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God's Presence
Day 1
God the Father is over us.
Today's Verse
Isaiah 40:22 "He sits enthroned above the
circle of the earth, and its people are like
grasshoppers."
Read About It
Many of us have a "Grasshopper Theology." We think of God sitting so far above the earth that we look like grasshoppers to Him. We wouldn't admit we think that way. When we read the Bible we find wonderful passages about how God is with us and will help us. But deep down, a part of us doesn't really believe that, especially when troubles rise up like tidal waves before us. Our problems seem enormous, and God seems small and so far away.
In verse 22, as well as several others in Isaiah 40, God draws word pictures for us so we will be able to visualize His greatness. He is not telling us that He is far away; instead, He is describing His enormity and urging us to have a heavenly perspective-to rise with Him above our problems and recognize how great He is and how small our problems are.
As you read these word pictures in Isaiah 40, see if you can visualize just how great God is:
Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
Isaiah 40:12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?
Isaiah 40:15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Other people in Scripture had a Grasshopper Theology. For example, in Numbers 13, Moses and his people were ready to enter the land God had promised to them. Moses sent twelve men to spy on the land. Ten of the spies came back saying that the land was full of giants, and the people seemed like grasshoppers in comparison. The other two, Joshua and Caleb, looked at it from a heavenly perspective: they knew God is big enough to defeat any giants in the land. But those with the Grasshopper Theology wouldn't be convinced. Joshua and Caleb entered the Promised Land, but the others missed out.
I used to have a Grasshopper Theology. I let my worries get me down, but I am learning to have a heavenly perspective. When I praise my God for His greatness and remember that He is with me, my problems become like grasshoppers!
Meditation on a Heavenly Perspective
I remember that day so clearly. As I'm writing this I'm nine again and my ears are still ringing from the worst news in the world: My friends Barbara and Nancy told Peggy that they did not like me anymore. Of course, Peggy couldn't wait to share every detail of their gossip with me.
My dad planned to take the family to Grandma's house in his sleek blue Navion that afternoon. Although I loved to fly, I entered the airplane so loaded down with hurts that I was not looking forward to the trip. Nancy and Barbara's fiery words echoed in the roar of the engine. After we took off, I glanced out the window and noticed, as if for the first time, that everything on the ground was miniature. Like Monopoly houses placed carefully on the board, the lovely homes near the airport suddenly dwindled in stature and significance. As usual, Dad flew over our neighborhood; though a half-hour away by car, this detour took only a few minutes. Looking out the window, I strained to see if Barbara and Nancy were outside playing, but I was too far away.
When I looked at the vast horizon before me, it didn't seem to matter anymore. I had broader perspective-a heavenly one. It was like I could see the whole picture now-where I had been and where I was going-and I was no longer stuck in tiny details like the cutting words of two unfaithful friends. As we soared effortlessly to Grandma's house, I looked forward in happy anticipation to the hugs that awaited me and I was relieved to leave Barbara and Nancy behind.
Think About It
Do you have a Grasshopper Theology?
Yes___ No___ 1. Do you often find yourself overwhelmed
by worries?
Yes___ No___ 2. Do you often feel defeated and say things
to yourself such as, "I'll never be able to
do that!"?
Yes___ No___ 3. When you are worried about something,
do you find it impossible to turn off your
anxious thoughts?
Yes___ No___ 4. Does God often seem distant to you?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you might have a Grasshopper Theology. Continue reading and you will find out what to do about it.
Write About It
What are you worried about today? Put one check next to the things that worry you, two checks next to things that worry you a lot, and three checks next to the things that you worry about most.
__ Terrorism, war __ Surrounded by ungodliness __ Money __ Other people's problems __ Old age, death __ Unknown future __ Health, appearance __ Mistakes in the past, guilt __ Getting along with others __ Can't stop bad habit __ Loved ones' poor choices __ What people think about me __ Not enough time __ Possessions-in disrepair __ Inadequacy __ Possessions-wanting more
Pray About It
Reflect on your problems in light of today's verse, and journey from worry to worship by having a heavenly perspective-praising God that He is with you and that He is bigger than any of your problems. Isaiah 40:22 "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers"
Lord, I've been worrying about ...
_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Help me rise above these worries and praise You because ...
_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
God, I praise You for Your greatness. When I allow my thoughts to rise up with You, I am awestruck by Your majesty. I see my problems from Your eyes and I put things in their proper perspective. You are the creator and sustainer of the universe, yet You love me and are concerned about anything that concerns me. You don't want me to pretend that my problems don't exist. Instead, You want me to face them, praising You that You are far bigger than any of my problems and that You are with me, helping me deal with them one by one.
Do It
Next time a worry hits you, ask yourself, "Am I acting like I have a Grasshopper Theology?"
_______________________________________________
Day 2
God the Son is next to us.
Today's Verse
Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart."
Read About It
Have you ever held a squirming toddler? I took care of a friend's child last week so I can answer that question with a resounding YES! And it's frustrating. I wanted to take care of him, but he would have none of the help I tried to give. All he could think about was getting out of my arms so he could do his own thing. That is how many of us respond to our Shepherd as He tries to gather us in His arms.
