We left this morning, walking toward our favorite coffee shop. Hearing them first, we looked to the tallest tree and sure enough, their sharp morning cry assured us that they were watching out for any snakes.

How do you defeat a predator who is wily or deceptive? This passage teaches us through a messianic prophecy. Jesus Christ our Savior provided a real life examples of how to act in a hate-filled world.

Trusting His Father’s purpose for His life, the Messiah gave Himself fully as Savior of the world.

We are not the Savior but we can be Christ’s followers and allow the Father’s sovereignty to be over our lives.

Are we trusting the Father? Are we fully giving ourselves to His purpose? What discernment do we put in place, ensuring we are not getting sidetracked by worldly wisdom?

Let’s obey the call of the suffering servant in Is. 55 (see notes re: deliverance from Ted Kirnbauer (rev. 10/27/14) on Cloversites.com)

Isaiah 55:1-3 (NIV)

1 “Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

As our day begins, we can learn from the example of Jesus Christ the Lord, who is the sentinel of our soul. This exercise of trust gives us energy to focus on who we are, purposely living out why we were created. – Teresa #awakenedears #taughtinthenight

Isaiah 50:4-11(ESV)

4 The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.
Morning by morning he awakens;
he awakens my ear
to hear as those who are taught.
5 The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.
6 I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.
7 But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame.
8 He who vindicates me is near.
Who will contend with me?
Let us stand up together.
Who is my adversary?
Let him come near to me.
9 Behold, the Lord God helps me;
who will declare me guilty?
Behold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
the moth will eat them up.
10 Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on his God.
11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.