Morning Devotions by Sheila Lloyd

Isaiah 32:17

Sowing and reaping – it’s a biblical principle that we see at work throughout the Word and throughout creation. We sow a seed and reap a harvest, bear fruit.

This verse means, then, that if we sow righteousness, we will reap peace. Who among us wouldn’t like more peace – in our lives, in our world?

Righteousness can be simply defined as “right-living,” referring to relationship between human and God as well as between human and human. Hundreds of scriptures describe this right living or righteousness to us, and what we see in this passage is that if we employ “right-living,” the fruit that will be produced is peace.

The verse goes on to say that the effect of righteousness is quietness and confidence forever. So when we engage in right living, not only will we reap a harvest of peace, but the impact, in turn, on our lives will be quietness and confidence –forever. What a comfort! Aren’t we hungry for it?

I don’t believe the Lord is referring here to a lack of noise or busy-ness in daily life. I believe He is inviting us to a deep, inner peace and quietness of spirit, an anchor that goes deep and remains firm despite the thrashing and storms of life around us. Please notice it’s not temporary…right living breeds benefits that last forever!

What must we do? Be intentional about living rightly in relationship to God and in relationship to one another.

Further study: Isaiah 32:15-20 ; Ephesians chapters 4,5,6

“Keep your eye on the healthy soul; scrutinize the straight life.

There’s a future in strenuous wholeness.

But the willful will soon be discarded.”

Psalm 37:3-38 (Message version)

“Strenuous wholeness” – That’s incredibly descriptive! The path toward wholeness, healing, balance, and a healthy soul which allows transparency with God  can be quite strenuous.

What begins with mustard seed of faith and a prayer of salvation continues with growth, maturing and developing that often is indeed work. Oh, now it’s not work if we just stay drinking the “milk of the word” (Hebrews 5:11-14 ), but if we do we will miss out on experiencing the glory and fullness of the Lord. If we never stretch our faith muscles in the spiritual realm, we won’t see the full potential of His Word alive in us. (Romans 8:11 )

When we decide to come vulnerably before the throne of grace to ask for healing and wholeness, Father God sets us on a journey. He begins to peel off layers of old thought patterns, fears, strongholds, and lies from the enemy that have kept us in bondage to sin and to our past.

As C.S. Lewis once penned, we submit ourselves to a “severe mercy” by the hand of the Great Physician, who – as we willingly lay on the altar before him – surgically carves out the poison in our lives that clouds his glory.

The path of wholeness indeed is strenuous. However, the rich fellowship with God, the confidence of his love, the joy of his presence, the moments of intimate communion are sweeter than any strain! Let us be fully consumed with the power and healing and presence of Jesus. The reward is well worth the work.

Other scriptures: Philippians 1:6 ; Hebrews 10:23

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, 
whose confidence is in him.

He will be like a tree planted by the water 
that sends out its roots by the stream. 
It does not fear when heat comes; 
its leaves are always green. 
It has no worries in a year of drought 
and never fails to bear fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

I returned yesterday from a weekend of our 8th year of Healing Prayer retreats.  This was the theme scripture.

We were asked to draw a picture based on this scripture.  I used oil pastels for mine.  The tree trunk