Isaiah 62:4.-5,10-12: "No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called "My Delight is in Her" and you land "Married"; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a maiden, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you . . . . Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations. The LORD has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: 'Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.' ' They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD . . . "
I truly love the imagery in this passage of God (our Bridegroom) loving us and preparing His eternal dwelling place for our arrival; in fact, one can see the excitement and intentionality of God in making ready His home for us. One cannot help but well up with excitement at the thought of God "building up the highways, removing the stones, and raising the banners" for our arrival. God is longing for the day of our redemption, and He is preparing His Home with such incredible beauty that we as His bride will be overwhelmed with His purposefulness at making His dwelling place something spectacular for us. This illustrative declaration reminds the reader of the wedding processions in ancient Israel. The groom would take great pains to prepare his home as a place worthy of his wife; then he would go to the home of the bride to take her to be with him. As the two would make their way back to the husband's home, there would be a great wedding feast to celebrate the union.
This is the way the Lord will welcome us into Heaven. Even now, He is making Heaven ready for the great celebrative feast when He returns with those of us who have betrothed ourselves to Him as Lord. As we pass through the gates and walk the streets, we will be honored at the purposefulness and intentionality of Our Lord in making ready His home for us. His heavenly entourage will line the streets to celebrate the arrival of His bride, redeemed and purified through the Groom's own death and resurrection! And as we approach His glorious throne, He will rename us with the name "My (God's) Delight is in Her." This name will be given to us, for He will lavish us with His delight . . . and we will be in awe at the experience.
And as we stand speechless at the breathtaking beauty of our new Home, we will hear Him call it "Married." It will be a reminder that for all eternity, He is faithfully committed to us as our Husband and His home will always be our home. We will not be an afterthought of the Lord; nor will we be shuffled off to some remote corner in Heaven. Instead, we will be His celebration, His Delight, and His joy. What a Blessing! What a Privilege! What Amazing Love!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Going Through the Motions Does Not Impress God
Isaiah 58:4b: "You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."
One of the fascinations with the 58th chapter of Isaiah is God's rebuke of the people of Judah for having a "form of godliness but denying its power" (see 2 Timothy 3:5). These people were a sinful brood, who in their contumacious spirit mocked the Holiness of God by failing to set aside time to reflect upon and worship Him. They also showed disdain for the Lord by their violation of His commands to love their fellowman. In effect, these Israelites who were great at going through the motions of religion ("worship services, fasting, etc.) were exploiting the helpless and were fighting amongst themselves. Whereas they might have "seemed eager" to know God through their "spirituality," in reality, these people were self-serving hedonists who satisfied their own pleasures (58:3).
God responded to these Israelites by saying, "Don't bother with your presumed acts of righteousness. You might think that you're impressing Me by making some personal sacrifice (even fasting from food) on My behalf, but I see your true colors. You are a people who claim a religious heritage; but you are so far removed from my favor, that your wasting your time."
In the end, God called their spirituality contemptible. He would not hear their petitions for His Divine favor. Even if the people would decry that their "righteous acts" were not being recognized by the Lord, He would not acquiesce to their hypocrisy. What God wanted to see is the evidential fruit of true spiritual transformation. He wanted the people of Judah to surrender to the Lord, and follow His commands . . . by "loosening the chains of injustice . . . sharing food with the hungry . . . and providing shelter for the wanderer" (58:7). And God wanted the people to respect the Sabbath as a day of true reflection and worship of Him. In response to such genuineness of spirit by His people, the Lord in turn would answer their prayers and would guide them always, satisfying their needs in the midst of a dry, barren land.
This is a great word for us today. We find in our nation that the overwhelming majority of people profess an acknowledgement to God; and many participate in weekly religious services, thinking that such commitment obligates the Lord to shower His Divine favor upon them. Much like the people of Judah 2700 years ago, these people today conclude that God owes them for their taking time out of their busy schedules to attend a worship service or give money to a charitable organization. It's as if these people think that God is a peer who is contractually obligated to give back for their "acts of righteousness."
Just as God would not be mocked for such insolence, so too He will not condone such pseudo-spirituality. When people today call out to the Lord (without a heart inclined to Him), He will not hear them. He will not respond with the abundance of His blessing until these people truly turn from their wickedness both in heart and action.
Still, what is wonderful is that God is ready to extend His favor to those who would yield themselves to His Lordship. To this day, the Lord promises that if we will submit to Him, He in turn will give us His joy. We will "ride on the heights of the land (and will) feast on (His eternal) inheritance" (58:14).
One of the fascinations with the 58th chapter of Isaiah is God's rebuke of the people of Judah for having a "form of godliness but denying its power" (see 2 Timothy 3:5). These people were a sinful brood, who in their contumacious spirit mocked the Holiness of God by failing to set aside time to reflect upon and worship Him. They also showed disdain for the Lord by their violation of His commands to love their fellowman. In effect, these Israelites who were great at going through the motions of religion ("worship services, fasting, etc.) were exploiting the helpless and were fighting amongst themselves. Whereas they might have "seemed eager" to know God through their "spirituality," in reality, these people were self-serving hedonists who satisfied their own pleasures (58:3).
God responded to these Israelites by saying, "Don't bother with your presumed acts of righteousness. You might think that you're impressing Me by making some personal sacrifice (even fasting from food) on My behalf, but I see your true colors. You are a people who claim a religious heritage; but you are so far removed from my favor, that your wasting your time."
In the end, God called their spirituality contemptible. He would not hear their petitions for His Divine favor. Even if the people would decry that their "righteous acts" were not being recognized by the Lord, He would not acquiesce to their hypocrisy. What God wanted to see is the evidential fruit of true spiritual transformation. He wanted the people of Judah to surrender to the Lord, and follow His commands . . . by "loosening the chains of injustice . . . sharing food with the hungry . . . and providing shelter for the wanderer" (58:7). And God wanted the people to respect the Sabbath as a day of true reflection and worship of Him. In response to such genuineness of spirit by His people, the Lord in turn would answer their prayers and would guide them always, satisfying their needs in the midst of a dry, barren land.
