Isaiah: Wonderful

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful… Isaiah 9:6 [KJV]

Saying that something or someone is “wonderful” is a common expression for most people.  Even in this jaded society, there are still many things that are capable of eliciting wonder and amazement.  A gorgeous sunset, an unexpected gift, the kindness of a stranger, a tremendous performance, an engrossing movie or book – the list could go on and on.  I recently attended a production of Hairspray at a local high school, and one performance was so outstanding, so over the top, that it was a natural thing for me to gush, “You were absolutely wonderful!!”

I asked all three of my medically isolated friends what was “wonderful” in their lives at that moment.  For Tom and Allen, their wives topped the list: their support, their tender loving care, their unconditional love.  Second place for both men went to their wonderful church family and friends.  I did not hear back from Ben, but I can attest with absolute certainty what was wonderful in his life:  he went home from a long stay in the hospital.  Home! For both Ben and Sarah, I know it was wonderful!

Little wonder, then, that the first name on Isaiah’s list for the child to be born would be Wonderful.   The birth of a baby is always an amazing occasion, but this one – God Himself packaged in human flesh – was and is the most wonderful Gift ever given to the human race.  That tiny infant - Immanuel, Messiah, the Holy One of Israel – is our Wonderful Savior.

Bow down before Him, love and adore Him,

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

Daniel/Isaiah: The Messiah [Anointed]

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto Messiah the Prince… Daniel 9:25a

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound... Isaiah 61:1

The meaning of Messiah is anointed one.  As a musician, I have conducted endless Christmas anthems, cantatas and carols that are built around the theme of the coming of the Messiah.  It was very interesting, then to discover that the name Messiah appears only three times in Scripture:  in the Daniel prophecy, and twice in the Gospel of John.  Andrew spends the day with Jesus, and then beckons his brother with the startling news: “We have found the Messiah.”  John 1:45 [KJV] 

When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth, he was called upon to read the Old Testament scripture in the synagogue service.  After being handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus read the ancient words of  Isaiah’s prophecy above, regarding the anointed one.  After he finished, he sat down and proclaimed, “Today this scripture is fulfilled to your ears”  [Luke 4:21]. When approached by the Samaritan woman at the well at Sychar, she spoke to Jesus about the coming Messiah.  He replied, “I that speak to you am He”  [John 4:26 KJV]. With both the synagogue crowd and His Samaritan audience of one, Jesus claimed for Himself the title of Messiah.

I have heard a message from the Lord.
He's revealing His purpose to me.
A virgin had a son, the Lamb of God, the Holy One
Messiah has come.

- Kelly Price

Isaiah: Holy One of Israel

And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.  The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.   Isaiah 29:18-19 [KJV]

Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped, Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing… Isaiah 35:5-6a [KJV]

What is holy?  Webster defines the word as “spiritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin; sinless; consecrated.”  The name in Hebrew, Qedôsh Yiśra’el, is defined as “A title of God ascribing to Him absolute perfection of character.”    The coming Deliverer was to be pure, sinless, holy.  When the angel Gabriel came to Mary with his astounding message, he proclaimed: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  [Luke 1:35 KJV]

Isaiah further reveals the focal point of the Holy One’s work: the hearing of the deaf would be restored, the blind would receive their sight, the lame would leap for joy, and those who could not speak would sound the praises of their Deliverer.  When the disciples of the imprisoned John the Baptist came to ask if Jesus was the One “that should come, or should we look for someone else?” [Luke 7:19-22], Jesus had them shadow Him for the day, then told them to go tell John what they had seen and heard:  the fulfillment of these prophecies from Isaiah.

I cannot begin to count the times in my life when I have longed for Him to walk among us here on earth – healing the blind, the physically disabled, the deaf, the lepers, and those with heart disease, hepatitis, mental illness, diabetes, all cancer, and every other affliction that haunts the human race.  It would only take a touch, a glance, or a spoken command  for one’s entire life to be changed.  However, Jesus has gently taught me over the years that He is here, through the power/presence of the Holy Spirit, through the constant watchcare of His angels, and His heart is always open to our prayers.  

 Holy, holy, holy, Holy is our God.

Glorious and beloved is the One adored.

Holy, holy, holy, Holy is the Lord.

Isaiah: Immanuel

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign:  Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.   Isaiah 7:14

Within the Jewish community, every family waited and watched for the Deliverer.  Every young girl knew that she might possibly be the mother of this promised One.  Apparently, however, they were not intimately acquainted with this prophecy, for when Gabriel came with his life-changing announcement, Mary did not immediately recognize herself as its fulfillment.

This verse spells out an amazing promise: the mother of Jesus would be a virgin, she would bear a son, and the child would be called Immanuel.  If we turn to the parallel fulfillment text in Matthew 1:20-23, we find the author commenting that Gabriel’s announcement to Joseph of the events surrounding the impending birth were a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. The name is a combination of two Hebrew words:  El [God] and Immānū [with us]. God with us. Isaiah uses the Hebrew form Immanuel; Matthew gives the Greek spelling Emmanuel.

