Laughter isn't my usual response to reading Isaiah, but . . .
Isaiah 22:1 mentions the "valley of vision." I couldn't visualize that particular valley, and wondered if it was the Kidron. The footnote verses didn't help. They mentioned the valley of Jehosphat and the valley of decision. Further searching revealed the fertile valley, valley of bones, valley of dead bodies, and valley of the shadow of death.
The question of whether or not the valley of vision was the Kidron still wasn't answered. Though frustrated, I decided to move on. A few minutes later, I read Isaiah 28:19c:
"and it will be sheer terror to understand what it means."
Laughter bubbled out like a geyser. Isaiah understands the struggle, I thought, then realized an important truth that struck me to the core.
God understands our struggle.
He knows the mysteries of faith aren't always self-evident. He knows we have a hard time understanding His ways because they aren't our ways. He knows we couldn't comprehend a life of faith and connection to God because we'd so seldom seen it.
The only solution was to wrap Himself in a flesh-coat and come to earth to show us in person, to allow us to watch as our Lord constantly communed with His Father.
Jesus gave us an in-person demonstration we can follow.
"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15
No matter whether we struggle with grief, guilt, despair, uncertainty, loss, anger, hurt, or the overwhelming press of life, He knows how it feels. He know how hard it is to carry on in the midst of the trial. Jesus has experienced all we've experienced, and much more.
He understands, He can help, and He will.
Why carry our burden alone when Jesus is willing to help? Today, let's pause in our busyness long enough to embrace the One who understands and give our struggles to Him. Take our hands off and let Him have what we cannot fix. Let's invite Him to help us in our trials and allow Him to work in the problems we face.
God wants to help. Why not let Him?
"For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted." Hebrews 2:18 nasb
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18 niv
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In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: When Rest Isn't Optional and Christmas Has to Wait
Here are links to other posts in this series:#14 When Decorating the Tree Was Almost Too Hard to Do, When Christmas Changes for the Better, #12 The Snuggling Savior, #11 The Heavenly Rejoicing Party, #10 When Peace is Fleeting but Jesus is Still Our Joy, #9: God's Love Language, #8: The Love that Saves Us from the Maggot Bed, #7: Finding the Safe Place in a Crazy World, #6: The Preparation of God's Love, #5: When Joy Flowed Forth and Splashed Into My Heart , #4 The King Who Will Not Let Us Down., #3 Preparing for Transformation, #2 Preparing for the King with an Humble Heart, and #1 Getting Ready for Jesus.
Here are links to other posts in this series:#14 When Decorating the Tree Was Almost Too Hard to Do, When Christmas Changes for the Better, #12 The Snuggling Savior, #11 The Heavenly Rejoicing Party, #10 When Peace is Fleeting but Jesus is Still Our Joy, #9: God's Love Language, #8: The Love that Saves Us from the Maggot Bed, #7: Finding the Safe Place in a Crazy World, #6: The Preparation of God's Love, #5: When Joy Flowed Forth and Splashed Into My Heart , #4 The King Who Will Not Let Us Down., #3 Preparing for Transformation, #2 Preparing for the King with an Humble Heart, and #1 Getting Ready for Jesus.
#advent2017
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