This is a great word for us today. We find in our nation that the overwhelming majority of people profess an acknowledgement to God; and many participate in weekly religious services, thinking that such commitment obligates the Lord to shower His Divine favor upon them. Much like the people of Judah 2700 years ago, these people today conclude that God owes them for their taking time out of their busy schedules to attend a worship service or give money to a charitable organization. It's as if these people think that God is a peer who is contractually obligated to give back for their "acts of righteousness."
Just as God would not be mocked for such insolence, so too He will not condone such pseudo-spirituality. When people today call out to the Lord (without a heart inclined to Him), He will not hear them. He will not respond with the abundance of His blessing until these people truly turn from their wickedness both in heart and action.
Still, what is wonderful is that God is ready to extend His favor to those who would yield themselves to His Lordship. To this day, the Lord promises that if we will submit to Him, He in turn will give us His joy. We will "ride on the heights of the land (and will) feast on (His eternal) inheritance" (58:14).
Friday, March 27, 2009
Who Will Gain Entrance to God's Holy Mountain
Isaiah 56:6-7, 13b: "And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant-these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer . . . . the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain."
When our modern culture contemplates eternal salvation and the recipients of its blessings, it sadly believes the falsity that redemption is afforded to all of mankind, with no stipulations. Or our culture concludes that Heaven is to be given to those who have lived "good" lives (though there is quite a divergence as to what this "good" actually is).
Isaiah 56 gives us the prerequisites of God's grace to humanity, who are "foreigners" outside the presence of the Lord because of sinful rebellion against Him.
The "foreigner" must first BIND HIMSELF TO THE LORD: he must commit himself to the Lord through contrition, confession, and surrender. God in His Holiness is to be praised and obeyed. Whereas the merits of our grace are solely afforded through the Lord's death and resurrection, still, we must respond to the Lord's offering of reconciliation by "binding ourselves to Him."
The "foreigner" must SERVE HIM: When we have surrendered to God as our Master, we will necessarily respond with acts of obedience. These responses will not be a drudgery but a delight, for we will revel with astonishment at His love for us, and we will want to serve Him.
The "foreigner" must LOVE THE NAME OF THE LORD: He will savor the privilege of intimate association with the Sovereign King of Kings. And this desire for intimacy will drive us to want to spend time with Him and to follow Him obediently.
The "foreigner" will WORSHIP HIM: Worship is a natural product of a heart filled with the joy of salvation. When a person overflows with love and adoration for the Lord in His greatness and goodness to mankind, he cannot help but express his condition in praise and worship. Whereas the style of worship may be different, predicated upon the person and the circumstance, it is nonetheless real and genuine.
The "foreigner" will KEEP THE SABBATH WITHOUT DESECRATING IT: The primary purpose of the Sabbath from its inception has been to set time aside for rest and worship of the Lord of Hosts. The true believer will not permit obstacles to distract him from his exclusive contemplation and worship of the Lord. He will remove any obstacles that would impede his focused reflection and praise for the One True God!
The "foreigner" will HOLD FAST TO GOD'S COVENANT: As we have already said, the true believer will follow the precepts and statutes of the Lord as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. He cannot help but live his life in obedience, for he has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit; and in his responsive love and adoration of His Savior, the redeemed will commit his life to perpetual obedience to His Lord.
All of the above criteria are the evidential fruit of true transformation. This is a person who has made God his refuge; and for such a man, God has promised the blessedness of inheriting His Holy Mountain (i.e. Heaven).
When our modern culture contemplates eternal salvation and the recipients of its blessings, it sadly believes the falsity that redemption is afforded to all of mankind, with no stipulations. Or our culture concludes that Heaven is to be given to those who have lived "good" lives (though there is quite a divergence as to what this "good" actually is).
Isaiah 56 gives us the prerequisites of God's grace to humanity, who are "foreigners" outside the presence of the Lord because of sinful rebellion against Him.
The "foreigner" must first BIND HIMSELF TO THE LORD: he must commit himself to the Lord through contrition, confession, and surrender. God in His Holiness is to be praised and obeyed. Whereas the merits of our grace are solely afforded through the Lord's death and resurrection, still, we must respond to the Lord's offering of reconciliation by "binding ourselves to Him."
The "foreigner" must SERVE HIM: When we have surrendered to God as our Master, we will necessarily respond with acts of obedience. These responses will not be a drudgery but a delight, for we will revel with astonishment at His love for us, and we will want to serve Him.
The "foreigner" must LOVE THE NAME OF THE LORD: He will savor the privilege of intimate association with the Sovereign King of Kings. And this desire for intimacy will drive us to want to spend time with Him and to follow Him obediently.
The "foreigner" will WORSHIP HIM: Worship is a natural product of a heart filled with the joy of salvation. When a person overflows with love and adoration for the Lord in His greatness and goodness to mankind, he cannot help but express his condition in praise and worship. Whereas the style of worship may be different, predicated upon the person and the circumstance, it is nonetheless real and genuine.
The "foreigner" will KEEP THE SABBATH WITHOUT DESECRATING IT: The primary purpose of the Sabbath from its inception has been to set time aside for rest and worship of the Lord of Hosts. The true believer will not permit obstacles to distract him from his exclusive contemplation and worship of the Lord. He will remove any obstacles that would impede his focused reflection and praise for the One True God!
The "foreigner" will HOLD FAST TO GOD'S COVENANT: As we have already said, the true believer will follow the precepts and statutes of the Lord as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures. He cannot help but live his life in obedience, for he has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit; and in his responsive love and adoration of His Savior, the redeemed will commit his life to perpetual obedience to His Lord.
