SEEING GOD IN FAMILIAR PLACES

READ:

Isaiah 6:1-6

The whole earth is full of

His glory! –Isaiah 6:3

Because of where I live, I’m treated to spectacular displays of the magnificent, creative glory of God.  Recently, on a drive through the woods, I was struck with a breath-taking display of deep rich reds and a variety of yellows that decorated the trees of autumn-all artfully arranged against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky.

And soon, as the temperatures plummet and winter blows in, I’ll be reminded that no two snowflakes are ever the same as they pile on top of one another to create a rolling landscape of pristine white drifts.  After that will come the miracle of spring, when that which seemed hopelessly dead bursts into life with buds and blossoms that will grace the meadows with a multiplicity of colors.

Wherever we look in the world around us, we see evidence that “the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3).  What is amazing is that the creation that surrounds us is damaged by sin (see Romans 8:18-22), yet God has seen fit to grace our fallen landscape with those loving brushstrokes of His creative hand.  It serves as a daily reminder that the beauty of His grace covers our sin and that His love for that which is fallen is always available to us. –Joe Stowell

Lord, may we be ever mindful of Your grace and love

in all that surrounds us.  Thank You for making Yourself

visible through the beauty of Your creation.  Teach us

to look beyond the beauty to see Your hand at work.

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Never pass up an opportunity to enjoy

nature’s beauty-it’s the handwriting of God.

INSIGHT

Isaiah 6 records a face-to-face encounter between Isaiah the prophet and his holy God.  The people of Judah needed to be given the divine message to repent or face military defeat and deportation.  To prepare Isaiah to boldly deliver this message, the Lord revealed His holiness (vv.1-4).  In response, Isaiah was convicted of and cleansed of his own sinfulness (vv.5-7).  He was then told that his message would fall upon deaf ears and that Judah would be carried away into exile (vv.9-12).  Despite this bad news, the hope of a faithful remnant was predicted (v.13).  Today the gospel of God’s holiness and Christ’s redemption still falls on ears that are either receptive or resistant.

Have a blessed day.

God Our Creator’s Love Always

Unity & Peace