Tag: daily devotion

In Seasons of Struggle. And…

in Seasons of Strength.

2 Chronicles 32-33

In 2 Chronicles 32, we see King Hezekiah face overwhelming odds as the mighty Assyrian army threatens Jerusalem. In this moment of crisis, Hezekiah listened to the prophet Isaiah and turned to God with courage and prayer. God answered powerfully, as he sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian soldiers, delivering Judah from their enemies. It’s a powerful picture of faith under pressure – God was glorified through Hezekiah’s faith and hence, Jerusalem was protected.

Unfortunately, once the threat had passed and success was secured, Hezekiah faltered. In his pride, he failed to give thanks for God’s blessings, and judgment nearly comes upon him, until he humbles himself once again. His story reminds us that remaining faithful isn’t just for hard times – it’s a daily posture, even in seasons of comfort and strength.

In chapter 33, we meet his son, Manasseh – a king who begins with blatant rebellion and leads his nation into idolatry and evil. Yet, even Manasseh, after being taken captive, humbles himself before God. Astonishingly, God restores him!

The rise and fall of these two kings show us both the blessings of obedience, the consequences of our disobedience, and the gracious mercy that awaits repentant hearts. Remaining faithful to God isn’t a one-time decision, rather it is a lifelong journey! Hezekiah’s pride and Manasseh’s rebellion serve as warnings and encouragements. God is patient, but He desires our hearts fully, in every season – whether we are in a season of strength or a season of struggle. God calls us to faithfulness at all times, as displayed by our humility, obedience, repentance, and trust in Him.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to remain faithful to You, not only in times of need but also in times of blessing. Protect me from evil, that my heart would be humble and obedient. Please have mercy on me and draw me back to You quickly when I stray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• How does God’s willingness to forgive even the worst rebellion shape the way I treat others who fail? Do I extend the same mercy that I hope to receive?

• Am I more likely to seek God in crisis than in comfort? How can I cultivate a heart that remains humble and repentant even when life seems to be going great?

• In what ways can I live for God today, as a response to God’s radical love and forgiveness in my life?

• What does true repentance look like – not just in words, but in action? 

-Beth Osborn

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Big Trouble Brewing

2 Kings 20-21


In 2 Kings 20, we see King Hezekiah, a ruler who (mostly) honored the Lord and brought reform to Judah. When he fell ill, he prayed earnestly, and God mercifully extended his life by fifteen years. Yet even this godly king displayed flaws and selfish pride, especially during the end of his rule. After his recovery, he proudly showed off his treasures and bragged to the Babylons, failing to seek God’s wisdom instead. This prideful act led to Isaiah’s sobering prophecy and indeed Babylon would one day carry all of his riches away. Hezekiah also showed a lack of care or concern for the people who would come after him. He was pleased just to know that the Lord’s wrath wouldn’t fall upon Jerusalem during his lifetime. He did not set up future generations for success.

In chapter 21, we meet Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, who reigned for 55 years. Unlike his father, Manasseh rejected the Lord completely! He rebuilt pagan altars, was engaged in every form of occultism, including black magic, fortune-telling, demon contacts, and even child sacrifice. Manasseh led Judah deeper into sin than the nations God had driven out before them. The history of God’s people was a history of disobedience toward the Lord. With the reign of Manasseh, the sin of God’s people climaxed, God’s patience was withdrawn, and the judgement of exile became inevitable.

The contrast is striking: King Hezekiah sought God yet stumbled in pride; King Manasseh abandoned God altogether. This contrast reminds us that faith must be personal, it cannot be inherited. Hezekiah’s faith didn’t guarantee Manasseh’s obedience. Likewise, partial obedience or past faithfulness doesn’t excuse compromise. God calls each of us to a life of daily trust and surrender.

Prayer:

Lord, help me walk humbly before You, not resting in yesterday’s faith, but living in daily obedience. Keep me from pride and arrogance and please lead my heart to fully trust in You and Your precious son, Jesus. In his name we pray, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Where might you be relying on past spiritual victories, rather than seeking renewed dependence on God today?

• Are there areas in your life where pride or compromise have crept in?

• Are there “treasures” that you show off, revealing misplaced confidence?

• What legacy of faith are you building for those who come after you? 

-Beth Osborn

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All Things New!

Isaiah 64-66


The final chapters of Isaiah turn from sin and exile to a glorious, eternal promise: God will make all things new! These chapters are echoed through the New Testament and Revelation, pointing to the coming Kingdom of God!