All of the above criteria are the evidential fruit of true transformation. This is a person who has made God his refuge; and for such a man, God has promised the blessedness of inheriting His Holy Mountain (i.e. Heaven).
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
God is Creator and the Sovereign Lord
Genesis 1:1-3: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
More than any other passage of Scripture, the first three verses of the very first book of the Bible give us the context of who God is, namely that He is the Sovereign Creator of all things and therefore rightfully worthy of our worship (see the 24 elders in Revelation 4:11 worshipping the Lord, for He is "worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for (He) created all things, and by (His) will they were created and have their being").
We know that God created all things for His glory; and even to this day, He continues to hold all things together so that we can experience the blessedness of worshipping Him as our One True Lord (see Colossians 1:15-17). Were God to choose to withdraw His Spirit from sustaining us we would immediately pulverize back to the dust from which we came (see Job 33:4; 34:14-15). Just by His mere Word, Christ even now is sustaining us in our existence.
Now, we need to understand that God is not in need of our praise and worship; He is not an insecure deity who needs words of affirmation to make Himself feel better. But our Loving Lord inhabits our praise, which is truly amazing in and of itself . . . . that the Supreme, Eternal, Sovereign Creator would condescend to us in order that we might experience the joy of communion with Him. This is love at its finest.
What truly is tragic, is that humanity has chosen to deny the rightful worship of God in favor of their own lordship. This is cosmic treason at its worst! As Job 15:20,25-26 tells us, "the wicked man . . . . shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield." And the way in which humanity attempts to justify such rebellion against the Lord is to deny His existence and His creative involvement.
This debased ideology is most evident in the Humanist Manifestos I & II which state, “Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created . . . we begin with humans not God . . . we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species . . . no deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”
We must understand that a right understanding of God as Creator is foundational for a proper appreciation of God as Lord. Langdon Gilkey in his book, Maker of Heaven and Earth has said it well:
The idea that God is the creator of all things is the indispensable foundation on which the other beliefs of the Christian faith are based . . . The good news . . . is not just that we are judged and loved. It is rather that He who is maker of heaven and earth . . . judges and loves us. In this way the doctrine of creation gives meaning and significance to all else in the Christian faith.
Henry Morris in his work, The Genesis Record, echoes these sentiments:
It has often been pointed out that if a person really believes Genesis 1:1, he will not find it difficult to believe anything else recorded in the Bible. That is, if God really created all things, then He controls all things and can do all things.
What is noteworthy is the order in which God chose to create the universe. He began by creating a formless and empty universe without light and life, only to then paint His glorious light onto an otherwise formless, chaotic canvas of creation. I believe that God was intentional in interjecting light first, in order that He as the One True Light could teach us that He alone is the path of life and truth. It is He who in ineffable glory and light is beyond our ability to see or fathom; still He comes in golden splendor and awesome majesty to give us His light of salvation, provided that we would respond to the offering with surrender (Job 37:21-24; John 8:12).
May we never forsake our God as Creator. Instead, let us exalt Him with our praises, for He truly is "Highly Exalted" (Exod 15:1 [literally, "Risen Risenly]).
More than any other passage of Scripture, the first three verses of the very first book of the Bible give us the context of who God is, namely that He is the Sovereign Creator of all things and therefore rightfully worthy of our worship (see the 24 elders in Revelation 4:11 worshipping the Lord, for He is "worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for (He) created all things, and by (His) will they were created and have their being").
We know that God created all things for His glory; and even to this day, He continues to hold all things together so that we can experience the blessedness of worshipping Him as our One True Lord (see Colossians 1:15-17). Were God to choose to withdraw His Spirit from sustaining us we would immediately pulverize back to the dust from which we came (see Job 33:4; 34:14-15). Just by His mere Word, Christ even now is sustaining us in our existence.
Now, we need to understand that God is not in need of our praise and worship; He is not an insecure deity who needs words of affirmation to make Himself feel better. But our Loving Lord inhabits our praise, which is truly amazing in and of itself . . . . that the Supreme, Eternal, Sovereign Creator would condescend to us in order that we might experience the joy of communion with Him. This is love at its finest.
What truly is tragic, is that humanity has chosen to deny the rightful worship of God in favor of their own lordship. This is cosmic treason at its worst! As Job 15:20,25-26 tells us, "the wicked man . . . . shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the Almighty, defiantly charging against him with a thick, strong shield." And the way in which humanity attempts to justify such rebellion against the Lord is to deny His existence and His creative involvement.
This debased ideology is most evident in the Humanist Manifestos I & II which state, “Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created . . . we begin with humans not God . . . we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species . . . no deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”
We must understand that a right understanding of God as Creator is foundational for a proper appreciation of God as Lord. Langdon Gilkey in his book, Maker of Heaven and Earth has said it well:
The idea that God is the creator of all things is the indispensable foundation on which the other beliefs of the Christian faith are based . . . The good news . . . is not just that we are judged and loved. It is rather that He who is maker of heaven and earth . . . judges and loves us. In this way the doctrine of creation gives meaning and significance to all else in the Christian faith.
Henry Morris in his work, The Genesis Record, echoes these sentiments:
It has often been pointed out that if a person really believes Genesis 1:1, he will not find it difficult to believe anything else recorded in the Bible. That is, if God really created all things, then He controls all things and can do all things.
What is noteworthy is the order in which God chose to create the universe. He began by creating a formless and empty universe without light and life, only to then paint His glorious light onto an otherwise formless, chaotic canvas of creation. I believe that God was intentional in interjecting light first, in order that He as the One True Light could teach us that He alone is the path of life and truth. It is He who in ineffable glory and light is beyond our ability to see or fathom; still He comes in golden splendor and awesome majesty to give us His light of salvation, provided that we would respond to the offering with surrender (Job 37:21-24; John 8:12).
