A REFUGE FROM THE STORM
I was TOTALLY blessed today when I read this portion of Isaiah's prophetic prayer in chapter 25, O LORD, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble. Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear and will never be rebuilt. Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory; ruthless nations will revere you. But to the poor, O LORD, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall, or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. You cool the land with the shade of a cloud. So the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled. In Jerusalem,the LORD Almighty will spread a wonderful feast for everyone around the world. It will be a delicious feast of good food, with clear, well-aged wine and choice beef. In that day he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. He will remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people. The LORD has spoken! In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God. We trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" This is all wonderful, but in our busy lives, let's also remember what the LORD says a few chapters earlier, But all your feverish plans are to no avail because you never ask God for help. Heavenly Father, thank You that you are our refuge from the storms of life. LORD, please forgive us for not asking You for help in all our plans. We need You more than we realize! Thank You, LORD Jesus, for setting us free through the Cross and thank You for the abundant life You give us. May we never forget Your promises and may we always be quick to repent when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. Amen!