Behold our God

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post in the archives, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. I invite to you add in any reflections or comments you may have.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Epiphany: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Devotions: Ps 46, 96, 97, 100; Isa 52:7-10; Rev 21:22-27; Mt 12:14-21

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. So we need not fear in any circumstance. God is at the center of existence; in His holy city, a river flows from God’s throne through the city’s streets, making the residents glad. God takes care of everyone and everything that belong to Him. God is our Refuge. So let us meditate on God; let us be still and know I Am is God, exalted above the nations, and over all the earth. YHWH Sabaoth is with us, as our Savior. Let us sing to God a new song, blessing His name and recounting His salvation and grace day by day. Tell of His glory and His marvelous works among all the peoples. He is the One, the Living God; all other ‘gods’ are lifeless idols or created beings in rebellion against their Master and Maker. Ascribe glory and honor to our God. Let all creation exult in our Lord, He Who comes to judge the earth and all its people with His truth. Let us praise God together; let us serve Him with gladness and come before Him with singing. Know that YHWH is God; He made us, and we are His—His people and the sheep of His pasture. Come into His gates with thanksgiving; enter His courts with praise! Give thanks to God and bless His name. For YHWH is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations!

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who publish peace and remind us that our God reigns. Those who watch and pray are the first to sing for joy, as they behold the return of the Lord to Zion. Let every corner of Jerusalem break into song, for YHWH has comforted His people and redeemed His holy city. All nations and peoples will see the salvation of our God.

In God’s new Jerusalem, there is no temple, for the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple. It has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God is the city’s light and the Lamb is its lamp. By this holy light the nations will walk; the kings of the earth will bring their glory into God’s city. Its gates will never shut, for there is no night there! All that is good enters in, and nothing unclean, no one practicing abomination or falsehood, can enter God’s city—only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

The Pharisees sought to destroy Jesus; but Jesus avoided them and continued His work of healing the sick. He continually directed His followers not to make Him known. All this fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy: ‘Behold My servant, Whom I have chosen, My Beloved with Whom My soul is well pleased. I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not argue or cry aloud, nor will any hear His voice on the streets. He will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, until He brings justice to victory. And in His name the Gentiles have hope!’