#18 Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is Our Judge
On May 9, 2021 by Amy BurginJoy:
Episode#18 Isaiah 33:22
Welcome
Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.
Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin
Amy:
Christgazing, similar to stargazing, is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. This podcast is for those of us who long to do just that, to gaze upon the Lord and see his beauty in the midst of everything that is wrong around us. This podcast is also for you if you don’t really know who Jesus is. We make room for you to put aside what the world or religion has taught you so you might know for yourself. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he wants us to know.
Pour Out Your Heart to God
Amy:
Before Joy brings us today’s verse, take 45 seconds to pour out your heart to God, whether it be thanksgiving, hurt, joy, sorrow, peace, fear, a long to-do list or nothing to do – Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next 45 seconds.
What Does This Passage Say About God?
Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, “What does this passage say about God?” What does he want? What has he done? What is doing? What does he value?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about God?”
[Pause and know]What Does This Passage Say About People?
Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?” What do we as people need and want?
Take a few moments to answer the question, “What does this passage tell you about people?”
[Pause and know]Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?
Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me do today in response to this passage?” Remember, he is a good father. God wants you to know him better. He never condemns or belittles but rather, he is the lifter of our heads.
Take a few moments to listen for his voice as you ask him, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”
[Pause and listen]Blessing
Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May you also turn your face toward his and come to intimately know him by his royal titles, “Wonderful,” “Counselor,” “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” and “The Prince of Peace.” May find your judgment, your laws, your protection, and your salvation in him today and every day.
One Response
Amy:
The prophet Isiah looked forward to a righteous kingdom. In Isaiah 32:1-5 he wrote, “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear. No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.”
I want to be that kind of ruler in the little kingdom entrusted to me here on earth, one who is like streams of water in the desert, or like the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.
This week, two young men in their twenties, one Rwandan and the other an enlisted soldier in the United States Army, independently shared with me their frustration with the corruption of kingdoms on Earth. They have each experienced firsthand the effects of bribery and greed. Don’t we all long to belong in a righteous, honest, fair kingdom?
We pray the words Jesus taught us, “Lord thy kingdom come on Earth as it is in Heaven” because we are hungry for rightness.
Today, let us take heart knowing our God is our Judge (our Judicial Branch), our God is our Lawgiver (our Legislative Branch), and our God is our King (our Executive Branch). The government is on his shoulders and he is the trustworthy bringer of rightness.
Closing
Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. We leave you with the truth we don’t want to forget, When you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.
It blesses me to hear from you! Please leave a reply here.