RECAP: TAKE FLIGHT based on Isaiah 40:1-9, 27-31
Judah had every reason to be discouraged and weary. No matter what view you take of Bible scholarship, Judah went through a significant ordeal. If you take the traditional view of a unified author for Isaiah, then Judah had just endured and survived the Assyrian invasion. Yes, Jerusalem and the temple did not fall, but the rest of the country had been devastated. If you take a two author approach to Isaiah, then the nation is in exile in Babylon; Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed, and the people are picking up the pieces. Either way, the nation had suffered a traumatic event and were weary, discouraged, and tired.
Have we ever felt weary, discouraged, and tired? Maybe we feel that way right now, especially when we assess the state of our country. Many of you have stated to me that you do not recognize your country anymore. Yet, even in the midst of weariness and despair, God sends us a message of comfort and hope, encouraging us to take flight. How was Judah encouraged to get there? And how will we get there?
1) Remove the obstacles. A plane that is about to take off needs a clear runway; any object in the path will affect the ability to take off and jeopardize the safety of everyone on board. The same concept was true then. When a king would travel, emissaries would be sent ahead of the caravan to “make straight” the way for the king. They were charged with removing any obstacle that would jeopardize the safety of the king.
Judah, and us today, are encouraged to do the same thing. We need to remove those obstacles first that would prevent King Jesus from being able to arrive in the midst of our weariness and despair. Sometimes, it takes an investment. It is hard work to level a mountain into a plain, or to fill up a valley so it is level ground! But it is those obstacles that trip us up and keep us from walking into the fullness of God, and keeps us grounded.
2) Place your trust in God’s Word. Judah had adopted a fatalistic worldview in light of the devastation; the grass withers and the flowers fall. In other words, there is no hope, no way to stop the inevitable. But Isaiah declared that the Word of our LORD endures forever. When God speaks, it will be. God’s Word is stronger than any obstacle or force of nature that could oppose us. Satan wants us to remain discouraged, engaged in lies and ignore the truth. But the truth brings hope and sets us free. For what God said will be will always be!
3) Make a declaration of faith. Judah was encouraged strongly to go up to the mountain top and declare, “Here is our God!” They had no reason to do so, but they were encouraged to do so because when we declare the truths of God, we remind ourselves who God is and encourage our spirits. This is not name it claim it, or a trend on Tik Tok like the 369 Manifestation, where you declare what you want to come into existence and mandate the universe to listen. No, this is declaring the very person of God (He is our help, our shield, our defender, etc.). It is also declaring what the Word declares we are (we are a chosen people, we are God’s treasured possession, etc.). And as we speak the truth, we begin to find the strength to rise.
4)Trust in, hope in and wait upon the LORD. Those that hope in the LORD will renew their strength. Just like we hold on to God for dear life like holding on to a rope on the edge of a cliff, so too we place our trust in God firmly. We might not have the strength to continue on our own, but he is our strength. And as we wait upon him, spending time with him, developing that deep relationship with him, we are filled with his goodness, his mercy, and his strength.
We are made to soar like eagles. We are not meant to struggle and scrap; we are created to soar. God has a good plan for Beaver Creek, and he has a good plan for each and everyone of us. Will we embrace the plan?
The music video, “He Believes in You,” aired during the service, written by Danny Gokey, can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QjOs0q1QBE
Questions for Reflection
1) What obstacles keep you from walking in the fullness of God?
2) How regularly do you invest in reading the Word?
3) What declarations of faith do you need to make today?
4) Where does your hope lie?
Upcoming Service
This Sunday, Pastor Ryan will continue the “What’s Next” series with the sermon titled “Into the Unknown,” based on Numbers 13:17-33. How can we venture into the unknown with confidence, like Caleb, instead of succumbing to fear like Israel? Come or tune in Sunday to find out!
Daily Bible Readings for October 12 – 18
October 12: 2 Kings 23 How did Josiah lead the nation of Judah in a time of renewal?
October 13: 2 Chronicles 5:7-6:2 How did God show his presence with the people?
October 14: Ezra 10:1-17 How did Ezra lead Judah in a time of renewal?
October 15: Ezekiel 37:1-14 How can God renew that which is dead?
October 16: Joel 2:12-32 What role do we play in renewal, and what role does God play?
October 17: Genesis 37 What was Joseph’s dream? Was it derailed by his brothers?
October 18: Genesis 39 How did the episode of Potiphar’s wife impact Joseph’s dream?
This Week’s Events:
Tuesday, October 12–Called Leadership Team Meeting w/ District @ 7 pm
Upcoming Events:
Thursday, October 21–Regular Leadership Team Meeting @ 7 pm
Sunday, October 24–Council Mtg & Chili Cook Off
Sunday, October 31–Love Feast & Torrey baptism
Friday, November 5 – Saturday, November 6–Beaver Creek Cares
Announcements:
Care for Members
As you know, many of our members have come down with COVID. Several have expressed a desire to help. Please connect with Joe LaPrade and Men’s Fellowship.
Call for Worship Leaders and Children’s Story
As we look at the ability to reopen in the coming weeks, we are in need of both worship leaders and children’s story. We are looking for one person each week, rather than a month at a time. If you would like to serve, contact Alice Over (worship leading) or Tammy Stine (children’s story).
Call to Prayer & Discernment
Let us continue to pray for our nation in the following ways:
1) National return to God
2) Repentance of personal sin
3) Repentance of corporate sin
4) Healing for the brokenness of relationships
5) Our leaders
6) Revival
7) Guidance for our congregation in the days ahead
Book Study during Sunday School–all who do not have a class are welcome to attend!
The Fidelis Class has begun a new book study for Sunday School called Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel. If you are not actively involved in a Sunday School class, you are invited to participate in this book study! It started October 10.
Nursery
Misti Wheelbarger is looking for volunteers for the nursery during the Sunday School hour for next year. If you are willing to help, even if it is just for a Sunday, please reach out to her and let her know.
Four Ways to Give!
1) Mail your tithe into the church office
2) Drop it by the church office on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, 9 am – 1 pm
3) Our online giving platform: https://beavercreekchurchva.churchcenter.com/giving
4) Drop off in the offering plate on Sunday!
Prayer Needs
Continue to Keep in Prayer our members in Skilled Care Facilities: Mary G Miller, Shirley Miller, Stanley Suter & Carolyn Wine
John Bennington (health)
Patsy Dastoli (health)
Elijah Tucker Dean (health)
Bill Eckard (health)
Brad Eckard (COVID recovery)
John Fix (addiction)
Janet Good (health)
Cindy Heatwole (health)
Jason Jordan (health)
Heath Kimmell (health)
Gene LaPrade (health)
Larry LaPrade (COVID)
Lent family (work)
Barbara Meadows (health)
Alda Miller (health)
Betty Miller (health)
Forest & Marlene Miller (COVID)
Mary G Miller (health)
Marty Moore (recovery)
Tami Plaugher (health)
Lottie Ritchie (health)
Victor Samalot (health)
Chris Shirk (health)
Ann Simmons (health)
Crystal Smith (health)
Tammy Stine (broken ankle)
Carlyle Whitelow (COVID)
Mary Whitmore (health)
Whitmore family (COVID)
Owen Wright (health)
Pastor Ryan Cooper
Beaver Creek COB