It’s Alive-Part 1
Last weeks discussion on the word of God may need more time. It is a topic that could be discussed for a good while. When talking about anything that is described as prophetic and alive there will be an experiential component. “How it has impacted me may be different than the way it has impacted you.” It is important that we weigh everything against Scripture - the Bible. That is our measuring device.
The Bible is not merely a historical record book. It is a studied story with every detail being important. You see, the Bible (God’s Word) connects the dots in our lives. We begin to see the prophecy come alive. The entire story is vastly important. As we emerge our lives in Scripture, we begin to realize - we are living part of the story!
Isaiah 61 has become the bedrock of why I write these devotional thoughts and share them. This didn’t happen until I saw the words of the Old Testament prophet come alive in my life! A few years ago I read in Luke 4 Jesus reading from Isaiah 61. It’s a fairly popular text. Sort of Jesus’ “drop the mic” moment that begins His public ministry. I decided to take a deeper look at the entire chapter Jesus read from, almost skeptically, to see what the big deal was.
As I read through the text I was struck by the words. The power, the healing, the redemption described by Isaiah was beautiful! It cut deep into my heart. The words were alive inside of me. I am not sure how many times I read over these ancient words - “Oaks of Righteousness”, “Priests of God”, “Roses from ashes”! I could not get enough.
Fast forward a little, my father-in-law, Greg, had a medical experience that leaves him unable walk. Needless to say the entire family is devastated. As Greg laid in a hospital bed I decided to call him every morning (I had no idea what to do other than pray and try to encourage my friend). I kept coming back to the words of Isaiah; the promise to rebuild, restore and rename just resonated in my soul. I prayed those words with Greg over and over.
As time marched on Greg grew stronger, nerves began to respond - “from the brokenness God makes new”! Our family walked in a miraculous work of rebuilding. God’s hand on the entire process. Isaiah’s words alive!
Months and months past and the words of Isaiah 61 bouncing around in my mind, drilled deeply in my heart and I have witnessed it impact my family! Now I find myself serving/volunteering at a huge gathering for young adults - me and 65,000 of my closest friends. The speaker that closed the event out used Isaiah 61 to wrap everything up. Like he was speaking only to me. My mind was blown. The dots just began to connect. God’s prophetic word living in me!