May we never forsake our God as Creator. Instead, let us exalt Him with our praises, for He truly is "Highly Exalted" (Exod 15:1 [literally, "Risen Risenly]).
Thursday, March 19, 2009
God's Ultimate Invitation
Isaiah 55:1-3: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David."
If ever there has been a chapter that could be called God's blessed, eternal invitation of salvation to humanity, it would be this one. In just the first verse, the word, "come" is presented by the Lord four times; through the sacrifice of Himself (mentioned in Isaiah 53), God is offering forgiveness to all of us for our rebellion against Him, as He in mercy continues to withhold His righteous wrath (Isaiah 48:9). Jonathan Edwards, the great 18th-century pastor of the Great Awakening said it well in his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: "The wrath of God is like great waters that are damned for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher . . . . The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood."
Whereas the full measure of God's dreadful wrath is deserving of us all, what one finds from Isaiah 55 are the immeasurable benefits afforded to those who respond to God's invitation of grace. Even though a person may not be one of privilege in this life, through his surrender to the Lord, he is given the right to buy "wine and milk" without money and cost. "Wine" and "milk" were figurative of a land abundant with animal and plant life. It was used of the promised land . . . a veritable paradise in an otherwise dry, barren, and desolate region. Therefore, what we are seeing is the offering of God's eternal provision (i.e. New Heaven and New Earth) for those who would desire it and would respond to His grace which affords it.
God interjects a calling for the people to listen to Him in order that they might "eat what is good . . . (their) souls delighting in the richest of fare." We know that God has prepared a "feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines" on His Holy Mountain (Isaiah 25:6). It will be a time so festive and so spectacular that we today in our finite minds cannot comprehend the fullness of the experience. And again, it is "because of the LORD . . . the Holy one of Israel, (that has) endowed (the believer) with splendor" (Isaiah 55:5b).
To receive such a precious offering, we must "forsake our (wicked) ways, turn from our (evil) thoughts, and turn to the LORD" (55:7). God has promised to lavish us with His mercy, and afford to us the blessedness of His eternal kingdom . . . a place of joy and peace . . . where the mountains and the trees break forth in worship to the One True Almighty God! This is amazing love at its finest. Still, the benefits of such Divine mercy will only be afforded to those who would respond to it. Let us yield ourselves to the Lord and receive His Limitless Grace!
If ever there has been a chapter that could be called God's blessed, eternal invitation of salvation to humanity, it would be this one. In just the first verse, the word, "come" is presented by the Lord four times; through the sacrifice of Himself (mentioned in Isaiah 53), God is offering forgiveness to all of us for our rebellion against Him, as He in mercy continues to withhold His righteous wrath (Isaiah 48:9). Jonathan Edwards, the great 18th-century pastor of the Great Awakening said it well in his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: "The wrath of God is like great waters that are damned for the present; they increase more and more, and rise higher and higher . . . . The bow of God's wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood."
Whereas the full measure of God's dreadful wrath is deserving of us all, what one finds from Isaiah 55 are the immeasurable benefits afforded to those who respond to God's invitation of grace. Even though a person may not be one of privilege in this life, through his surrender to the Lord, he is given the right to buy "wine and milk" without money and cost. "Wine" and "milk" were figurative of a land abundant with animal and plant life. It was used of the promised land . . . a veritable paradise in an otherwise dry, barren, and desolate region. Therefore, what we are seeing is the offering of God's eternal provision (i.e. New Heaven and New Earth) for those who would desire it and would respond to His grace which affords it.
God interjects a calling for the people to listen to Him in order that they might "eat what is good . . . (their) souls delighting in the richest of fare." We know that God has prepared a "feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine-the best of meats and the finest of wines" on His Holy Mountain (Isaiah 25:6). It will be a time so festive and so spectacular that we today in our finite minds cannot comprehend the fullness of the experience. And again, it is "because of the LORD . . . the Holy one of Israel, (that has) endowed (the believer) with splendor" (Isaiah 55:5b).
To receive such a precious offering, we must "forsake our (wicked) ways, turn from our (evil) thoughts, and turn to the LORD" (55:7). God has promised to lavish us with His mercy, and afford to us the blessedness of His eternal kingdom . . . a place of joy and peace . . . where the mountains and the trees break forth in worship to the One True Almighty God! This is amazing love at its finest. Still, the benefits of such Divine mercy will only be afforded to those who would respond to it. Let us yield ourselves to the Lord and receive His Limitless Grace!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Power of God's Word
Isaiah 55:10-11: "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Were we ever to think that we have no blessing of which to celebrate in life, we only need to reflect upon the passage above to see the immeasurable benefits afforded to us through God's Word. Most assuredly, The Word is the gift of God to draw us to His saving grace by faith (Romans 10:14-15). His Word is flawless . . . a shield of protection to those who would hear it and "take refuge in (the Lord)" (Proverbs 30:5). And as His Word "tabernacled" among us through the Living Son of God, Jesus Christ . . . God fulfilled His promise of redemption, made possible by the death and resurrection of The Word (John 1:14).
Today, God's Word profits us by training us in righteousness so that we might be "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the living and active power of God (sharper than any two-edged sword), convicting us of sin and illuminating the path of righteousness for us to follow (Hebrews 4:12).
In the end, God's Word will fulfill its purpose in glorifying the One True Lord Almighty. First, the Word will present before the throne of God the righteous, who have responded to The Word's invitation of truth and life for their salvation. These will be the ones whom the Holy Spirit will have drawn into intimate, eternal fellowship using the power of The Word; this remnant will respond to the Word through confession of sin and through surrender to Christ as their Lord and Savior.
God will also be glorified when His Word bursts forth from His mouth in righteous judgment against the reprobate. Since they have refused to surrender to the Word of salvation through Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice, they now will be hurled into the Lake of Fire through the power of the Word. Specifically, from Jesus' mouth will come the "sharp sword" of His truth that will "strike down the nations" in their wickedness (Revelation 19:15).
