This is the second devotional I wrote for my church. Enjoy!

Longing for God’s Passion

Isaiah 43:8-12

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

“You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.”

I vividly remember the first time I read these verses. It was early March 1994. I was a young teenager excited to learn about my Savior. My church was preparing for a big youth crusade. My youth minister pumped us up to invite ALL our friends. That night, I felt an urge to read my Bible. As I thumbed through it wondering what I should read, Isaiah caught my eye. My heart raced as I read today’s passage in chapter 43. I caught a glimpse of how badly God wants others to know Him. He loved me and saved me. Now, He wants me to be His witness. I am His representative to the rest of the world!

I remember feeling a sense of awe & urgency as God’s Passion washed over me, filling me with a new love for people. Suddenly, I didn’t see my friends, classmates, or family members the same. I saw the hurt & pain within them from being separated from God. I suddenly longed to see them come to know Him intimately. That night of discovering God’s passion for people forever changed me.

Slowly read through the verses again letting God’s passion fill you. Sometimes, we let other things in life take precedence and we loose the urgency to tell others of Christ’s amazing love. However, His passion and love for all people washes over us again whenever we focus on dwelling in His presence.

Reflection: How does your life testify to God’s love and presence? Do you have a passion for reaching the spiritually deaf & blind?

Application: Be God’s witness by sharing His love with someone this week. Pray that God will show you how He views others.