Monday, April 20th, 2009

Monday, April 20th, 2009
Isaiah 40:17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst,I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

This morning is another day that God has given, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! This week is going to be action packed. A funeral today, a funeral tomorrow, possibly a trip to Seattle on either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning...not sure yet. Lots of work to do, lots of stuff to learn. In a word, I would probably describe what this week will be as...crazy. I will need the grace of God to help me through it, so that I do not either completely wear out, or dive-bomb spiritually.

Last week was a long week, I worked about 80 hours or so, and got much accomplished, but it was pretty costly. Spiritually, however, I was able to keep in the word, and was able to pray more frequently in short prayers.

At any rate, the verse I will meditate on is taken from Isaiah 40, verse 17. This verse deals with God's view of the poor and needy that are treated horribly by the world, and by His people. The book of Isaiah started off with God saying that sacrifices and offerings mean nothing, unless the poor and fatherless and widows (and those similar) are taken care of. God expects people who call on His name and are called by His name to be like Him and God cares for the oppressed.

God says that when the poor and needy are thirsty, and they are looking for water from all those around them, and no one gives them any. When the poor and needy look for water, and are so thirsty that their tongue is deprived of its natural moisture, and they are with such a thirst, that it must be quenched, then there is One who will look after them. God, merciful and gracious, full of love and kindness will hear their cry, and answer them by providing for their thirst.

God says that when they get into this situation, that even though men may refuse to help, though men may refuse to aid them in their time of need, that God will not leave them to die of thirst, but God will not forsake them. God is so gracious and merciful to those who are in need and will provide for them.

God despises the proud and arrogant. God despises those who do not take care of the poor and needy, because God cares greatly for them.

So here I sit, and hear about how God cares for the poor and needy, those who thirst. I remember how I was the one who thirsted. I was the one whose tongue was parched. I had no hope, was without God in the world, and had nothing to live for. Yet, God in His infinite mercy, came down and gave me to drink out of the wells that produce living water. That well is Jesus Christ, who has given me drink, and now I thirst no longer, except I long for more of Christ to drink. This He gives me.

Oh, my soul, Christ is the living water, He is the One who provides for the thirsty, He is the One who helps the fatherless and widow and poor. Listen to Christ this morning, run to Christ this morning. Remember, oh my soul, that your only hope is in Jesus, and He will provide for you. Also, my soul, remember the poor and needy, help those who have no hope, give them the light of Jesus Christ today. In the name of Christ, amen.