Isaiah 64:1 begins with the longing: “Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down!” It’s the heart-cry of a people who’ve seen the brokenness of the world and long for God’s presence to change everything. Isaiah confesses sin, but he also appeals to God’s nature as Father and Redeemer. The coming Kingdom won’t just be a fix for the troubles of this world, but it will be a family reunion, where God will triumphantly restore His children!

In Isaiah 65, God answers the cry of his people with staggering promises. He speaks of new heavens and a new earth, a place of peace, joy, and justice. No more weeping. Long lives. Fruitful labor. Harmony between creation and Creator. This is not merely symbolic, it’s a literal vision of what God is preparing for those who love Him! Revelation 21 goes into further detail of the hope we have in the promise of His coming Kingdom.

Isaiah 66 is both sobering and glorious. God will come in fire and judgment against all pride, hypocrisy, and idolatry. He will also gather nations, comfort His people like a mother comforts her child, and establish global worship that never ends. All flesh will bow before Him, and His Kingdom will endure forever.

Isaiah 64-66 reminds us that this world is not the end of the story. The brokenness we see now will be consumed by the glory to come. God’s future Kingdom is not just about future perfection – it’s a living hope that shapes how we live today. Every word and act of faith and love is a preview of the Kingdom that will be revealed. Like Isaiah, we cry out for God to “rend the heavens”- establishing his eternal Kingdom on earth.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the promise of a new heaven and a new earth! Thank You that Your Kingdom will come and Your will be done – perfectly, eternally, and joyfully. Help me to live today with eternity in view, to be faithful, and to carry Your light as I wait for Your glory to be revealed. Come quickly, Lord Jesus – Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Do you recognize God as the potter, and yourself as the clay? How do you demonstrate this and acknowledge your dependence on Him?

• What part of God’s future Kingdom gives you the most hope right now?

• How does knowing the end of the story change how you face today’s challenges?

-Beth Osborn

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Not Vague Hopes but Guaranteed Realities – God’s Promises

Isaiah 59-63


These chapters are a crescendo of God’s redemptive plan. From the confession of sin in Isaiah 59 to the celebration of salvation in Isaiah 63, we see a God who refuses to leave His people in darkness. Though judgment is real and sin has separated people from Him, God promises to act, not because His people are worthy, but because He is faithful.

Isaiah 59 opens with a hard truth: the problem is not that God is distant, but that sin separates us from Him. Yet God does not abandon His people. In verses 15–20, He looks and sees there is no one to intercede, so He promises to send a savior who will put on righteousness like armor and salvation like a helmet. This is a clear prophetic picture of Jesus, the Redeemer, who comes to Zion and turns hearts from transgression.

Isaiah 60:1 is stated as an enthusiastic command: “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”

God promises a day when His glory will shine on His people, even though darkness covers the earth. This is not merely for dramatic effect, it is the fulfillment of God’s plan to make His people a light to the nations. In Christ, this light has come, and now we are called to shine with His glory!

Isaiah 61 contains one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture, the mission of the coming Messiah:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…” (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus quoted this very passage in Luke 4 and said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” God promises comfort, freedom, healing, and restoration. He trades ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise.

God is not content to redeem, He delights to rejoice over His people. In Isaiah 62:4 He says, “You will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married).” No longer forsaken, no longer desolate, God’s people will be treasured, honored, and watched over like a crown in His hand.

God shows up as a mighty warrior, executing justice and salvation in Isaiah 63. He judges evil but also remembers mercy. In verses 7-9, the prophet recalls God’s faithful love and how He personally rescued and carried His people, to magnify His name in the world. His promises are not cold declarations, they are acts of compassion, flowing from His heart.

God’s promises are not vague hopes, they are guaranteed realities. When sin separates, He comes to redeem. When darkness falls, His glory rises. When the broken cry out, He binds their wounds. And when His people forget, He remembers. He is the God who keeps His covenants forever.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You are the God who keeps Your promises. When I am weak, You fight for me. When I am broken, You heal. When I am in darkness, You shine. Help me trust Your Word, live in Your truth, and walk in the light of Your glory. In your son Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Where do you struggle to put your trust in God?

• How have you grieved God’s Holy Spirit & have you repented, turned from sin, and gratefully accepted restoration?

• How has God’s light shone through you, in the midst of darkness?

• Are you walking in the identity and mission God has given you? 

