Do You Trust God to Answer Your Prayer?

“Then Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.’ So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked, and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And seven times he said, ‘Go again.’ Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’ So he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.”’” 1 KINGS 18:41-44

 

PONDER THIS

We need to keep praying until God rains down on us. Here was a man who knocked and kept knocking—and that’s what we need to do. If God doesn’t answer your prayer, just keep praying. That brings up the question of how long we should continue to pray. You continue to knock until you have the answer in your hand or in your heart, or until God says no. If you have the answer in your hand, you don’t have to keep asking. Now, you may have the answer in your heart, and God may say, “I have heard your prayer. Wait on Me.”

I once had a deep prayer request concerning some of my loved ones. I tried to tell God how to do it, but He would not let me instruct Him. One day, He said to me, “Adrian, you trust Me. I’m going to take care of it. I have heard your prayer.” Now it took a while, but I had the answer in my heart.

Sometimes God will just simply say no. Why? Because He doesn’t love us? No, because He does love us. The answer may be direct; the answer may be different; the answer may be delayed. But God answers prayer.

Why do we fail to continue in prayer before God?

When have you struggled with waiting for God’s answer to your prayer? What did you do? What did you learn?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk with a friend about how he or she responds when God doesn’t answer prayer quickly or as we desire.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Let Goods and Kindred Go

Recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (Hebrews 10:32–35)

The Christians in Hebrews 10:32–35 have earned the right to teach us about costly love.

The situation appears to be this: In the early days of their conversion, some of them were imprisoned for their faith. The others were confronted with a difficult choice: Shall we go underground and stay “safe,” or shall we visit our brothers and sisters in prison and risk our lives and property? They chose the way of love and accepted the cost.

“For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property.”

But were they losers? No. They lost property and gained joy! They joyfully accepted the loss.

In one sense, they denied themselves. It was real and costly. But in another sense, they did not. They chose the way of joy. Evidently, these Christians were motivated for prison ministry the same way the Macedonians (of 2 Corinthians 8:1–9) were motivated to relieve the poor. Their joy in God overflowed in love for others.

They looked at their own lives and said, “The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life” (see Psalm 63:3).

They looked at all their possessions and said, “We have a possession in heaven that is better and lasts longer than any of this” (see Hebrews 10:34).

Then they looked at each other and said — perhaps sang — something like Martin Luther’s great hymn:

Let goods and kindred go

This mortal life also

The body they may kill

God’s truth abideth still

His kingdom is forever

John Piper

September 22

Luke 24:13-27

On the Road to Emmaus

[13] That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14] and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. [15] While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. [16] But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. [17] And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. [18] Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” [19] And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, [20] and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. [21] But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. [22] Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, [23] and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. [24] Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” [25] And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Hebrews 12:1-13

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

[3] Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. [4] In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 

    “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

        nor be weary when reproved by him. 

    [6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

        and chastises every son whom he receives.”

    [7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

[12] Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Proverbs 24:1-14

    [1] Be not envious of evil men,

        nor desire to be with them, 

    [2] 

    for their hearts devise violence,

        and their lips talk of trouble.

    [3] 

    By wisdom a house is built,

        and by understanding it is established; 

    [4] 

    by knowledge the rooms are filled

        with all precious and pleasant riches. 

    [5] 

    A wise man is full of strength,

        and a man of knowledge enhances his might, 

    [6] 

    for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

        and in abundance of counselors there is victory. 

    [7] 

    Wisdom is too high for a fool;

        in the gate he does not open his mouth.

    [8] 

    Whoever plans to do evil

        will be called a schemer. 

    [9] 

    The devising of folly is sin,

        and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

    [10] 

    If you faint in the day of adversity,

        your strength is small. 

    [11] 

    Rescue those who are being taken away to death;

        hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 

    [12] 

    If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”

        does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

    Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,

        and will he not repay man according to his work?

    [13] 

    My son, eat honey, for it is good,

        and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 

    [14] 

    Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

        if you find it, there will be a future,

        and your hope will not be cut off.

Isaiah 56

Salvation for Foreigners

    [1] Thus says the LORD:

    “Keep justice, and do righteousness,

    for soon my salvation will come,

        and my righteousness be revealed. 

