I have written in the past about early mornings when I have clearly had the Lord speak to me through Scripture or during prayer or just had a thought that was firmly persistent in my mind upon awaking. Sometimes such thoughts have been about things that were not even on my radar screen, but seemed to come out of the blue and caught me by surprise. Sometimes it has been a song that is firmly planted in my consciousness as I awaken that speaks to me.
For years, as I have taught or led groups in Bible study I have maintained that I am not so much “teaching” as simply sharing what the Holy Spirit has shared with me, as I have studied the Word and prayed for understanding.
On Wednesday I led the Holy Week devotional at FUSION and this scripture from Isaiah caught my attention:
“The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. ” Isaiah 50:4-9a
This prophetic passage by Isaiah speaks of Christ’s experience – both in being instructed in his spirit and in being abused by his persecutors. But his determination, perseverance and victory are also clear in this scripture.
Today I was reading a friend’s post on a social media page. She wrote: “I woke up this morning and kept hearing this song in my mind, an old Baptist song that used to rock the Church, when those old mothers would have prayer meeting and they would begin to sing it. “I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus, woke up this morning with my mind, stayed on the Lord, well, I woke up this morning with my mind stayed on Jesus. Hallelu! Hallelu! Amen!”. Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible) reads, “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on you. They were prophesying, through song the peace of God. Hallelujah!” LET THE PEACE OF GOD, RULE AND REIGN IN YOUR MIND TODAY! Just a thought!”
God does indeed instruct hearts and minds in the early morning. He gives a word and shows us its meaning and what we are to do with it.
Part of the prayer from Wednesday’s devotional: “Empower us in witness so that all the world may recognize in the scandal of the cross the mystery of reconciliation. ” Amen!