Sunday 16 Jul 2023

July 16: Isaiah 55:10-13

Key Verse: Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Devotion:
The more I read the Bible the more I am amazed at how God has made sure His Word has continued to be an open book for all to read despite what the rulers of the world would want to happen. Yes there are places all round the world where the Bible is no longer an acceptable book to read and most of those places are ruled by people who are scared at what the Word of God can do – because they lose control if God gains it!

The Word of God opens up a new world to all who are able to read it; it opens up hope, freedom and peace where rulers and leaders try to subdue, restrict and bring fear. When a leader loses the grip of fear they have over the people, the people feel free to oppose them and bring about real freedom.

Sadly there are church institutions which restrict the Word of God to what they wish people to hear so they can lead through subduing, restricting and bringing fear to the people. This is not God’s way and it will not lead to people knowing the Joy and freedom Christ brings to all. The early church in the UK restricted the Word of God by having a bible authorised by the King chained to places of worship and only the licensed priest could use those books.

God continues to make sure the bible is brought to as many people as possible in an increasingly free world. We are able to take God’s Word with us in devices which fit in the palm of our hands; no longer do the rulers have authoritarian control over The Word. The purpose of the Gospel is to reach all people with the truth and allow them to have free choice to follow God.

Points to Ponder:
Do you help to share God’s Word?

Or are you restricting what people get to hear?