    [2] Blessed is the man who does this,

        and the son of man who holds it fast,

    who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it,

        and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

    [3] Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say,

        “The LORD will surely separate me from his people”;

    and let not the eunuch say,

        “Behold, I am a dry tree.” 

    [4] For thus says the LORD:

    “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,

        who choose the things that please me

        and hold fast my covenant, 

    [5] I will give in my house and within my walls

        a monument and a name

        better than sons and daughters;

    I will give them an everlasting name

        that shall not be cut off.

    [6] “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD,

        to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD,

        and to be his servants,

    everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it,

        and holds fast my covenant—

    [7] these I will bring to my holy mountain,

        and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

    their burnt offerings and their sacrifices

        will be accepted on my altar;

    for my house shall be called a house of prayer

        for all peoples.” 

    [8] The Lord GOD,

        who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares,

    “I will gather yet others to him

        besides those already gathered.”

    Israel’s Irresponsible Leaders

    [9] All you beasts of the field, come to devour—

        all you beasts in the forest. 

    [10] His watchmen are blind;

        they are all without knowledge;

    they are all silent dogs;

        they cannot bark,

    dreaming, lying down,

        loving to slumber. 

    [11] The dogs have a mighty appetite;

        they never have enough.

    But they are shepherds who have no understanding;

        they have all turned to their own way,

        each to his own gain, one and all. 

    [12] “Come,” they say, “let me get wine;

        let us fill ourselves with strong drink;

    and tomorrow will be like this day,

        great beyond measure.”

Isaiah 57

Israel’s Futile Idolatry

    [1] The righteous man perishes,

        and no one lays it to heart;

    devout men are taken away,

        while no one understands.

    For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; 

    [2]     he enters into peace;

    they rest in their beds

        who walk in their uprightness. 

    [3] But you, draw near,

        sons of the sorceress,

        offspring of the adulterer and the loose woman. 

    [4] Whom are you mocking?

        Against whom do you open your mouth wide

        and stick out your tongue?

    Are you not children of transgression,

        the offspring of deceit, 

    [5] you who burn with lust among the oaks,

        under every green tree,

    who slaughter your children in the valleys,

        under the clefts of the rocks? 

    [6] Among the smooth stones of the valley is your portion;

        they, they, are your lot;

    to them you have poured out a drink offering,

        you have brought a grain offering.

        Shall I relent for these things? 

    [7] On a high and lofty mountain

        you have set your bed,

        and there you went up to offer sacrifice. 

    [8] Behind the door and the doorpost

        you have set up your memorial;

    for, deserting me, you have uncovered your bed,

        you have gone up to it,

        you have made it wide;

    and you have made a covenant for yourself with them,

        you have loved their bed,

        you have looked on nakedness. 

    [9] You journeyed to the king with oil

        and multiplied your perfumes;

    you sent your envoys far off,

        and sent down even to Sheol. 

    [10] You were wearied with the length of your way,

        but you did not say, “It is hopeless”;

    you found new life for your strength,

        and so you were not faint.

    [11] Whom did you dread and fear,

        so that you lied,

    and did not remember me,

        did not lay it to heart?

    Have I not held my peace, even for a long time,

        and you do not fear me? 

    [12] I will declare your righteousness and your deeds,

        but they will not profit you. 

    [13] When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!

        The wind will carry them all off,

        a breath will take them away.

    But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land

        and shall inherit my holy mountain.

    Comfort for the Contrite

    [14] And it shall be said,

    “Build up, build up, prepare the way,

        remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” 

    [15] For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

        who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

    “I dwell in the high and holy place,

        and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

    to revive the spirit of the lowly,

        and to revive the heart of the contrite. 

    [16] For I will not contend forever,

        nor will I always be angry;

    for the spirit would grow faint before me,

        and the breath of life that I made. 

    [17] Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry,

        I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,

        but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart. 

    [18] I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;

        I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, 

    [19]     creating the fruit of the lips.

    Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD,

        “and I will heal him. 

    [20] But the wicked are like the tossing sea;

        for it cannot be quiet,

        and its waters toss up mire and dirt. 