-Beth Osborn

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Our Faithful God’s Big Promises and Plans

Isaiah 54-58

Isaiah 54-58 paints a beautiful picture of God’s mercy, restoration, and covenant faithfulness. While written in the context of Israel’s exile and return, these words convey God’s love and faithfulness for all generations and people. They offer hope of the New Covenant, which is fulfilled in Christ and graciously extended to all who call upon His name.

In Isaiah 54, God speaks to a people who feel forgotten and barren. They have lost trust in God, and betrayed him numerous times. Yet, He invites them to sing with joy and promises to enlarge their tents! Why? Because He is about to fulfill His promise of restoration. Though they had strayed, His covenant of peace stands firm:

“With everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:8)

“My unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (Isaiah 54:10)

God knows exactly what He intends his people to become. He knows exactly what circumstances, both good and bad, are necessary to produce that result in our life. Will we trust him through it all, with greater faith and obedience than the Israelites?

God himself grants an invitation to the weary and empty in Isaiah 55.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1)

It’s important to note, that this is not a transaction but a gift. The gift of life, of forgiveness, and of purpose. Isaiah points us to a “Davidic covenant” made new: an everlasting covenant for all who will listen and obey God’s Word. His promises are not vague hopes, rather they are declarations backed by His unchanging character.

In the New Covenant, Jesus is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. The “free” offer in Isaiah 55 becomes the gospel invitation: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s thoughts and ways are far above our own. This doesn’t mean He is indifferent to our suffering, rather that His plan is bigger than what we can see or understand. In our limited perspective, we often can’t fully understand what God is doing. But Isaiah assures us that God is always at work, even when we can’t fathom his ways.

In Isaiah 56, God declares that the foreigner and the eunuch (those who were once excluded), now have a place in His house. The New Covenant throws the doors wide open! No one is too far gone, too broken, or too different. In Christ, all are welcomed and made new. That is excellent news for us, as Gentiles!

Isaiah 57 declares that God dwells in two places: the high and holy place, and with the contrite and lowly in spirit. That’s the mystery of grace. He’s not looking for spiritual perfection, but for hearts that are humble and honest. The New Covenant brings God near, not because we’ve earned it, but because Christ has made the way.

The New Covenant doesn’t reward the proud or the religious elite. It finds its home in the hearts of those who know their need and bow before God in humility, repentance, and dependence.

Religion says, “I messed up, my Dad is going to kill me!”, whereas Sonship says, “I messed up, I need my Dad’s help!”

Isaiah 58 makes it clear that God isn’t impressed with hypocritical, half-hearted religion. He desires hearts that reflect His justice and compassion. Fasting, prayer, and worship are empty if they’re disconnected from love for the Father and love for others. Proper fasting humbles us, blesses others, and honors God. This echoes the heart of Jesus’ ministry. The New Covenant reshapes our worship, not just as acts of ritual and obedience, but as a life poured out for others, empowered by the Spirit of God, and rewarded with blessings of salvation and the Messiah’s kingdom!

Let us live as grateful recipients of the New Covenant. Set apart and motivated not by religious performance, but by a relationship with our loving Creator. May we display trust, obedience, and confident hope in the one true God, our loving and merciful Father, who always keeps His promises.

Prayer:

Father in heaven, let me receive Your grace freely and trust that Your Word will bear fruit in my life. Come and dwell in me, not because I am worthy, but because You are full of mercy. Father, teach me to worship You in truth, not just with words, but with action. May my life reflect the love, kindness, and action that You desire. In your son, Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Reflection Questions:

• Where in your life have you doubted God’s faithfulness?

• Is your faith more about ritual (religion) or relationship (sonship) ?

• Do you believe that God’s ways are better than yours, even when life hurts?

• What areas of life do you need to surrender to God, allowing Him to turn your brokenness into beauty, for his glory?

• How can you practice “true fasting” this week? 

-Beth Osborn

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Faithful Heritage

Isaiah 51-53

The first year that I attended National Berean Youth Camp (aka RYOT, aka FUEL) way back in the late 1980’s, I was overwhelmed by the number of familial relations. Everyone seemed to be related to everyone else! I was the odd man out because I didn’t have twenty cousins also in attendance at camp. As I have grown up and continued to be involved with the Church of God General Conference, I am still discovering others’ family connections. But I am excited that my family of origin now has a third generation participating in COG events! 

The rich history of the Church of God is like a beautiful family tree that has incredibly deep roots that go back for more than a century! As a Conference we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation, helping the young ones to know where they come from and what earlier generations have done on their behalf. At the same time, we continue to graft new fellow believers into this family tree giving them a secure foundation on which to build their faith and grow their own family branches.

