This is Good News!

Scripture

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called mighty oaks,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Observation

Here in this Old Testament prophetic book, we hear the good news of the gospel! Jesus quotes this passage in Luke 4 in reference to his own ministry – this is such a beautiful passage of how God will restore his people, and their relationship with him.

Check out this list:

• good news to the poor
• bind up the broken-hearted
• proclaim freedom for the captives,
• release from darkness for the prisoners
• the year of the LORD’s favor,
• the day of vengeance of our God,
• to comfort all who mourn,
• provide for those who grieve in Zion,
• to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
• the oil of joy instead of mourning,
• a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
• They will be called mighty oaks, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

This is good news!

Application

I am not sure how to apply this – other than to be in awe again, of what God has done for me in the person of Jesus!

Prayer

Prophecy fulfilling God, bring these words to fruition. May it be so, Amen!

Eat this Book

Scripture

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but ‘in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.’ “ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. (Revelation 10:9-10)

Observation

The angel instructs John to ingest the scroll containing the prophecy. If he is to be a prophet, he cannot merely read the words, they must come from within.

Recently, Eugene Peterson published a book entitled, Eat This Book, in this book Peterson uses this image from Revelation to make clear what the intent of Christians reading the Bible is. We are not only to read for information, but we are to ingest the message so that we can live it out as prophets and priests. An excellent book that I commend to you.

Application

As I have worked through the Bible this year (and plan to do again in the New Year) my goal has not been to get all the way through the Bible, but rather that by God’s Holy Spirit, his word would get all the way through me. I have chosen to eat this book – and oh, what a feast!

Prayer

Make these words your words of life to me! Amen.

what the Spirit says to the churches

Scripture

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:29)

Observation

Oh that Jesus would speak like this today! In a world where there is division and strife, quarreling and polarization the Church desperately needs to hear from Jesus. I am not deluded enough to believe that all the churches would receive congratulatory words from ‘the one who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.’ This did not happen in John’s day and wouldn’t in ours either. But to hear clearly what the Spirit says to this church is my deep desire! I don’t want our lampstand to be removed; I don’t want the calamity that could to befall us. I want Bethany Covenant Church to regain it’s initial love that has been lost; I want us to stand firm in the midst of changing culture; I want us to hear Jesus say, “well done!”

Application

I know that God continues to speak – the issue is not as much with the speaking as it is in the hearing. I will commit to spending time in prayer listening to what the Spirit would say to this church.

Prayer

Speak, Lord, for your church is listening. Amen.

What are you buying?

Scripture

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.” (Isaiah 55:1-2)

Observation

Great questions for this time of year! As people are looking for the best deals in order to buy Christmas gifts, Isaiah lifts up the questions: “why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”

The word of the Lord through his prophet Isaiah offers an alternative: “Listen to me.” I find that the juxtapositioning of buying and listening is striking. Do not spend, do not labor for things, instead: LISTEN. When we listen, we are able to do what is listed in the verse above: buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Doesn’t that sound good?!

Application

In this season of buying and laboring. I will also listen.

Prayer

Generous Lord, give me the wisdom to know on what I should spend money and labor. I want this ‘richest of fare’ that you offer. Help me – even in the busyness – to listen. Amen.

Good News from the Prophet

Scripture

“Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Observation

The prophet Isaiah has comforting words for the people: God’s love for them is unfailing – it will never be shaken. This is one of those verses that is syrupy sweet and can be taken out of context and applied to our own lives. But in its original context the Lord is encouraging his people who have just come through a tremendous ordeal. This promise is not to save us from calamity; the promise that even through shaking mountains and removed hills God’s love will be steady.

Application

I will remember today that God’s unfailing love does not save me from disaster, but is with me through it all!

Prayer

Covenant God, remember your unfailing love for me. When it feels like my world is turned upside down, have compassion on me! Amen

By My Spirit

Scripture

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6)

Observation

Zechariah was prophet during the time of rebuilding the Temple and the walls around Jerusalem after their captivity. His oracles are about hope and restoration. This is a timely verse for Bethany Covenant Church, too. As we look at rebuilding and venturing into areas many of our congregation have not been, namely the Healthy Missional Church, we need words from the Lord. Here God’s word is clear: the rebuilding will not be done by human might, or by the power of its leaders – but by the Spirit of the Living God!