Since we see the amazing power of God's Word and the preciousness of its presentation to us, let us not forsake its offering to us. Let us savor its choice morsels of truth by feasting upon it regularly. Let us open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit as we renew our minds through meditation upon The Word. We will see that in doing so, our hearts will be softened to receiving the Word in humility and surrender (Romans 12:2). Let us revere The Word as the "perfect, trustworthy, pure, right, and radiant" revelation of God! Let us value it as our greatest treasure; for most assuredly, The Word is "more precious than the purest of gold, sweeter than honey from the comb . . . in the keeping of it there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11).
Were we ever to think that we have no blessing of which to celebrate in life, we only need to reflect upon the passage above to see the immeasurable benefits afforded to us through God's Word. Most assuredly, The Word is the gift of God to draw us to His saving grace by faith (Romans 10:14-15). His Word is flawless . . . a shield of protection to those who would hear it and "take refuge in (the Lord)" (Proverbs 30:5). And as His Word "tabernacled" among us through the Living Son of God, Jesus Christ . . . God fulfilled His promise of redemption, made possible by the death and resurrection of The Word (John 1:14).
Today, God's Word profits us by training us in righteousness so that we might be "thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16). It is the living and active power of God (sharper than any two-edged sword), convicting us of sin and illuminating the path of righteousness for us to follow (Hebrews 4:12).
In the end, God's Word will fulfill its purpose in glorifying the One True Lord Almighty. First, the Word will present before the throne of God the righteous, who have responded to The Word's invitation of truth and life for their salvation. These will be the ones whom the Holy Spirit will have drawn into intimate, eternal fellowship using the power of The Word; this remnant will respond to the Word through confession of sin and through surrender to Christ as their Lord and Savior.
God will also be glorified when His Word bursts forth from His mouth in righteous judgment against the reprobate. Since they have refused to surrender to the Word of salvation through Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice, they now will be hurled into the Lake of Fire through the power of the Word. Specifically, from Jesus' mouth will come the "sharp sword" of His truth that will "strike down the nations" in their wickedness (Revelation 19:15).
Since we see the amazing power of God's Word and the preciousness of its presentation to us, let us not forsake its offering to us. Let us savor its choice morsels of truth by feasting upon it regularly. Let us open our hearts to the working of the Holy Spirit as we renew our minds through meditation upon The Word. We will see that in doing so, our hearts will be softened to receiving the Word in humility and surrender (Romans 12:2). Let us revere The Word as the "perfect, trustworthy, pure, right, and radiant" revelation of God! Let us value it as our greatest treasure; for most assuredly, The Word is "more precious than the purest of gold, sweeter than honey from the comb . . . in the keeping of it there is great reward" (Psalm 19:11).
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Suffering Savior
Isaiah 53:2b-6, 10: "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . . it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer."
Wedged between the chapter of hope of deliverance of the righteous remnant from bondage (Isaiah 52:11-12) and the chapter of blessed realization of their entrance into the promised land of God (Isaiah 54:3) is the catalytic chapter for the salvation of the redeemed . . . namely the sacrifice of the Messiah for the sins of the world.
What is telling is the way in which the Messiah was presented to the world to be made the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins (I John 2:2). He did not come as a glorious King in magnificent splendor to be worshipped by His creation; rather, He came in such a way that He would be despised and rejected by men. To be sure, Jesus did not present Himself with the attractiveness that so often sways people in ascribing a person's worth. His physical presentation was not impressive nor was his social positioning noteworthy to give Him advantages in life. I believe that God revealed Himself this way, so that He could relate to the despised and rejected in society. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin." Had Jesus entered the world as an attractive Savior, He would never have experienced the pain of rejection that so many unattractive people continuously endure in their superficially-driven world.
What is telling is that Jesus' redemptive work through rejection was seen by his contemporaries as evidence of God's judgment. Whereas Jesus was subjected to ridicule and ultimately execution by the will of God (see John 10:18), who was fulfilling His plan of reconciliation, the people thought that Jesus must have done something utterly detestable for such intensity of judgment to befall Him. Still, the Savior pressed on to redeem those who would yield to Him as Lord. It truly is the amazing love of God that He would desire to "crush" the Savior in order that we might have peace and healing.
Let us never forget Our Wonderful Lord and Savior who through the Only Sufficient Sacrifice of Himself coupled with His Magnificent Display of Power over Death has afforded to us the blessedness of imputed righteousness. What we must do is respond to this offering through contrition, confession, and submission.
Wedged between the chapter of hope of deliverance of the righteous remnant from bondage (Isaiah 52:11-12) and the chapter of blessed realization of their entrance into the promised land of God (Isaiah 54:3) is the catalytic chapter for the salvation of the redeemed . . . namely the sacrifice of the Messiah for the sins of the world.
What is telling is the way in which the Messiah was presented to the world to be made the perfect atoning sacrifice for our sins (I John 2:2). He did not come as a glorious King in magnificent splendor to be worshipped by His creation; rather, He came in such a way that He would be despised and rejected by men. To be sure, Jesus did not present Himself with the attractiveness that so often sways people in ascribing a person's worth. His physical presentation was not impressive nor was his social positioning noteworthy to give Him advantages in life. I believe that God revealed Himself this way, so that He could relate to the despised and rejected in society. Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin." Had Jesus entered the world as an attractive Savior, He would never have experienced the pain of rejection that so many unattractive people continuously endure in their superficially-driven world.
What is telling is that Jesus' redemptive work through rejection was seen by his contemporaries as evidence of God's judgment. Whereas Jesus was subjected to ridicule and ultimately execution by the will of God (see John 10:18), who was fulfilling His plan of reconciliation, the people thought that Jesus must have done something utterly detestable for such intensity of judgment to befall Him. Still, the Savior pressed on to redeem those who would yield to Him as Lord. It truly is the amazing love of God that He would desire to "crush" the Savior in order that we might have peace and healing.