In today’s Scripture reading, God, through the prophet Isaiah, is reminding the people of Israel, that they have a rich heritage that extends back to Abraham and Sarah. From one couple, an entire nation was born! And what’s exciting is that you and I get to be part of that heritage as well! 

Isaiah 51:1b-2a remind me of what the apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:14-15: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

We can be sure in what we believe because we have had trustworthy teachers, preachers, mentors, and leaders that have remained by our side as we grow deeper in our understanding of the Word of God about who God is, what has been accomplished on our behalf, and the abundant life that we are invited to participate in. My personal experience of those within the General Conference who have invested in my life are too many to count. I am so blessed and thankful, for it is their involvement in my life that has shaped who I am today. You and I have a similar opportunity to pay it forward with the same love and generosity by investing in others.

If you are reading this on the publish date, July 19, 2025, we have over two hundred FUEL participants (students and staff) that have just returned from FUEL, a week-long event designed to bring high school and college aged students closer to God, his Son, Jesus, and each other. If you know anyone who attended, be sure to reach out to them and ask them about their experience. Nurture the relationships that make the General Conference so incredible and encourage the next generation in their faith so that we can continue to grow the Family of God family tree.  

Reflection Questions

Who are the “Abrahams and Sarahs” in your life – people whose example reminds you of God’s faithfulness?

How does remembering your spiritual roots or faith heritage strengthen your trust in God today?

-Bethany Ligon

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Made to be a Light

Isaiah 49-50; Psalm 135

Isaiah 49:6b (NIV84) – “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

Some readers love poetry; they love the figurative language, the allusions, the complex ideas that are simmered down into short phrases. Poetry forces the reader to slow down and use critical thinking to comprehend what’s being communicated. Sometimes it also requires the reader to know a little bit about the author and his or her life at the time the piece was composed. 

I am not one of those readers. I prefer the author to be straightforward with me. Just tell me what you want me to know without all of the fancy language and references that I may or may not have prior knowledge of. 

Reading the book of Isaiah is similar to reading poetry for me. I have to really study it. I have to use additional resources and commentaries to get a clue what is being said. And while I don’t prefer to have to spend an hour just to understand one chapter, the mental exercise is good for me. So here is what I’ve learned about Isaiah 49, specifically verses one through six.

It is the second out of four Servant Songs in the book of Isaiah. A Servant Song is a passage of verses that refer to the Messiah, Jesus. Not only does this chapter reference Jesus well before he was born, but it also mentions Gentiles (those not of the Israelite community). It’s not the first and only time that Gentiles are mentioned, but because Jesus is also alluded to it’s interesting to have two New Testament concepts written about together in the Old Testament.

As we know, in his ministry, Jesus often suffered opposition and what looked like failure in his mission to restore all people to God in order to have an eternal relationship with Him in the coming Kingdom. Isaiah 49:4 talks about this. But as we also know, Jesus’s death was not the end of the story.  

While this knowledge is important to understand, what’s the application to our modern day lives? My answer to this question took me a while to formulate, but here’s what I’ve come up with. I’m sure that there are other applications, but we’ll not delve into those right now. 

While Jesus is the Servant, we are servants of Jesus. John 12:26 says, “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.” This means that we have the same ministry and mission that Jesus did: “to bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Is. 49:6b).

Second Corinthians 5:18-20 says it this way: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

We are the hands and feet of Jesus, continuing to share the Gospel message with those who do not know it yet. 

A missionary friend of mine works in a local community. Her mission field is the youth of this neighboring community. She recently shared in an update that during a midweek youth gathering she shared the Gospel message, something she does quite regularly, but this time the response from the teens was more than usual. Praise God! But after that, one teen girl approached her and told my friend that this was the first time that she had ever heard about Jesus. My immediate thought was, “How is this possible? In our modern society where access to anything a person could ever want to know about is first a few finger clicks away, that a young person has never heard the name of Jesus?” But it’s true, there are people in our neighborhoods that don’t know about Jesus and the gift of salvation that comes through him. 

My friends, the work is not yet done. As servants and followers of the Servant, Jesus, we have the task to continue to reconcile our friends and neighbors to God by sharing the Gospel message. We will have opposition and think that we are failing at our mission, but take heart, you have been chosen to bring the message of salvation to the end of the earth (or to your neighbor).

Reflection Questions

What does it mean to you that God knows you, calls you, and has a purpose for you even before you were born? How does that shape your identity?