From the time of Creation, God has desired to “dwell with us.”  Genesis 3 seems to indicate that God came down to walk with his children in the Garden of Eden in the “cool of the evening.”  After the children of Israel fled from Egypt and began their journey to the promised land, God spoke to Moses and said, “Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, so that I can live among them.” [Exodus 25:8 Message]   When God’s continuous messages of love and forgiveness through human messengers struggled to stem the rising tide of darkness, God sent Himself in the form of a helpless baby  - to be born, to live, and to die among us and for us.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us;  His name is called Emmanuel.

What's in a Name?

I will give thanks to the Lord according to His righteousness, 

and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.   

Psalm 7:17

What’s in a name?  In today’s society, it is mostly just that – a name.  Barnes & Noble stocks a large selection of baby name books for expectant parents to peruse.  A baby boy might be given his father’s name, as a Jr., the II or perhaps the IV.  Or the child might be named for a grandparent, a distant relative, or a historical figure.  Some parents make up a name, or take a common name and give it a unique spelling.

Proper names in Biblical times carried far greater meaning.  A child’s name was chosen as an indicator of their natural character, their outward appearance, or the traits that formed their basic nature. After Sarah laughed at the idea of having a child in her 90’s, she named that miracle son Isaac, which means laughter.  When God covenanted with Abram to make him the father of many nations, He changed his name from Abram [Exalted Father] to Abraham [Father of Nations].  Moses’ name in Egypt meant drawn from water, but the Hebrew meaning is savior.

Our verse from the Psalms indicates joy at singing the praise of the name of the Lord.  What exactly is the name of the Lord? Over the next few weeks of the Advent season, I would like to explore with you the various names of God throughout history, beginning with Jesus: the names attributed to Him as well as the names He used for Himself.  It is a fascinating journey.  I hope you will travel it with me.

On this day after Thanksgiving Day, I do indeed give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness - His purity of character, His sinless goodness, His holiness.  After all, He has promised to cover me with that righteousness, making this page of my life "whiter than snow."   What an outstanding reason to praise His holy name!

His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful,

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He is the mighty King, Master of everything

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

Giving Thanks

Show favor to me, O Lord, for my strength fails; 
Lord, heal me, for my body is racked with pain.  

Psalm 6:2

My three friends, to whom this spiritual journey is dedicated, are certainly poster children for this Bible verse.  One is recuperating from a triple bypass on a weakened heart; one is just beginning the fight against auto-immune hepatitis; and the third has had a stem cell transplant to battle non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Each man’s strength has failed.  Each one has experienced intense pain - yesterday was no picnic for Ben in particular.  If ever there was a trio of gentlemen who need the touch of the Master’s hand, it is these three.

If you had the opportunity to sit down with them today, however, to converse about their individual illnesses/outlooks, you would not hear an overwhelming litany of aches, pains or defeats.  You would, in fact, be treated to a list of blessings – the victories, both small and great, that have uplifted them throughout their journey.  They would thank you for your prayers, inquire after what was happening in your life, and let you know what a blessing you have been to them.

Today is Thanksgiving Day, a time for reflection on the blessings that our Father has provided for us.  As you converse with God today, please remember to pray for Alan, Ben and Tom.  Your prayers are the greatest blessing you can give them.

Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son.

And now, let the weak say, “I am strong,” 
Let the poor say, “I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us.”  
 Give thanks.

Morning Prayer

My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.   
 Psalm 5:3 [KJV]

Prayer is a very private, personal communication between a person and the Creator of the universe.  When I was a child, prayer was a very formal process:  one had to kneel, fold your hands, close your eyes, and refer to God only as “Thee” or “Thou.”   My mother held the record for years of longest possible prayers, until I got married and experienced my mother-in-law’s prayers in Spanish.  They made Mom’s prayers look like a benediction.

I love this verse because of the reference to God listening to me in the morning.  I am a morning walker, trying to get in at least 2.5 miles before going to work.  This is my favorite time to pray—looking up into the heavens, imagining God’s face looking directly back at mine.  By contrast, when Alan goes fishing, he and his friends pray in the evening.  The leadership for that prayer time rotates each day.  Ben’s favorite time of prayer is while walking the halls of MCV – passing patient rooms and no doubt praying for those inside.

We all try to be “instant” in prayer when a compelling reason or need surfaces.

God is only too happy to listen to us whenever we pray, but I believe this verse indicates that He loves to hear from us at the very beginning of the morning. When we pray to Him before the day’s hustle and bustle bursts forth, we have the privilege of a little quiet time with the Almighty.

Give ear to my prayer, O Lord. Consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King and my God.

For unto Thee will I pray – my voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.

O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.

Fear Not!