    [21] There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

Isaiah 58

True and False Fasting

    [1] “Cry aloud; do not hold back;

        lift up your voice like a trumpet;

    declare to my people their transgression,

        to the house of Jacob their sins. 

    [2] Yet they seek me daily

        and delight to know my ways,

    as if they were a nation that did righteousness

        and did not forsake the judgment of their God;

    they ask of me righteous judgments;

        they delight to draw near to God. 

    [3] ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

        Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

    Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,

        and oppress all your workers. 

    [4] Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight

        and to hit with a wicked fist.

    Fasting like yours this day

        will not make your voice to be heard on high. 

    [5] Is such the fast that I choose,

        a day for a person to humble himself?

    Is it to bow down his head like a reed,

        and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him?

    Will you call this a fast,

        and a day acceptable to the LORD?

    [6] “Is not this the fast that I choose:

        to loose the bonds of wickedness,

        to undo the straps of the yoke,

    to let the oppressed go free,

        and to break every yoke? 

    [7] Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

        and bring the homeless poor into your house;

    when you see the naked, to cover him,

        and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 

    [8] Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

        and your healing shall spring up speedily;

    your righteousness shall go before you;

        the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. 

    [9] Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;

        you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’

    If you take away the yoke from your midst,

        the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 

    [10] if you pour yourself out for the hungry

        and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

    then shall your light rise in the darkness

        and your gloom be as the noonday. 

    [11] And the LORD will guide you continually

        and satisfy your desire in scorched places

        and make your bones strong;

    and you shall be like a watered garden,

        like a spring of water,

        whose waters do not fail. 

    [12] And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;

        you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

    you shall be called the repairer of the breach,

        the restorer of streets to dwell in.

    [13] “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath,

        from doing your pleasure on my holy day,

    and call the Sabbath a delight

        and the holy day of the LORD honorable;

    if you honor it, not going your own ways,

        or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 

    [14] then you shall take delight in the LORD,

        and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;

    I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

        for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Do You Bring Your Desires to God?

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7

 

PONDER THIS

When you pray, don’t get the idea that there are spiritual things you can ask for and secular things you cannot ask for. The Bible never divides life between the sacred and the secular. With God, every task is a holy task, and every day is a holy day. Can you imagine Jesus dividing His life into the sacred and the secular? Can you imagine Jesus saying, “Now, Father, when I preach, I want anointing, but the rest of the time I’ll do it Myself”? No, you see, “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” A good test as to whether you should move forward in an area is to consider if you can ask God to help you or ask God to do it through you with a clear heart and mind. Whatever you desire, tell God. Ask Him.

But what if you want the wrong thing? Tell Him. Say, “Lord, I want the wrong thing. Have mercy on me, O God. Fix my wants.” The truth is, you can’t hide from God. If you want it, He already knows it, doesn’t He? So, tell Him. Pray about everything. The responsibility for asking is ours. The responsibility for giving is God’s. Just ask. Learn to ask God for what you want and trust Him to respond in the way that is best.

What is something you struggle to ask God for?

What should we do when God’s answer to our prayer is different than we want?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray and talk to God about your wants and needs.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Ammunition Against Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

One of the things we are thankful for when we let our requests be known to God is his promises. These are the ammunition in the cannon that cuts down the unbelief that produces worry. So here’s how I fight.

When I am anxious about my ministry being useless and empty, I fight unbelief with the promise of Isaiah 55:11. “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

When I am anxious about being too weak to do my work, I battle unbelief with the promise of Christ, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

When I am anxious about decisions I have to make about the future, I battle unbelief with the promise, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8).

When I am anxious about facing opponents, I battle unbelief with the promise, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

When I am anxious about the welfare of those I love, I battle unbelief with the promise that if I, being evil, know how to give good things to my children, “how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11).

And I fight to maintain my spiritual equilibrium with the reminder that everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for Christ’s sake, shall “receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30).

When I am anxious about being sick, I battle unbelief with the promise, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

And I take the promise with trembling: “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3–5).