When have you felt like your efforts for God were in vain? How can you learn to rest in God’s timing, even when results aren’t visible?

What might “the ends of the earth” look like in your own life right now? Who is God calling you to reach or encourage with His message of hope?

-Bethany Ligon

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Restore Us, O God

2 Kings 18:9-19:37
Psalm 46, 80

Have you ever noticed that when you’re in familiar surroundings, you don’t require all of your senses to function? For example, if you wake up in the middle of the night, can you make your way into the bathroom without turning on a light? Or have you ever found yourself “watching” something on the television while simultaneously scrolling on your phone. You look up to watch the television when you hear the music swell because you know something important is about to happen? 

But in unfamiliar environments, you require most of your senses, even if it doesn’t make sense? Am I the only one who turns down the volume of the radio while I’m driving when I am looking for a specific street sign? It’s like the brainpower used to listen to music needs to be redirected towards my sense of sight. Or when I am about to enjoy the first taste of something delicious, I don’t want any distractions; all I want is to savor the flavors in my mouth. Don’t talk to me, don’t have me look or study something, just let me appreciate what’s happening with my tastebuds. 

In today’s Psalm, the author is appealing to God in a time of national territorial struggle. Outside enemy forces are making their presence known and the nation of Israel is seeking God’s protection and restoration.

Three of the nineteen verses are identical. Verses three, seven, and nineteen all say, “Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” Let’s break this repeated appeal down.

Restore us, O God – make us right, heal us, put us back to where we were. Because of the disobedience of the people, their relationship with God has been broken or gotten off track. The petition to God for restoration acknowledges this. 

Make your face shine upon us – this phrase calls back to the Priestly blessing that is recorded in Numbers 6:24-26. When God’s face is shining upon His people, His blessings, His approval, His favor makes life more peaceful. But this can only be experienced when we are in right standing with God. When we are not in right standing with God, it’s like His face is hidden from us. It’s like the lights in the room are on, but we still cannot see; the volume on the television is turned up high, but we still cannot hear; we can add all the seasoning to food, but we still cannot taste it. We walk through our daily lives like it’s unfamiliar territory. We’re seeking for something to make sense and may even turn to external (and ungodly) sources for relief. But nothing can substitute the experience of God’s face shining upon those He loves and who are in right standing with Him.

That we may be saved – When God’s people have been restored and are in right standing with Him, and His favor is among the people, salvation from threats of the enemy is at hand.

The next time you find yourself in an especially challenging trial, mimic King Hezekiah who literally laid his problem out before God and made his appeal that God take action against the enemy. Ask God if there is anything that needs restoration in your life. Request God to make His face shine upon you. And then believe with all of your heart that God will act on your behalf. The course of action that God may take may not make sense and His timing could be very different than what you would like, but know that God sees those who love him and are committed to remain in right standing with Him. And even in the midst of the hard times, you can find peace to enjoy with all your senses the life God has planned out for you.

Reflection Questions

Describe a time when you felt God’s favor, peace, or presence in a tangible way. What was happening in your heart and life during that season?

What distractions – mental, emotional, digital, or physical – are keeping me from noticing or experiencing God’s presence fully?

How might I align myself with God today so that I am in ‘right standing’ with Him?

-Bethany Ligon

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Imposters

Isaiah 44-48

Each morning as I open and check my email inbox, I am compelled to clean out and delete all of the spam messages that are delivered as well. Every time, I “block sender” and yet those pesky messages still show up! Have you ever noticed how similar some of the spam messages are to a legitimate vendor or service? Most are easily identified as junk, but every once in a while, I need to look a bit more closely to see if it’s the real deal or not. According to a CBS report in April 2025 over $16.6 BILLION was lost due to fraudulent emails, text messages, and phone calls in the previous year. Imposters are very persistent and clever in disguising themselves as valid and trustworthy sources.

In Isaiah chapters 44-48, God emphasises that He alone is God, there is no other and none are like Him. In fact, there are nine times within this section that a variation of this phrase is stated. 

  • Isaiah 44:6
  • Isaiah 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22
  • Isaiah 46:9
  • Isaiah 48:12 (variation) 

As God’s people had been captured by Babylon, they were surrounded by false, fake gods. Through the prophet Isaiah, God makes it crystal clear who the REAL God is. 

The false, fake gods are man made. The one, true God made man and the entire universe.

The false, fake gods are unable to speak and fulfill promises. The one, true God not only claims things to come, but works to see those claims come to fruition.