Let us never forget Our Wonderful Lord and Savior who through the Only Sufficient Sacrifice of Himself coupled with His Magnificent Display of Power over Death has afforded to us the blessedness of imputed righteousness. What we must do is respond to this offering through contrition, confession, and submission.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Being a Non-Conformist
Mark 10:13-14: "Later they (the chief priests, teachers of the law, and the elders) sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.'"
As Jesus quickly approached the end of His earthly ministry, He knew that He was completing the work to which the Father had called Him [namely His death and resurrection] (John 17:4). Those in political and religious authority in Jerusalem had kindled a vehement hatred for Jesus, seeking ways to arrest Him (Mark 12:12) and ultimately kill Him (Mark 11:18). Their motivation to destroy Jesus was fueled by their fear that Jesus' questioning of their sinful ways was eroding the esteem and the power that they enjoyed among the community.
Still, Jesus was not willing to go along with the community that praised these "leaders" who saturated their souls with pride; instead, He would warn the people to watch out for these men, because in their arrogance, they "liked to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." When Jesus announced that these hypocrites and vipers would be punished severely for their sins, He in effect was throwing down the gauntlet that challenged the customs of a nation that exalted men consumed with personal adulation and domination (see Matthew 23). These leaders would not tolerate such perceived insurrection.
In response to Jesus' questioning of their authority and respect, these elders, noblemen, and priests sent a delegation of Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus in an attempt to get Him to say something against the Roman government and thus be subject to prosecution by the Roman Procurator, Pilate. In their platitudinous exchange with Jesus, these delegates ascribed to Jesus the position of "teacher of integrity." They also recognized that Jesus was a man who was not swayed by the "impressive status" of men; instead, He "taught the way of God in accordance with the truth."
The irony in this attestation by these leaders was the truth in the declaration. The delegation and their elders knew the truth. They knew that Jesus was getting to the heart of their sin by His unwillingness to play along with the societal rules that exalted their status. These leaders knew that they had acquired their positions of power and prestige through unholy means; the problem was that these leaders loved their status. They loved it so much that they would destroy anyone who would attempt to challenge it.
What is noteworthy is the fact that the Herodians and the Pharisees would form an alliance in order to destroy Jesus. The worldly Herodians, who enjoyed the luxuries of their affluence would have been despised by the ascetic Pharisees, who thrived on the recognition that they received from their strict religious practices. Seldom, if ever, would these two groups have gotten together unless it was to attack one another. But now, they shared a common enemy in Jesus . . . the One who would not play along with the cultural mores of the time. These two groups shared a common perception that Jesus was a threat to their power and prestige; and for this reason, they agreed that He must be destroyed.
As we look at this episode, we must see in Jesus a non-conformist, who would not succumb to the normative patterns of a people, if it countered the way and truth of God. Jesus knew that the swollen pride and arrogance of these men was a demonstration of defiance against the glory of the One True Lord. He knew that these religious leaders would desire their own lordship above all others; and for this reason, they needed to be labelled as such.
As we continue to be light reflectors of the Lord (Proverbs 4:18), we must remember that we must walk in righteousness and obedience to God, even though that path might not be popular. Just because a societal pattern is overwhelmingly accepted, it does not necessarily mean that it is right. Let us be driven by principle and not the need for acceptance. Even though we may have to endure persecution, let us continue to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
As Jesus quickly approached the end of His earthly ministry, He knew that He was completing the work to which the Father had called Him [namely His death and resurrection] (John 17:4). Those in political and religious authority in Jerusalem had kindled a vehement hatred for Jesus, seeking ways to arrest Him (Mark 12:12) and ultimately kill Him (Mark 11:18). Their motivation to destroy Jesus was fueled by their fear that Jesus' questioning of their sinful ways was eroding the esteem and the power that they enjoyed among the community.
Still, Jesus was not willing to go along with the community that praised these "leaders" who saturated their souls with pride; instead, He would warn the people to watch out for these men, because in their arrogance, they "liked to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets." When Jesus announced that these hypocrites and vipers would be punished severely for their sins, He in effect was throwing down the gauntlet that challenged the customs of a nation that exalted men consumed with personal adulation and domination (see Matthew 23). These leaders would not tolerate such perceived insurrection.
In response to Jesus' questioning of their authority and respect, these elders, noblemen, and priests sent a delegation of Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus in an attempt to get Him to say something against the Roman government and thus be subject to prosecution by the Roman Procurator, Pilate. In their platitudinous exchange with Jesus, these delegates ascribed to Jesus the position of "teacher of integrity." They also recognized that Jesus was a man who was not swayed by the "impressive status" of men; instead, He "taught the way of God in accordance with the truth."
The irony in this attestation by these leaders was the truth in the declaration. The delegation and their elders knew the truth. They knew that Jesus was getting to the heart of their sin by His unwillingness to play along with the societal rules that exalted their status. These leaders knew that they had acquired their positions of power and prestige through unholy means; the problem was that these leaders loved their status. They loved it so much that they would destroy anyone who would attempt to challenge it.
What is noteworthy is the fact that the Herodians and the Pharisees would form an alliance in order to destroy Jesus. The worldly Herodians, who enjoyed the luxuries of their affluence would have been despised by the ascetic Pharisees, who thrived on the recognition that they received from their strict religious practices. Seldom, if ever, would these two groups have gotten together unless it was to attack one another. But now, they shared a common enemy in Jesus . . . the One who would not play along with the cultural mores of the time. These two groups shared a common perception that Jesus was a threat to their power and prestige; and for this reason, they agreed that He must be destroyed.