John Piper 

September 21

Luke 24:1-12

The Resurrection

[1] But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, [3] but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. [5] And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” [8] And they remembered his words, [9] and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. [10] Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, [11] but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. [12] But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Hebrews 11:32-40

[32] And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—[33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. [35] Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. [36] Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—[38] of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

[39] And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, [40] since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Proverbs 28:15-28

    [15] 

    Like a roaring lion or a charging bear

        is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 

    [16] 

    A ruler who lacks understanding is a cruel oppressor,

        but he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days. 

    [17] 

    If one is burdened with the blood of another,

        he will be a fugitive until death;

        let no one help him. 

    [18] 

    Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered,

        but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. 

    [19] 

    Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,

        but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. 

    [20] 

    A faithful man will abound with blessings,

        but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. 

    [21] 

    To show partiality is not good,

        but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong. 

    [22] 

    A stingy man hastens after wealth

        and does not know that poverty will come upon him. 

    [23] 

    Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor

        than he who flatters with his tongue. 

    [24] 

    Whoever robs his father or his mother

        and says, “That is no transgression,”

        is a companion to a man who destroys. 

    [25] 

    A greedy man stirs up strife,

        but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. 

    [26] 

    Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,

        but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. 

    [27] 

    Whoever gives to the poor will not want,

        but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse. 

    [28] 

    When the wicked rise, people hide themselves,

        but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Isaiah 54

The Eternal Covenant of Peace

    [1] “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;

        break forth into singing and cry aloud,

        you who have not been in labor!

    For the children of the desolate one will be more

        than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD. 

    [2] “Enlarge the place of your tent,

        and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;

    do not hold back; lengthen your cords

        and strengthen your stakes. 

    [3] For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,

        and your offspring will possess the nations

        and will people the desolate cities.

    [4] “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;

        be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;

    for you will forget the shame of your youth,

        and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. 

    [5] For your Maker is your husband,

        the LORD of hosts is his name;

    and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,

        the God of the whole earth he is called. 

    [6] For the LORD has called you

        like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,

    like a wife of youth when she is cast off,

        says your God. 

    [7] For a brief moment I deserted you,

        but with great compassion I will gather you. 

    [8] In overflowing anger for a moment

        I hid my face from you,

    but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”

        says the LORD, your Redeemer.

    [9] “This is like the days of Noah to me:

        as I swore that the waters of Noah

        should no more go over the earth,

    so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,

        and will not rebuke you. 

    [10] For the mountains may depart

        and the hills be removed,

    but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

        and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”

        says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

    [11] “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,

        behold, I will set your stones in antimony,

        and lay your foundations with sapphires. 

    [12] I will make your pinnacles of agate,

        your gates of carbuncles,

        and all your wall of precious stones. 

    [13] All your children shall be taught by the LORD,

        and great shall be the peace of your children. 

    [14] In righteousness you shall be established;

        you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;

        and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 

    [15] If anyone stirs up strife,

        it is not from me;

    whoever stirs up strife with you

        shall fall because of you. 

    [16] Behold, I have created the smith

        who blows the fire of coals

        and produces a weapon for its purpose.

    I have also created the ravager to destroy; 

    [17]     no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,

        and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.

    This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD

        and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

Isaiah 55

The Compassion of the LORD

    [1] “Come, everyone who thirsts,

        come to the waters;

    and he who has no money,

        come, buy and eat!

    Come, buy wine and milk

        without money and without price. 

    [2] Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,

        and your labor for that which does not satisfy?

    Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,

        and delight yourselves in rich food. 

    [3] Incline your ear, and come to me;

        hear, that your soul may live;

    and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,

        my steadfast, sure love for David. 

    [4] Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,

        a leader and commander for the peoples. 

    [5] Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,

        and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,

    because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,

        for he has glorified you.

    [6] “Seek the LORD while he may be found;

        call upon him while he is near; 

    [7] let the wicked forsake his way,

        and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

    let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,

        and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 

    [8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

        neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 

    [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

        so are my ways higher than your ways

        and my thoughts than your thoughts.

    [10] “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

        and do not return there but water the earth,

    making it bring forth and sprout,

        giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 

    [11] so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

        it shall not return to me empty,

    but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

        and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

    [12] “For you shall go out in joy

        and be led forth in peace;

    the mountains and the hills before you

        shall break forth into singing,

        and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. 

    [13] Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;

        instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;

    and it shall make a name for the LORD,

        an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”