God was with Israel and declared His love for them, so is He with us today, also declaring His love. The imagery we first see with Israel, we see repeated again in our own, messy, sin-wrecked lives. Israel rebelled, and so do we. Israel’s consequence was severe, but so is ours. Israel needed a One Day Savior. A Messiah who would One Day make all things right, bring restoration, heal, and bind up what had been torn and broken. Don’t you feel the same ache? To have that One Day when all your fears are forever cast out, when every single tear will be redeemed, when every wound will be restored perfectly, and every loss will be rebirthed in newness of life? This is the hope of the Promised Messiah, this is the hope we have in Jesus! For every single person who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus to save them from their own sinfulness, our eternities are altered! Now WE belong to the Lord. …for you were bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:20) Now WE are preserved by God alone, not our works. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time. (1 Peter 1:5) Now WE are precious and loved by the Creator. Just as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. (John 15:9) Now WE are promised full redemption on the very same One Day by exactly the same Savior! Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4) Fear Not, WE are His redeemed!

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Captivating Day 10 Streams

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 19:1-10
Isaiah 43:19-20
John 7:37-39

Captivating, Day 10

Have you ever written someone off?
Whether in my mind or through my actions, I must admit I have!

I have viewed people as unworthy of investing in a relationship….
I’ve decided they were “too far gone”.
Or their outward appearance repelled me.
Or their beliefs/struggles made me uncomfortable.

Maybe you’ve witnessed a religious organization, or even your church excluding some….
People with tattoos.
Those who smoke, or are heavily pierced.
Promiscuous people.
People with different sexual orientations.

Transparently, I’ve written off someone from each group listed above.
God has shifted my heart towards people, but those God has most laid on my heart recently have been the homosexuals. To help me see His heart, He gave me a visual as I prayed over this and studied His Word.

For this picture, there’s a tree in the desert, barely holding onto life, and a stream of rushing water keeping the tree alive. The tree represents people in hard, difficult places in their lives. The desert represents the wilderness seasons in our lives. And the stream is believers that have living water to offer in that person’s wilderness season.

One Scripture the Lord used to teach my heart was John 7:38,
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said,
‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'”
Our hearts run with the overflow of Jesus’ love inside of us, pouring out to others in our lives. This verse has challenged me to be ready, no matter what, to willingly allow the overflow of my heart minister to others by the Spirit’s power. It has also softened my heart toward others, regardless of who they are or what they look like.
You never know what wilderness another person is walking through,
or how close they are to giving up.
Pour out His love like life-giving streams!

Another Scripture the Spirit used to teach me was Isaiah 43, specifically, verses 19-20, “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people.”

Isaiah is speaking about God’s heart for Israel to be shining witnesses of Him, His glory, and His work to the world. He is capable of amazing things, even in the midst of the wilderness seasons in our lives, including springing forth rivers in the deserts to sustain and encourage us. By trusting His heart, studying His Words in Scripture, and engaging in biblical community, He will bring peace and His power will flow through us.

Zacchaeus’ story paints a beautiful picture of Jesus’ loving, relational pursuit of us.
Jesus was simply passing through Jericho on His way to somewhere else when He intentionally stopped to engage Zacchaeus. One tax collector, despised and hated, wealthy beyond belief, but living in his own desert of loneliness and purposelessness, desperately needed a stream of hope and love more than even he realized.
Zacchaeus was “trying to see who Jesus was”. (Luke 19:3)

Jesus called out to Zacchaeus and, like a stream of refreshing water, climbed into his loneliness with him by bringing winsome friendship. As a result, Zacchaeus’ life was forever changed and dramatically made new. Jesus came to bring new life, to be a friend to sinners, and enter into dry, desert places to bring revival.

Jesus intentionally sought out those whom religion and society had written off.
He chose the outcasts.
He built relationships with the missional purpose of saving them for eternity and giving them purpose.

If we are to be like Him, and we are all called to be like Him,
then we should choose to enter into relationships with people
that may make us uncomfortable.
We are commissioned to intentionally engage in order to be a river of life for them in wilderness seasons, holding out the life-changing gospel that they too might be rescued.

In my own life, this has been a challenge to walk out.
I have many people in my life that are living homosexual and promiscuous lifestyles and you might too. I have asked God to help me build relationships that honor Him and bring dramatic life change.

I have intentionally built relationships with these people in my life. They have been seeking and searching and unfortunately, the people claiming the name of Christ in their lives have been very unloving toward them. But through our relationship, they have seen that not all believers are judgmental, that some are willing to enter into the uncomfortable conversations to understand and love and walk alongside in friendship.

I can see their hearts soften toward the things of the Lord. It is not my job to change them, but it is my job to love them regardless. They know that I don’t agree with their lifestyle, but they also know I love them for them.

I pray that through our relationship, they would see what God’s love is like and discover it’s Him they are most searching for.

Sisters, I pray we all choose to intentionally be streams of living water to those around us. Not to save them or change them, only Jesus can do that, rather to give them a drink of what Jesus’ love tastes like.

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