Day 2: Like a river
If only you had paid attention to My commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:18).
Our Father, You are God Almighty whose own hand laid the foundations of the earth, [whose] right hand spread out the heavens (Isaiah 48:13).
You have shown throughout the history of humanity that You desire the best for us. In the past, You gave Your people Your law, and revealed to them Your ways, so that they would dwell under Your guidance and protection. And You lamented their pain when they went their own way and forfeited the peace and safety You offered:
“If My people would only listen to Me, if Israel would only follow My ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!” (Psalm 81:13-14).
But You continued Your love, and in alignment with Your plan that through one people all people on earth would be blessed, You sent Your Messiah to bring peace on earth—to justify us by faith and give us peace with God (Romans 5:1).
Sovereign Lord, may we today and everyday accept Your guidance with gratitude and humility. May we embrace Your peace and make room in our hearts for Your precious gift.
Your own mouth has declared that there is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22). Let us not in stubborn refusal forfeit the rivers of peace and the waves of well-being You offer to our storm-tossed souls.
Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
Refrain 1-4:
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word,
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
When the heav’ns shall ring, and her choirs shall sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
Refrain 5:
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
~ Emily E. Elliott ~ 1864
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