Shabbat Shalom. Peace.

Posted on by richlyspeaking

“Shabbat Shalom!” This is the greeting each Friday evening by Jewish people everywhere. May the peace of the Sabbath be yours. Maybe tonight, it’s more of a virtual salutation.

Peace. Rest.

There are two candles lighted at the beginning of the Shabbat celebration each Friday evening. Tradition holds that the first is called the Creation candle. The second light is the Redemption candle. Everything God creates, He has a plan for redemption. We can rejoice in His plan of redemption for us all.

May you find His true peace and rest during this very trying season. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

And one of the key blessings of Shabbat: “May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD turn His face towards you and give you His (eternal, loving and grace-filled) peace.” (Numbers 2:24-26, NIV).

Indeed. Let’s pause tonight, open your hands and your heart and find His peace.

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 59. God’s Gifts to Us: Repentance, Redemption, Salvation, Spirit.

Posted on by richlyspeaking
Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

 

Isaiah 59.

This highlights in a very straightforward manner the cycle of sin, acknowledgment of wrongdoing which leads to repentance, and His gracious redemption.

Sin. 
“Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why he doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see his face.” (v2, CEV). That’s pretty significant, isn’t it? Ever wonder why your prayers might not be answered? I’m not saying this is the reason behind every non-answer from God. But, examining our own heart might be a first step towards hearing from Heaven.

Confession/ Repentance.
“Our wrongdoings pile up before you, God, our sins stand up and accuse us. Our wrongdoings stare us down; we know in detail what we’ve done: Mocking and denying God, not following our God, Spreading false rumors, inciting sedition, pregnant with lies, muttering malice. Justice is beaten back, Righteousness is banished to the sidelines, Truth staggers down the street, Honesty is nowhere to be found, Good is missing in action. Anyone renouncing evil is beaten and robbed.” (v12-15, MSG). We live in an evil time, as did Isaiah. The key to a right standing with God is getting to a place where we can see our sin and repent. Turning toward God starts in a posture of humility and confession.

Redemption.
“God looked and saw evil looming on the horizon – so much evil and no sign of Justice… so He did it Himself, took on the work of Salvation, fueled by His own righteousness.” (v15, MSG). The Almighty turned to His one and only Son to provide our redemption. Thank you, God! “For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in him will never perish but experience everlasting life.” (John 3:16, TPT). Yep! He did it Himself. Wow!

Our Future.
“The Lord has promised to rescue the city of Zion and Jacob’s descendants who turn from sin.  The Lord says: “My people, I promise to give you my Spirit and my message. These will be my gifts to you and your families forever. I, the LORD, have spoken.”” (v20-21, CEV).

Let us all be thankful for His work of redemption through Jesus and the promise of His Spirit to us all!

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.
(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 53. Creation and Redemption.

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 53.

How can one read this and not see that this is Jesus, our Messiah?

“He was looked down on and passed over, a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand. The fact is, it was our pains he carried,  our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. It was our sins. He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises, we get healed. We have all done our own thing, gone our own way, and God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong. On him. On him.” (parts of vs 2-6, MSG).

God had to come up with a plan for our redemption. For you and me. And Jesus followed the plan faithfully… humbly… because of His great love for us.

“Still, it’s what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life. And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.” (v10, MSG).

“Life. Life. And more life.” Where else do we see that phrase? Jesus says: “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10, MSG). That’s “life, life, and more life!”

And the reward for Jesus?

“Out of that terrible travail of soul, he’ll see that it’s worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many “righteous ones,” as he himself carries the burden of their sins. Therefore I’ll reward him extravagantly— the best of everything, the highest honors— Because he looked death in the face and didn’t flinch; because he embraced the company of the lowest. He took on his own shoulders the sin of the many, he took up the cause of all the black sheep.” (v10-12, MSG).

We are righteous because of what Jesus did… for us! It was God’s plan! Everything God creates He has a plan to redeem. For centuries, every Friday night Jewish people light two candles as they celebrate the Sabbath. The first is called the Creation candle. The second is called the Redemption candle. God created us and He has redeemed us because Jesus faithfully executed the plan. I’m so thankful for that! That plan IS Shabbat Shalom, the peace of the Sabbath.

Jesus did that for us… and that was 2000+ years ago. I wonder what are we doing for people even two years from now? 20 years from now? 200 years from now? We have been so blessed. How can we bless others? Is there any way we love others the way Jesus loved us?

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

 

Isaiah 35. Redemption, Gladness and Joy!

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 35.

What a joyful vision of redemption! All that was destroyed will be new again. Just two chapters prior (33:9) specific places that were wilted in shame, desolate  and experienced loss — Lebanon, Sharon and Carmel — are now called glorious, splendid and majestic. The Message calls these cities a gift, awesome, and stunning. (v1-2, MSG).

The same will be said of us… can be said of us even now, thanks to who were are in Jesus! Yes, now! You are a gift. You are stunning. You are glorious.

“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;  say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” (v3-4, NIV).

Said another way:

“Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right And redress all wrongs. He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” (v:3‭-‬4, MSG).

“Only the redeemed will walk there and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (v10, NIV).

This whole chapter is a beautiful picture of what is to come. Rivers of Living Water. Glorious flowers will burst forth and rejoice. The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The lame will walk.

Everything will be redeemed in His glory!

That’s our story, too. We have been redeemed by the LORD. Will we walk along this Holy Road? Will we sing joyfully as we head up to Mt. Zion? We will allow gladness to overflow our hearts!

Yes! We will.

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.