Devotions with Pastor Marty

The world seems to get crazier by the minute as each day unfolds. In my lifetime I would have never thought we would see such an aggression against truth and common sense! It seems like evil has become the new normal and what we consider right is wrong! We must never take our eyes off of our Sovereign God who is still in control of everything.

Strengthen the feeble hands,
Steady the knees that give way;
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
Your God will come,
He will come with a vengeance.
With divine retribution
He will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4

As I read the book of Isaiah it almost seems as though we are living in the same period? Fear of what may happen is everywhere and no one really knows what may happen next. Not only have we had to deal with our circumstances with Covid, but we still have to deal with our everyday responsibilities. Recently I was made aware of a cousin who is younger than me has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer! Another member of family that is stricken with an issue that’s not asked for, but yet has to be faced with courage! Where do we find such courage in the face of such devastating news?

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened
And the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then the lame will leap like a deer,
And the mute tongue shout for joy. 
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
And streams in the desert.
The burning sand will become like a pool,
The thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
Grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. Isaiah 35:5-7

What breaks my heart is to watch those who do not know the Lord continue on a path of destruction that will certainly end with dire consequences. We as believers should be doing all we can to reach as many as the lost and broken as possible to share with them the gospel message of salvation. One thing I have learned in my walk with the Lord is my salvation is not about me going to heaven. It is about me reaching those who do not know the Lord. For it is clear in scripture the choices we have.

And a highway will be there;
It will be called the Way of Holiness;
It will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
Wicked fools will not go about on it.
No lion will be there,
Nor any ravenous beast;
They will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
And those the Lord has rescued will return. 
They will enter Zion with singing;
Everlasting joy will crown their heads. 
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10

God is on his throne with you in mind, he will never leave you nor forsake you.
 
Have an amazing day!
Pastor Marty

Photo by Robert Lukeman on Unsplash