As we look at this episode, we must see in Jesus a non-conformist, who would not succumb to the normative patterns of a people, if it countered the way and truth of God. Jesus knew that the swollen pride and arrogance of these men was a demonstration of defiance against the glory of the One True Lord. He knew that these religious leaders would desire their own lordship above all others; and for this reason, they needed to be labelled as such.
As we continue to be light reflectors of the Lord (Proverbs 4:18), we must remember that we must walk in righteousness and obedience to God, even though that path might not be popular. Just because a societal pattern is overwhelmingly accepted, it does not necessarily mean that it is right. Let us be driven by principle and not the need for acceptance. Even though we may have to endure persecution, let us continue to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
Friday, March 6, 2009
Whom Do You Fear?
Isaiah 51:6-8: "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations."
The prophet Isaiah lived during a time when it was not popular to live in obedience to the One True Lord. The people of Judah had become so grossly debased in their immorality and wickedness, that they would subject to torturous persecution anyone who proclaimed the nation's need for repentance. This seems to be what Isaiah himself experienced during his ministry; for we find in his reflections in chapter 50 that the prophet was ruthlessly beaten, mocked, and spit upon. In the midst of his torture (he even records that his beard was plucked out of his face), Isaiah would not yield to the vehement attacks of these wicked men. Instead, this prophet of God was resolved to press on in faithfulness, knowing that the Sovereign Lord was his help and deliverer. Isaiah was able to keep proper perspective in the midst of his horrific experience, in that he knew that God would ultimately bring victory over his oppressors.
Isaiah then shared this hope with others who held the law of God in their hearts and lived in righteousness. Specifically, the prophet exclaimed the Word of the Lord: "Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations" (Isa. 51:7-8).
We no less today see the oppressive behaviors of those who "shake their fists at God, vaunting themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against Him with a thick, strong shield" (Job 15:25). These reprobate desire their own lordship over the rightful reign of the One True Lord, and attempt to thwart anyone who would live their lives in surrender to God as their Master. Whereas we may find that the temporal path of faithfulness to God is filled with tribulation, we must keep our minds fixed upon the eternal hope of God's deliverance (see Isa. 51: 14). He will vindicate those who have suffered for His glory (Isa. 50:8). The Sovereign Creator of the universe will bring judgment upon those who would persecute the righteous; in fact, the Lord uses stinging verbiage to describe the fate of those who perpetrate rebellion: "the worm will devour them like wool." Their eternal damnation has been prepared . . . Hell even now is smoldering in anticipation of their arrival.
Let us not be discouraged in our resolve to follow the Lord. Even when we are subjected to the caustic responses of the children of the devil (see I John 3:9-10), let us like Isaiah, "set our (determined) faces like flint, knowing that we will not be put to shame" (Isa. 50:7b).
The prophet Isaiah lived during a time when it was not popular to live in obedience to the One True Lord. The people of Judah had become so grossly debased in their immorality and wickedness, that they would subject to torturous persecution anyone who proclaimed the nation's need for repentance. This seems to be what Isaiah himself experienced during his ministry; for we find in his reflections in chapter 50 that the prophet was ruthlessly beaten, mocked, and spit upon. In the midst of his torture (he even records that his beard was plucked out of his face), Isaiah would not yield to the vehement attacks of these wicked men. Instead, this prophet of God was resolved to press on in faithfulness, knowing that the Sovereign Lord was his help and deliverer. Isaiah was able to keep proper perspective in the midst of his horrific experience, in that he knew that God would ultimately bring victory over his oppressors.
Isaiah then shared this hope with others who held the law of God in their hearts and lived in righteousness. Specifically, the prophet exclaimed the Word of the Lord: "Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations" (Isa. 51:7-8).
We no less today see the oppressive behaviors of those who "shake their fists at God, vaunting themselves against the Almighty, defiantly charging against Him with a thick, strong shield" (Job 15:25). These reprobate desire their own lordship over the rightful reign of the One True Lord, and attempt to thwart anyone who would live their lives in surrender to God as their Master. Whereas we may find that the temporal path of faithfulness to God is filled with tribulation, we must keep our minds fixed upon the eternal hope of God's deliverance (see Isa. 51: 14). He will vindicate those who have suffered for His glory (Isa. 50:8). The Sovereign Creator of the universe will bring judgment upon those who would persecute the righteous; in fact, the Lord uses stinging verbiage to describe the fate of those who perpetrate rebellion: "the worm will devour them like wool." Their eternal damnation has been prepared . . . Hell even now is smoldering in anticipation of their arrival.
Let us not be discouraged in our resolve to follow the Lord. Even when we are subjected to the caustic responses of the children of the devil (see I John 3:9-10), let us like Isaiah, "set our (determined) faces like flint, knowing that we will not be put to shame" (Isa. 50:7b).
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Where's Your Strength?
Isaiah 49:1b,3-4: "Before I was born the LORD called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name . . . . He said to me, 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.' But I said, 'I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God.'"
If one surveyed the lives of the prophets of Judah before and during the Babylonian invasions (605-586 BC), one would see a trend of overwhelming ministry difficulty in trying to teach repentance to an obstinate people who refused to listen to the calls of obedience to the Lord.
Isaiah certainly was no different. He knew that he had been called by God (even before his birth) to herald the urgency of his people surrendering to the Sovereign LORD; still, the ministry task was not an easy one. The people of Judah had followed a path of rebellion like their northern brothers (who had already reached their demise at the hand of the Assyrians). The Judeans seemed not to heed the warning of judgment that had befallen the norther tribes; thus, God sent Isaiah to warn His people that the same fate would find them if they did not repent.
Isaiah quickly noticed that his ministry was not effectual. He felt that his calling to preach repentance was an utter failure because no one responded to his message. Isaiah easily could have given in to the struggles associated with ministry; but he knew that God was honored by his obedience, even though his efforts were not generating any responses. Isaiah was strengthened by the assurances of the Lord that the prophet was right where he was supposed to be.
