From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jun 8, 2023 at 5:46 AM

Subject: 6-8-23 THOUGHTS

6-8-23   THOUGHTS

Verses 8-10 below generate a great deal of thought in my heart. They were part of our reading for last night’s class.  An “entering of the faithful” is contemplated.  There’s an “eager waiting”, and “a longing of the soul in the night”.  There's “diligent seeking”, and “a learning of righteousness.”!  It sounds like an abiding in the vine, an ABIDING IN GOD?  The wicked seemed to live the pampered life, and yet they did not learn righteousness!  They did not “perceive the majesty of the LORD.”   Eph 5:14  For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you."

Isa 26:1-11    In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts for security. 2  "Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, The one that remains faithful. 3  "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. 4  "Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
5  "For He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust. 6  "The foot will trample it, The feet of the afflicted, the steps of the helpless."
7  The way of the righteous is smooth; O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level. 8  Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD, We have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls. 9  At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. 10  Though the wicked is shown favor, He does not learn righteousness; He deals unjustly in the land of uprightness,  And does not perceive the majesty of the LORD.  11  O LORD, Your hand is lifted up yet they do not see it. They see Your zeal for the people and are put to shame; Indeed, fire will devour Your enemies.

My Prayer:
Give us "an enlivening", O God.  Turn our living for You into something real and powerful.  Give us an eager waiting, and diligently seeking spirits.  As we live, give us ears to hear and eyes to see, that we may learn Your righteousness.  Have zeal for Your people, O Lord, so that we may be zealous for You. Forgive our weakness, and revive us, O God.  Increase our love for and fellowship with each other.  May the joyful bearing of fruit in the Kingdom be our blessing.  We seek eternity with You.  In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus,        Amen.