Calvary Chapel North Phoenix

“The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.”

Isaiah 50:4

Ever stumbled with just the right words to say? Ever tripped on your tongue while trying to minister to another? We want to give gracious words that help the hurting, but at times our words fall short. We say the wrong things….we don’t say the right things…and sometimes we don’t say anything! Ugh! Flustered and frustrated we turn to the LORD and say, “Why?” Why couldn’t I bring just the right words to help out? Why was I silent when I should have spoken? Why do you put me in these situations Lord?” Lessons to be learned. Lessons of leaning upon the LORD.

Our great Tutor, the Holy Spirit, desires to train us to minister His love. There are no pat answers for each hurting and wearisome situation. There are no “take one of these and see me in the morning” solutions. God allows every situation to be unique. Every situation needs the power of the Holy Spirit to be dealt with effectively. Every situation has a common theme… our inability, and His ability. He is our Comforter, Teacher, and the source of all wisdom. His Word holds the ointment to help heal any wound.

And so we realize here in Isaiah 50:4 that first, He “gives” us a tongue to speak His Word to the weary. This tool is to build up what was broken, encourage the downcast, heal the hurting, and bring God’s truth to the confused. Second, He “awakens” us each day because it is a daily walk. God gets us out of bed! Daily His Word prepares us, enriches us, and saturates us so that we can refresh others. And lastly, He “awakens” my ear to hear. How important it is for us to hear His counsel.

Jesus awoke early and often to meet with the Father in solitary. There in that quiet time He listened, shared, and prepared for the daily task of ministry to others. How does He respond when 5,000 come to Him for food? How does He respond when His day is filled with demands from broken lives to help them immediately? Truly Isaiah 50:4 (our verse) is exemplified in the person of Jesus. From fellowship came effective ministry.

Mankind today needs the LORD. They need His Word, His comfort, and His love. And the way God reaches them is through His people. We can only give out to others what we have received ourselves! We are only a distributor, not the manufacturer. We are only a tongue to speak for Him. We are a voice in the wilderness of weariness. Just a simple tool of His Spirit.

And so the question we face each day when the LORD awakens us up with His alarm clock is this, “Will you walk in the footsteps of Jesus? Then turn in your Bible and let Me teach you today.” Enjoy your time with Him today!

God bless,

Jesse Claycamp

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9

From the beginning of time, God has been calling out to mankind. He calls to us right where we are at. In the pit of our sin and failure, He is speaking. In those times there are voices that excuse, voices that condemn, and voices that confuse.

All of them are meant to do one thing…distract you from hearing His voice. He comes in a gentle voice to correct the broken man. He speaks as One who understands our failures and knows our weaknesses. He comes to speak and then to hear our response. He truly knows the art of listening!

As Adam lay in the mud and mire of his sin, hiding in shame, God came to him with a question…”Where are you?” He obviously knew where Adam was because He sees all things. So why ask? Because He loves us.

Love is patient and draws the offender out. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love says, “Where are you?”, rather than, “ Ha! I’ve found you! You can’t run from me!” Love comes to restore the fallen man, rather than break the broken even more. Love comes to clear away the confusion and bring explanation and an exhortation to righteousness. Love draws out. Love lifts up. Love asks and then listens.

As you face this week and all the broken people in this world, ask the Lord to give you the listening ear towards others. Find out where they are, and hear their story. Ask questions that show you are interested in them. And then be led by the Spirit to offer them hope in your listening God.

May love be on our lips and draw others to our Savior who heals the broken lives.

God bless,

Jesse Claycamp