God told Isaiah that he was being too myopic in his understanding of his calling to Judah (Jacob). God was working out His redemptive plan that would extend beyond the Jewish community in which Isaiah served. God instructed Isaiah that he would be a light to the Gentiles so that salvation would come to the "ends of the earth" (49:6). And of course to this very day, both Jews and Gentiles feast upon the Words of the Lord proclaimed through Isaiah, as revelatory of the Messiah, Jesus Christ . . . the "Redeemer and Holy One of Israel who was despised and abhorred by the nation" (49:7). Isaiah may have only seen his ministry as being to a specific people at a specific time; however, God saw that the obedience of Isaiah in dictating the coming advent of the Lord Jesus Christ would be a source of strength and hope for generations to come. To be sure, God was working out His redemptive plan through the prophet, even though Isaiah could not see how that plan was being worked out. Still, Isaiah was resolved to follow God's dictates, for He was strengthened in knowing that God was glorified through his obedience.
In the historical book, the Ascension of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah is recorded to have died under the reign of the wicked King Manasseh (698-642 BC). This is very likely, given that 2 Kings 21:16 records that "Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end." Josephus also records in his Antiquities 10:37 that Manasseh slew all the righteous men of Judah so that Jerusalem was "overflowing with blood." I wonder sometimes as Isaiah was being led to his execution what he was thinking. Was he reflecting upon his uneventful ministry? Was we wondering about the lack of response to his message of repentance . . . and how that message brought him to his imminent death? These are quite possible; however, I also believe that his resolve to serve the Lord (being strengthened by the assurances that the Lord was honored by his obedience) carried him to the very end.
We would do well to remember the life of Isaiah as a source of encouragement when we find ourselves capitulating to the "stressors" that come with our surrender to the Lord. God never promised that the path of obedience would be easy. But He has assured us that our faithfulness to Him, despite the circumstances and outcome, would bring honor to Him as the Sovereign King of Kings. He will not neglect such faithful obedience; in fact, even now, He may be using our "focused determination" to accomplish even greater things for His kingdom than we could ever imagine. Let us press on for the Lord, knowing not only that He is our strength, but He is the reason for all of our efforts. Let us keep our eyes on Him and not our circumstances or outcomes. And let us hope in the joyous, eternal fellowship that we will have with Him, when He will open our eyes to a fuller appreciation of what our diligent endeavors have accomplished . . . through His mighty power!
If one surveyed the lives of the prophets of Judah before and during the Babylonian invasions (605-586 BC), one would see a trend of overwhelming ministry difficulty in trying to teach repentance to an obstinate people who refused to listen to the calls of obedience to the Lord.
Isaiah certainly was no different. He knew that he had been called by God (even before his birth) to herald the urgency of his people surrendering to the Sovereign LORD; still, the ministry task was not an easy one. The people of Judah had followed a path of rebellion like their northern brothers (who had already reached their demise at the hand of the Assyrians). The Judeans seemed not to heed the warning of judgment that had befallen the norther tribes; thus, God sent Isaiah to warn His people that the same fate would find them if they did not repent.
Isaiah quickly noticed that his ministry was not effectual. He felt that his calling to preach repentance was an utter failure because no one responded to his message. Isaiah easily could have given in to the struggles associated with ministry; but he knew that God was honored by his obedience, even though his efforts were not generating any responses. Isaiah was strengthened by the assurances of the Lord that the prophet was right where he was supposed to be.
God told Isaiah that he was being too myopic in his understanding of his calling to Judah (Jacob). God was working out His redemptive plan that would extend beyond the Jewish community in which Isaiah served. God instructed Isaiah that he would be a light to the Gentiles so that salvation would come to the "ends of the earth" (49:6). And of course to this very day, both Jews and Gentiles feast upon the Words of the Lord proclaimed through Isaiah, as revelatory of the Messiah, Jesus Christ . . . the "Redeemer and Holy One of Israel who was despised and abhorred by the nation" (49:7). Isaiah may have only seen his ministry as being to a specific people at a specific time; however, God saw that the obedience of Isaiah in dictating the coming advent of the Lord Jesus Christ would be a source of strength and hope for generations to come. To be sure, God was working out His redemptive plan through the prophet, even though Isaiah could not see how that plan was being worked out. Still, Isaiah was resolved to follow God's dictates, for He was strengthened in knowing that God was glorified through his obedience.
In the historical book, the Ascension of Isaiah, the prophet Isaiah is recorded to have died under the reign of the wicked King Manasseh (698-642 BC). This is very likely, given that 2 Kings 21:16 records that "Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end." Josephus also records in his Antiquities 10:37 that Manasseh slew all the righteous men of Judah so that Jerusalem was "overflowing with blood." I wonder sometimes as Isaiah was being led to his execution what he was thinking. Was he reflecting upon his uneventful ministry? Was we wondering about the lack of response to his message of repentance . . . and how that message brought him to his imminent death? These are quite possible; however, I also believe that his resolve to serve the Lord (being strengthened by the assurances that the Lord was honored by his obedience) carried him to the very end.
We would do well to remember the life of Isaiah as a source of encouragement when we find ourselves capitulating to the "stressors" that come with our surrender to the Lord. God never promised that the path of obedience would be easy. But He has assured us that our faithfulness to Him, despite the circumstances and outcome, would bring honor to Him as the Sovereign King of Kings. He will not neglect such faithful obedience; in fact, even now, He may be using our "focused determination" to accomplish even greater things for His kingdom than we could ever imagine. Let us press on for the Lord, knowing not only that He is our strength, but He is the reason for all of our efforts. Let us keep our eyes on Him and not our circumstances or outcomes. And let us hope in the joyous, eternal fellowship that we will have with Him, when He will open our eyes to a fuller appreciation of what our diligent endeavors have accomplished . . . through His mighty power!
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