Application

If we undertake the revitalization of our church by our own might or power the endeavor will fail. We need it to be done by the Spirit of God.

Prayer

O Breath of life, come sweeping thru us,
Revive Thy church with life and pow’r;
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
And fit Thy church to meet this hour.

O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
Till humbly we confess our need;
Then in Thy tenderness remake us,
Revive, restore, for this we plead.

O Breath of love, come breathe within us,
Renewing thought and will and heart;
Come, Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
Revive Thy church in ev’ry part.

O Heart of Christ, once broken for us,
‘Tis there we find our strength and rest;
Our broken, contrite hearts now solace,
And let Thy waiting church be blest.

Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating,
While harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive, us Lord, the world is waiting,
Equip Thy church to spread the light.

Hymn: O Breath of Life, Covenant Book of Worship #599

Lyrics: Bessie Porter Head
Music: Mary Jane Hammond

The End of My Responsibility

Scripture

But I said, “I have labored in vain;
I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand,
and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:4)

Observation

Isaiah recognizes here what is important is what comes from God. We are called to do our part, and God takes care of the rest. The prophet feels that nothing has come of his work – but the growth is not his responsibility, and his reward will come from God’s hand.

Application

Sometimes the work of a pastor is difficult – it can feel like I’ve labored in vain. Change takes time, and takes people who are willing. I need to be reminded regularly where my responsibilities end. As I understand it, my calling is to be faithful to the work God has for me. I am to preach, teach, lead, counsel; the results of these actions are not my responsibility. I plant, another waters, but it is God who brings the growth…

Thanks be to God for the freedom this brings!

Prayer

Show me, Lord, where to plant, where to lead, where to prune, or teach and I will do that. Then, Lord, give me the patience to step back and make room for your Holy Spirit to work and bring growth. Thank you for the privilege of partnering with you in your work here on earth! Amen.

who knows best

Scripture

This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48.17)

Observation

Here God identifies himself as the one who knows best. He knows what is best and the way we should go. It’s nice to see this so clearly laid out. I often think I know what’s best for myself, and attempt to direct myself in the way I think I should go. This verse clearly says differently.

Application

At Bethany Covenant Church we are in a period of time where we are discerning what comes next: will the church close, merge, or continue forward with renewed vision. In this time we as a church need to be seeking God. After all, it is the Lord our God who teaches us what is best for us, who directs us in the way we should go. So, let’s ask. Let us inquire of God what is best for us, and what is the way we should go!

Prayer

Lord, you teach us what is best for us, and direct us in the way that we should go. Teach, direct, we want to learn and be directed. Give us the strength and courage to follow and obey. Amen.

Do not Fear, for I…

Scripture

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;”

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you;” (Isaiah 43:1,5)

Observation

Twice in this chapter, the Israelites are told to not fear. Although the world around them is in calamity, although all else looks doubtful, God charges his prophet to give the news, “do not fear”! What is more striking than even the command to abandon fear is what follows. Do not fear for I God himself is the reason to not fear. God says, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.’ ‘Do not be afraid, for I am with you.’ Our remedy for fear is God himself!

Application

When I am drawn into fear, or find myself focusing on the negative situation around me, or the one that may come… someday. I will strive to remember that because of God I need not fear!

God has redeemed me!

God is with me!

Prayer

Powerful, fear-banishing God, thank you for redeeming me, thank you that you are always with me. When all else seems dark, please remind me of these precious verses of courage. Amen!

Day of Rest

There is no assigned reading for the Book-at-a-Time Bible Reading Plan.

Each seventh day, and some days at the end of the month the plan has provided a day of reflection. Please use these days to meditate more deeply on something that was significant in the past week, to catch up on any missed readings, or to revisit favorite or recently read passages.