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 [NAS]

Have you ever been afraid to fall asleep? I’m not referring to monsters in the closet and boogiemen under the bed. Have you ever been too terrified to close your eyes, for fear that you would 1) have a nightmare, 2) be attacked, or 3) not wake up? Unfortunately, I developed this base fear during my middle school years. It was during a time of conflict in our family, and my mother began to come into my room in the middle of the night, searching through my stuff, examining my hands, or simply standing there staring at me. She always thought I was asleep - far from it.

I left the family home after high school, but that didn’t seem to affect a now established pattern of insomnia. Three years of college dragged by, each night a renewed struggle to talk myself into bed. On a particularly difficult night, I reached for my Bible and turned to the Psalms. It didn’t take long to reach Chapter 4, and verse 8 instantly caught my attention. It was as though God had placed it there specifically for me. I cannot say that it instantly cured my insomnia, but over the years, this is the promise that I have continually laid before the Lord, and He who is faithful has kept His word.

Fear was an immediate consequence of sin.  When God came down for His usual time with them in the cool of the evening, Adam and Eve hid because they were afraid. Fear has stalked the human race ever since. Perhaps that is why, whenever God sent a messenger to earth, their conversation usually started with, "Fear not."   Those words echo down the ages to our ears as well.  "Don't be afraid.  Put yourself in My hands.  Be hidden under My wings, close to My heart.  You are safe within My care." 

Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go,
Anywhere He leads me in this world below.

Anywhere without Him, dearest joys would fade,
Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise.

Anywhere, anywhere, fear I cannot know;
Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go.

My Glory

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3 [NRSV]

Getting older stinks! What? I’m not supposed to say that? I apologize [sort of], but in many ways, life past a certain age requires a new visualization of self. Parts of me begin to droop, drop, fall, spread, sprout lines—the list goes on and on. Every time I look in the mirror, there is a new sag, bag, or wrinkle to view. What really catches my attention, however, is my hair.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:15, “a woman’s hair is her glory.” It takes us half our lives to understand that statement, because we spend most of our youth/young adulthood wishing for any other kind/color of hair than that which is on our head. Around the time we finally appreciate the beauty [i.e., glory] of our hair, however, it decides to slowly leave us.  Whether you are cleaning hairs out of your brush, counting the ones left in the sink, or vacuuming up the strands on the bathroom floor, a woman’s knowledge that her hair is thinning is a real source of fearful questions: How much will I lose? Will Rogaine help? Is it time to wear a wig? Can God keep an accurate count of the hairs on my head when He’s continually having to subtract?

Our verse today gives a completely different outlook on the subject. My hair is simply a portion of my physical self. My glory, however, is the Lord. He gathers around me as a shield, He covers me with His glory, and lifts up my head as acknowledgement that I am complete in Him.

Father, we love You, we worship and adore You.

Glorify Your name in all the earth.

Glorify Your name, Glorify Your name,

Glorify Your name in all the earth.

Trust

Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. Psalm 2:12 [KJV]

trust (trust) n. [MEtraust]

1. firm belief or confidence in the honesty, integrity

reliability, justice, etc. of another person or thing;

faith, reliance in the person or thing trusted.

Trust. Quite honestly, not my strong suit. I am, to a degree, far more acquainted with betrayal than with any level of trust. This begs the question: If I don’t trust most humans, whom I can both see and hear, how in the world do I trust God, whom I cannot.

Part of the answer, I believe, lies in intimacy. Many people are “there for you” when "being there" means shopping, eating, gossiping, skiing, seeing the newest movie, or gathering for a backyard barbecue – anything that is light, fresh, fun and emotionally non-committal. It is the rare friend that is willing to “be there” when you are overburdened, exhausted and depressed—willing to just quietly sit and listen without reservation or judgment.

God is not found in the hustle and bustle or the gilt and glamour – what my father called flash & trash. Rather, He is a “still small voice,” whispering peace, breathing comfort, promising a love infused with honesty, integrity, reliability and justice.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to trust in Jesus, I’ve learned to trust in God.

Through it all, through it all,

I’ve learned to depend upon His word.

The Warrior is a Child

God charts the road you take...   Psalm 1:6a [The Message]

The New American Standard translation of this verse is, “for the Lord knows the way of the righteous…”  Am I “the righteous??”

Hmm….I hardly think so. I make far too many gaffes, indiscretions, mistakes…sins[!] to ever feel righteous. But God is, in fact, talking to me; and He is talking to you. So often we have a tendency to feel alone in this world. In our darkest moments, our thoughts often run through the litany of no one listens, no one knows, no one cares. On a human level, that might possibly be true, but God is always there – listening, knowing, and deeply caring. He is keeping a chart of our walk. Think how much easier it would be for Him to make His chart if we were walking beside Him.

The Warrior is a Child

People say that I’m amazing, never face retreat

But they don’t see the enemies that lay me at His feet.

They don’t know that I go running Home when I fall down.

They don’t know who picks me up when no one is around.

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

‘Cause deep inside this armor, the warrior is a child.

-Twila Paris