September 20, 2019
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of , Isaiah 55:13 “Instead of the thorn shall come up the Cypress tree. And Instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above context we understand that here is a gracious offer of pardon and peace and of all happiness. It will not be vain on the part of anyone who seeks God. And today His word is calling to us. And His spirit is striving with us. We need to alter not only our ways, but we need a change of mind. We must alter our judgements about others. Instead of being profane contentious or selfish, we need to be patient, humble, kind, and peaceable.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, when we alter our ways, we will receive fullness, freeness and greatness of the rich mercy in Christ. There shall be neither pricking brier nor any grieving thorn but instead of them there shall be trees that yield shade and refreshment.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Briers and thorns represent a general state of wretchedness and sin. The Fir and Myrtle represent a happy external condition of life. Therefore seek Jehovah while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to Jehovah and He will have compassion upon him and will abundantly pardon.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, there is one such incident in the Bible which records about Hannah, a faithful woman. She is one of the two wives of Elkanah. His other wife Peninnah had many children. But Hannah remained childless. So she was tormented by Peninnah. Jealousy can make a woman cruel. Bible says, she provoked Hannah severely, irritating her constantly by mocking Hannah’s lack of children. One day Hannah went to the temple, and poured her heart before the Lord. She made a vow to the Lord, saying that if God blessed her with a son, She would dedicate him to the Lord as a Nazi rite. She spoke so silently. But the priest thought that she was drunk. She convinced him that she was not drunk. And said that she was a woman with a sorrowful spirit. So the priest told her that God will surely grant her wish. Therefore she went home cheerfully.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, She was no more sad. Eli’s words seemed to have a profound effect on her. And in due time she bore a son. All her sorrow was turned to joy. The Bible says, hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. She began to praise God saying, “ My heart rejoices in the Lord. My horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies.”Yes she could boldly smile at Peninnah who criticised her of her childlessness.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters today you too might be experiencing such a thorny, Brier like situation in your life. But God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think or pray and will change your troubled situation joyful. So do not lose your hope in God. He turns your mourning into dancing. God comforts all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion to give them beauty for ashes. Instead of thorn shall come up cypress tree and instead of the brier, shall come up the myrtle tree. Therefore do not be with a sorrowful spirit, but gladden your heart in the Lord.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord, teach us to walk by faith like Hannah. Help us to pour out our heart to the Lord when we are in trouble. Never to grow weary but to grow strong in the Lord. May we change our attitude, and adapt mannerism and habits that are humble, kind and peaceable.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.