WE SHALL NOT DIE - Reading With the People of God #17Sample

The Message Shared

Studying the prophet Isaiah, I feel for him in all of the rollercoaster emotions he must have felt as he shared the Word of the Lord. We read chapters of judgment and despair due to Israel’s disobedience, then great prophecy of salvation and Israel’s repentance. Isaiah volunteered to let God send him to share the message with His people. No doubt, he had no idea what was ahead, but he was obedient in sharing the message. Like us, the people of God had their highs and lows; proof of the need for a Savior. The message shared was both difficult and beautiful.

In today’s reading, we get to participate in worship, sharing the news of who God is and what He has done for us. Oh, how great it is to worship with others who know the truth and can declare the power of God, the deliverance only He can bring, and the joy of fellowship with Him! Just as it empowers us to gather together, how delightful it must have felt to declare the goodness of God!

After recognizing his atrocities, the apostle Paul must have felt the same way. Yes, he faced hardship and argument, but sharing the good news of the Messiah and the promises of God fulfilled must have felt glorious!

Yet, in both Isaiah's and Paul’s ministry, there were those who should have been joining in, but failed to understand the global message that God wants ALL people to be reconciled to Him, not just a few ‘chosen or special’. The message must be shared. Like Isaiah, we can cling to the hope of the promises of God even in times when we see no hope. Like Paul, we can declare the message to all and know that everyone deserves to hear and know God’s love and forgiveness. The outcome is not up to us. Our job is to declare the difficult and beautiful message.

Primer contributed by Gaylyn Mott, Christ follower, musician, teacher, yarn artist, member of Cornerstone Community Church of Chowchilla