Yesterday we looked at God the Father who is over us. Today we are going to focus on God the Son who is next to us. Isaiah describes Him as our Shepherd who gathers us into His arms and carries us close to His heart.
In John 10 Jesus describes Himself using the same metaphor.
Let's examine several verses in this chapter to see what Jesus says about being our Shepherd.
* John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
Stop to think for a minute about how blessed you are to have such a loving Shepherd who died to set you free-free from guilt, death, hopelessness, and fear of the things to come. When you think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, do your worries turn to worship?
* John 10:3 "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."
Jesus has chosen you for His very own. He called you out from the others to have a personal relationship with you. He doesn't just tell you to go on ahead; He leads you out of your old way of living into the exciting new life He has for you. Are you letting Him lead you out ... or are you wandering away?
* John 10:27 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."
When Jesus talks to me, His voice isn't audible, but I sense it with spiritual ears. You might know what I'm talking about, but in case you don't, I'll explain how I know when the Lord is speaking to me.
Ways I know the Lord is speaking to me:
1. A thought comes into my mind that brings peace and
certainty.
2. The significance of a verse in the Bible "leaps off the
page" at me.
3. Words I read or hear stand out in significance. (Often my
preacher's sermon or a book I "happen" to pick up will
offer just the direction I had been seeking.)
4. Several people happen to mention the same thing to me
and I feel God nudging me in that direction.
If any of these things don't agree with the Bible, I know right away they are not from God.
Do you recognize the Lord's voice? Do you follow His instructions? Jesus reassures us in John 10 that His sheep know His voice. We just have to practice listening-expecting to hear from Him and being willing to follow.
Think About It
Today we talked about eight qualities of our Shepherd and four qualities of His sheep. Each of these qualities will help us to go from worry to worship.
Our Shepherd His Sheep He lays down his life for us. We are able to hear Him. He tends to us. We follow Him. He gathers us in his arms. We shall never perish. He carries us close to his heart. No one can snatch us out of His hand. He calls us by name. He leads us out. He knows us. He gives us eternal life.
Write About It
Answer this questionnaire and see how you're doing in following your Shepherd.
Yes___ No___ 1. Do you have doubts that you are a
Christian and that Jesus died to save you?
Yes___ No___ 2. Are you too focused on taking care of your
own needs to let Jesus tend to you?
Yes___ No___ 3. When Jesus tries to gather you in His arms
to have a daily quiet time, do you try to
squirm out because you are too busy?
Yes___ No___ 4. When you are worried, do you focus on
your problems instead of your Shepherd
who wants to carry you though them?
Yes___ No___ 5. Do you believe that Jesus is too busy with
others to call you personally?
Yes___ No___ 6. Are you stuck in the same place you were
last year, unable or unwilling to let Jesus
lead you out?
Yes___ No___ 7. When you know that God is leading you
to do something, do you often refuse to
follow Him?
Yes___ No___ 8. Do you try to win God's favor and earn
your way into heaven?
If you had any yes answers, your Shepherd wants to teach you how to follow Him better. Don't worry about how much you have to learn. Jesus promises to lead you. He will even give you the willingness to follow if you ask Him. The most important thing is that you start learning and start following Him more closely. In order to do that, it will be very helpful for you to talk your yes answers over with your pastor, Sunday school teacher, or respected Christian friend. Why don't you do it this week?
Pray About It
Thank God for being your Shepherd. As you look at your answers to the questionnaire, write your prayer below, asking Him to help you to be a better lamb.
_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Reflect on today's verse as you journey from worry to worship. Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart."
Lord, I praise You because You are my Shepherd. You love me just as I am. You laid down Your life for me. You want to spend time just being close to me. You want to lead me out of my old ways, and when things are too hard for me, You even offer to carry me. You speak to me in words that I can understand and promise that I will know Your voice ... if I will listen. I come to You now with a new hope because my hope is in You, not myself. You are my Shepherd. You are with me and You will help me to follow You today and every day.
Do It
Next time you are worried, don't be like a squirming lamb trying to get out of your Shepherd's arms. Hold Him tight and let Him carry you.
Day 3
God the Holy Spirit is inside us.
Today's Verse
Isaiah 40:29 "He gives strength to the weary."
Read About It
"Why do I continue to overeat when I want to lose weight more than anything in my life?" This question baffled me but didn't slow down my journey to the refrigerator. Something compelled me to do what I had just determined not to. It did not make sense. In almost everything else I was in control-I knew what I wanted to do and did it-but with food it was different.
Here I was, RN supervisor of a large medical-surgical floor telling people what to do to get healthy, and I couldn't lose the weight that made my blood pressure soar. Just that afternoon my doctor warned me to lose weight or I could have a stroke even though I was only in my 30s. I determined on the way home from the doctor's office that I would go back on my diet immediately. Well, tomorrow for sure. But now I needed a little something to calm my nerves ...
I was tired of dealing with this problem. Fed up. Weary of the whole thing.
Continues...
Excerpted from FROM WORRY TO Worship by JULIE M0RRIS Copyright © 2003 by Julie Morris
Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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