From: "Beverly French" <frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us>
To: "Heritage" <gheritage@juno.com>
Subject: Greetings to All
Date: Sunday, March 03, 2002 7:21 AM

As a preface to our opening verse: Chapter 50 of Isaiah is entitled "The
Messiah's Obedience" in the New King James version of the Bible.

"The Lord God ...
 He awakens Me morning by morning,
 He awakens My ear
 To hear as the learned."  Isaiah 50:4

The Amplified Bible starts this verse with ["The Servant of God says"]...
This is Christ in the Old Testament speaking.  Then verse 5 says,
"The Lord God has opened My ear, and I have not been rebellious..."

What happens each morning when you awake?  Where do your thoughts
immediately turn?  To the commitments of the day?  To the lost sleep due to
the worries of the night?  To the dread of some unpleasant task?  To the
pain in your body? Or do your thoughts turn to our Lord?

What a special time we each have upon waking!  Before we face anyone else
this is the time to face the Lord.  He knows what the day holds in store,
therefore,
"Draw near to God...He will draw near to you."  James 4:8

Our Scripture talks of ears of a learner -- ears that are attentive and
ready to hear.  So we need to listen with an attitude and an expectation of
hearing from Him.  Open your heart to Him and see what joy awaits you.  How
often we read of Jesus withdrawing to spend time with the Father.  He is our
standard, our example.  This early morning fellowship with the Lord should
be our priority and to get our eyes focused on Him prepares us for whatever
the day may bring.

Whether it is an easy day or a difficult one, remember;
"It is because of the Lords's mercy and loving kindness that we are not
consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not.  They are new every
morning great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23  Amplified Bible

The Psalmist tells of the nearness of the Lord,
"I have set the Lord continually before me;
 Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

"The righteous cry and the Lord hears,
 And delivers them out of all their troubles.
 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted,
 And saves those who are crushed in spirit."  Psalm 34:17-18

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
 To all who call upon Him in truth."  Psalm 145:18

His promises are sure and unchangeable.  Oh to know Him in a greater
measure!  To know Him is to spend time with Him and to spend time in His
Word.  I can't help thinking of that song I have mentioned before of keeping
our eye upon Jesus and looking into His face, how then can it not be so that
the things of earth grow dim in the light of His glory and unmerited favor!
That of course is my paraphrase of the song, but I am sure you all know it.

At the end of the day, with the Psalmist, let this be our confidence:
"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
 For Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety."

Hallelujah!  Amen.