Daily Devotional – May 1-7
May 1 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Isaiah 55:8-11, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Prayer: “Father, Your thoughts are astounding. Give me such sight and faith to think Your thoughts and see the beauty of Your ways. Thank You for wonderfully creating this world to water it with snow and rain so that crops and gardens can grow, and we can be fed. In the same way, we can be confident that Your holy word goes out with authority and power to accomplish Your perfect plans and purposes on earth. Praise be to Your holy name. Amen.”
May 2 – Meditating on God’s Word
Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
In order to help us think and pray upon these words, we will use the pattern of the W.O.R.D. I will offer my example, but you will want to do this exercise for yourself.
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words. This puts the word into your hand, head, and heart.)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
This Scripture is in a chapter of invitation to seek the Lord while He may be found and for the thirsty to come and drink. God reveals His greater plan for the future for all who trust in Him. Thankfully, God’s thoughts and ways are not the ways of sinful man.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
I need to match up to God’s thoughts and ways rather than expect God to match up to mine.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
I will seek God’s thoughts and ways through Scripture and prayer.
May 3 – Meditating on God’s Word
Isaiah 55:9, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Write out the Scripture.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Observe what it is saying.
As heaven is infinitely separated from earth, so God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely greater than ours. There is no comparison between God’s superior intellect and approach to life in relationship to ours. There is no flaw in God’s thinking or in His directing our paths.
Relate it to your life.
It would be foolish for me to go against God’s wisdom and pattern for life. If I choose my way over God’s way, I am going the path of my own demise because His way is not only better but it is perfect.
Do something.
“Father, forgive me when I think going my way is better than following your perfect and loving way. May I humble myself before You and choose life every step of the way. Amen.”
May 4 – Meditating on God’s Word
Isaiah 55:10, As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
Write out the Scripture.
“The rain and snow come from heaven and water the earth making it bud and flourish and yield seed for the farmer and food for the eater,”
Observe what it is saying.
God uses rain and snow to flourish the earth so that we can plant, harvest, and eat.
Relate it to your life.
God’s plan of watering the earth brings His provision into my life as I plant and prepare.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for loving us so by sending the rain and snow. These are gifts from above for earth below so that we can successfully work the land and be fed by Your hand. Amen.”
May 5 – Meditating on God’s Word
Isaiah 55:11, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
Write out the Scripture.
“so is my word that speaks forth from my mouth: it won’t come back to me empty,”
Observe what it is saying.
Isaiah compares the rain and snow proceeding from heaven to benefit the earth to God’s word that is spoken. It is impossible for God to speak and nothing to happen. What God speaks will happen. It will produce results.
Relate it to your life.
If I fail to understand the beauty and the authority of God’s word, I will miss out on the riches of life and put myself in eternal jeopardy.
Do something.
“Father, in a world that doesn’t seem to take anyone’s word seriously, may I understand the urgency and necessity it is to take You at Your word. You speak life. To disregard Your word is to have contempt for life today and tomorrow. Amen.”
May 6 – Meditating on God’s Word
Isaiah 55:11, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Write out the Scripture.
“But will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Observe what it is saying.
For the word not to return empty, it will do exactly what God intended it to do when He spoke it. God’s word has power to accomplish whatever its intended purpose is. It can create universes, still storms, speak words of healing, predict judgment, and pronounce peace.
Relate it to your life.
I need to pay attention to every word God has spoken. His words are filled with life if I cherish and walk in their truth. If I don’t do so, then His words of discipline and judgment will be known.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for Your life-giving word. Give me ears to hear it. Give me a heart to receive it. Give me a will that surrenders to it. Give me hands, feet, and a mouth that will obey it. Amen.”