Saturday, December 13, 2025


 

 


It took us both time to understand these passages. Each of them talks about people getting punished. It sounds like people who don't love others and don’t follow God will be destroyed. It seems harsh when it describes rivers flooding Judah, and how we cannot fall into their ways or we will be consumed.

We both want to do well in school and sports right now, and that might be distracting us from spiritual things. When reading this, it was clear we both were thinking: why are we doing this? But as we read further, we began to ask ourselves a different question. What if these passages are literally talking to people like us? 

In Isaiah 8:14-16, It says that there are the two houses of Israel. One, we thought, must be a group of good people, who love others and believe in God. The other is the opposite. It talks about a rock. A rock can have two meanings: a rock can be so hard and strong, a fortress built of rock can protect against anything. But a rock can also be dangerous. When running on rocks, you can easily trip and injure yourself. God is our rock. He protects the meek, the loving and those who believe in him, but the selfish and the rude fall at his hand. 

What house of Israel do we fit into? If we love others, will God save us? Everyone wants to be at God's right hand. We don’t want to get punished; we want God to forgive us. We like to think that all we have to do is repent. Say I’m sorry. The greater issue is that mindlessly apologizing and not changing your actions does not change the world or how God views you. In order to be in the good house of Israel, we must take action. And still, the Bible says God loves us through his mercy, not because of what we do. 

While we read Psalm 80:1-3, and Psalm 80:17-18, a feeling of security arose between us. God is so powerful and loving, we can ask him for help, and he will respond.

George: When I am feeling helpless or upset, I go outside and breathe the fresh air. In winter I go snowshoeing, in summer I go for a bike ride. I forget about my worries and I can feel God my rock protecting me. I feel like I am free because of God. I wonder if that is what you need to do to find mercy with God and even yourself. 

Elizabeth: I realize that God has already reached me. I feel his magic when I run into the fields and stare at the sunset and look all around me. The world could go forever. The sky is endless. When I think those thoughts, God pours over me like a wave. I can’t help it. I feel happy and free. I really think that is what God truly is.

Elizabeth & George
 
 Praise the Father, Praise the Son  Hillsong

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