The false, fake gods have no power, authority, or sovereignty. The one, true God orchestrates unlikely foreign leaders to rescue His people.

The false, fake gods cannot provide salvation. The one, true God is salvation for His people.

As a reader of this passage of Scripture, it’s tempting to think, “How could someone be duped by a false, fake god?”. But when you never seek and study the one, true God, it becomes a challenge to distinguish between the imposter and the authentic. When you are familiar with the characteristics, the qualities, the patterns, the motivations, and the promises of the one, true God, it becomes easier to discriminate against the attempts of the false, fake gods. 

So spend a little extra time today in the presence of the one, true God so your heart and mind can confidently claim, “There is no other; there is none like You”. 

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some “false, fake gods” or imposters in your life that compete for your attention, trust, or hope?
  1. How can you become more familiar with God so you’re not fooled by spiritual imposters?
  1. Finish this prayer: “God, there is no other; there is none like You because…”

-Bethany Ligon

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Just and Tender Father

Isaiah 40-43

Many, many years ago, as a novice classroom junior high teacher, I was learning what it meant to “be firm, be fair, be consistent”; which now as a veteran educator is my favorite word of advice to pass along to the next generation of teachers. 

One of my nicest, most reliable, hard-working students entered the classroom tardy one day. Any other week of the school year, I would have not given it a second thought and have her sit down and get to work – something she would have done naturally. However, the previous day, I had just had a stern conversation with the class about the importance of showing up on time and the consequences if anyone chose to be late to my class in the future. I had already taken attendance and wondered out loud if anyone knew where this particular student was. No one knew. A few minutes later, she walks in – without a pass. She paused as she entered the room. The rest of the class looked at her and then looked at me – was I really going to hold this ‘good kid’ accountable for what I just had said the day before? As much as I hated to do it, I reminded her that she would be eating lunch with me that day and the rest of the class knew if I meant business with this kid, I was absolutely serious about my message for the rest of them. 

Later on as I was holding this student during lunch, we talked about where she had been, why she didn’t have a pass, and how the entire incident was so out-of-character for her. Her explanations made sense and she understood why I had to do what I did. She was never late again.

In leadership, this style of management is often referred to as a “velvet hammer”. In other words, “be firm, be fair, and be consistent” with everyone, every time. 

As I read the opening verse of Isaiah 40 and the next couple of chapters of today’s Bible reading, I am reminded of the velvet hammer and my educator mantra. 

Through the prophet Isaiah, God had just completed pronouncing judgement on the Israelistes in the previous chapters, aka the “hammer”. Now, in what is sometimes referred to as the “Second Isaiah”, God is now offering comfort and encouragement to His people, aka “the velvet”. 

“Comfort, comfort”. With the repetition, you can almost hear the tenderness of a parent reassuring a child, “There, there, now. It’ll all be alright.” Discipline is never pleasant when the relationship is loving. The authority figure in the relationship knows that the pain and discomfort associated with accountability is necessary in order to provide guidance and direction for the child, follower, or subordinate. For the child, it’s a difficult reminder of the offense and the actions required to make things right again. However, with the reassurance that things can indeed be made right, the discipline is easier to accept. 

“My people”. Even though the Israelites have continued to make disappointing choices, God still claims them as His. Any other sovereign probably would have given up on such an obstinate group, but not the Almighty. His covenant with the Israelites is reaffirmed with these two words. God is not going anywhere, He is not giving up. 

“Says Your God”. And just as resolute as God is in holding up His side of the covenant relationship, He wants to remind the people that He longs for them to do the same. He still desires to be known as the God of Israel. There is nothing that can be said or done to make Him want anything less. Additionally, God is reminding them that amid all the other false idol gods that have been manufactured, He alone is their God. He is the one who is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. He alone is “the LORD, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (v.40:28).

My hope and prayer for you reading this today is that if you’ve ever experienced God’s discipline, you’ve also experienced His tenderness and mercy. God loves you more than you can possibly imagine and His discipline is evidence of this love. Cling tightly to our Father because He is always faithful, always present, always full of grace and mercy, always all-powerful, always right there where we need Him to be. May you be comforted by this covenant of love today. 

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you experienced God’s ‘velvet hammer’ – a moment of discipline wrapped in love and mercy?
  1. How does God calling the Israelites “my people” after their failures, influence your own identity and relationship with God, especially after you have missed the mark?
  1. How does knowing that God is both just and tender shape your trust in Him?

-Bethany Ligon

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