GOD'S PRESENCE DISPLAYED

Yesterday was Grandparents’ Day at a grandchild’s school, and I blew it! The schools had been shut for visits since COVID, but now the golden opportunity was open again. Instead of taking fried chicken, pizza or a juicy hamburger like all the other grandparents, I was going to do better and healthier. In pouring down rain, I stopped at a health food store and bought my grandson a pina colada smoothie with protein and his favorite fruit. I also took him an organic nectarine (he didn’t know what a nectarine was), but ate, and other healthy options.  He didn’t like the expensive smoothie because it tasted gritty from bits of coconut in it.  This grandson texted me the night before and the following morning in anticipation and saying, “you can bring food grandma” and “whatcha gonna bring?” My response, “I Know.” “Its’s a surprise.” It was a surprise alright and almost a complete disaster. When I left the school, I felt like a complete flop. I had forgotten that my grandson had developed the taste bud of the culture.  When I sent a text to apologize, the grandson’s response was, “No need to apologize grandma, at least you came.” He appreciated my presence as he recognized many grandparents were not there.

God in Isaiah 33:10ff described the horrendous doom that was coming to Assyria. The LORD follows by giving a foreshadow of the wonderful bliss that awaits Israel despite her sin. Chapter 34 is quite a depressing read of the tribulation to come to all the nations, however, in Chapter 35, the LORD gives a snippet of His coming Kingdom and it’s blessing. In Chapter 36, Isaiah takes us back to reality and the demise of Judah’s siege by Assyria as they are being taunted and ridiculed by the Assyrian commander. King Hezekiah, one of the good kings of Judah was determined to make a stand with God and trust Him completely despite the odds. The Assyrian commander had the ignorant audacity to challenge God. God showed up and made His presence known in an unforgettable way. David in Psalm 64:10 reminds us that “the righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him, and all the upright in heart will glory.” Our culture is a mess. As parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, we must continue to let our presence be known and fight the good fight of righteousness. May Almighty God empower us to not stay in dismay but walk and live by the Spirit of God within each believer and show forth God’s Presence. Galatians 5:25