I heard a youth pastor last night talk about humility. He made the comment that if there is one sin that God despises and detests more than any sin, it is pride. He hated it in the beginning and ha hates it now. He hates it among his people and he hates it among the rest of the world. He abhors it more than any other singular sin.
As he made this comment, I immediately thought of Isaiah 13. Why was such horrendous judgment from God poured out on Babylon? Because they were prideful. Look through scripture and what it talks about Babylon and you will quickly find this to be the case. (Daniel is another good book to learn about this empire and city.)
The first two verse of chapter 14, further explain why God's judgment was so harsh. He saw his people being mistreated and had compassion on them. "For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel..." (v.1, ESV). I find this mind boggling that God can be so angry (as we see in chapter 13), and at the same time full of compassion and love (chapter 14). As it says in James 4:6, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (ESV).
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Isaiah 13
The thing with Isaiah, or the whole Bible really, is that it is not one big, happy book where everything is nice and comforting and encouraging. There are large chunks that don't seem to make sense, or are confusing or discouraging or what have you. There are even some passages in the Bible that I wish were not there.
I am tired this morning and feeling the need to read something encouraging and uplifting, something that would inspire me and give me hope as I face the day. That is what I wanted to read and hear in my quiet time before God. Instead I read chapter 13 of Isaiah--the complete opposite of what I was hoping for.
But this chapter is in the Bible and so I must trust and believe that God can still speak to me and teach me despite the seemingly depressing content. This is what I have taken from the chapter:
The LORD is a very mighty and powerful god. He is a god to be feared. He is the God and is not to be taken lightly.
I am tired this morning and feeling the need to read something encouraging and uplifting, something that would inspire me and give me hope as I face the day. That is what I wanted to read and hear in my quiet time before God. Instead I read chapter 13 of Isaiah--the complete opposite of what I was hoping for.
But this chapter is in the Bible and so I must trust and believe that God can still speak to me and teach me despite the seemingly depressing content. This is what I have taken from the chapter:
The LORD is a very mighty and powerful god. He is a god to be feared. He is the God and is not to be taken lightly.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Isaiah 12
There are many things in life and in this fallen world of which I am thankful to God for. But one of the biggest things I am most thankful is for his living, vibrant Word. For through this Word he speaks to us. I read the whole chapter 12 this morning, but really it was the first 2 verses I needed to hear.
"You will say in that day:
'I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
'I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
that you might comfort me.
'Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation'" (vv1-2, ESV).
As I face the new day and all that it has to offer me, both good and bad, joys and sorrow, victories and defeats, trials, testings, and new understandings into the truth of God and his character, I know that through it all, God is and will be my strength and song. He alone has given me hope to live, he alone can bring me true and complete comfort, he alone knows my future and will guide me safely each step of the way. "For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel" (v6, ESV).
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Isaiah 11
That's the wonderful thing about God. No matter how angry he gets or for how long he pours his out his wrath, it is impossible for him to stay that way. Like a child who is suddenly proud to show off his "real"dad, the dad who loves him and shows that love, to all show friends, so is the way I kind of feel as I read this chapter. Finally, God is demonstrating to everyone that he is the winner. Victory is his. The imagery in this passage is rich, particularly verses 1-9. (I apologize for using literary terminology and thinking as I look at this book. It's just the English major in me.) The images are rich and bold, yet show the tenderness and gentleness of God. Verse 6: "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them" (ESV).
Once again, God uses the image of a child. I am not exactly sure why this is, but from a literary perspective, this image represents simplicity and innocence. In Matthew Christ said that he would use the simple to shame the wise. He also explained that to get into heaven you would have to become like a child. When he feed the five thousand, he used the bread and fish belonging to a boy, (and mostly likely a young boy). There is beauty in children, for all there clumsiness and grossness as snot runs from their nose to edge of their mouth and around corner of it, there is a beauty and dependence about them that is so telling to how we are with God. And I guess, just like as a parent can't stay mad at their kids, so God can't stay mad at his either. And when he displays his power and victory, joy can only radiate from the face of his children, whether they're his chosen or his adopted. So let's just praise the Lord today. Amen?
Once again, God uses the image of a child. I am not exactly sure why this is, but from a literary perspective, this image represents simplicity and innocence. In Matthew Christ said that he would use the simple to shame the wise. He also explained that to get into heaven you would have to become like a child. When he feed the five thousand, he used the bread and fish belonging to a boy, (and mostly likely a young boy). There is beauty in children, for all there clumsiness and grossness as snot runs from their nose to edge of their mouth and around corner of it, there is a beauty and dependence about them that is so telling to how we are with God. And I guess, just like as a parent can't stay mad at their kids, so God can't stay mad at his either. And when he displays his power and victory, joy can only radiate from the face of his children, whether they're his chosen or his adopted. So let's just praise the Lord today. Amen?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Isaiah 10:20-34
It is a wonderful thing to be able to rest in the Lord, when you can let all your muscles relax and your troubles and burdens and deadlines melt away as ice on a hot summer day. That is how I am feeling this morning, and I don't want it to end.
As I am able to find this wonderful peace and rest, I read the last part of Isaiah 10 and am quite comforted. Through all God's power and anger and judgment, he has not forgotten, we nor should we forget, his gentle side. "O my people, who dwell in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrians. . . For in a very little while my fury will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction" (vv24-25, ESV). God has not forgotten his people. No where in this passage does it mention gentleness, but I sense it implied in his love for the Israelites. His fury will come to an end. He is hard and angry toward the enemy, but toward his own children he has become gentle. I am having a hard time describing this gentleness in light of the passage, but I hope you can understand anyway.
Today, let us not forget that God is the all powerful god of the universe with whom we should be afraid, but let us also not forget that this God is also gentle an loving, particularly to his own people, his own children. Let's turn not turn away from him, but to him at all times.
Today, let us not forget that God is the all powerful god of the universe with whom we should be afraid, but let us also not forget that this God is also gentle an loving, particularly to his own people, his own children. Let's turn not turn away from him, but to him at all times.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Isaiah 10:5-19
Sometimes I read the Bible and wonder why I serve and follow God. There are aspects about his character that I don’t particularly enjoy or find comforting. But to not read those passages or to pretend that not so pleasing side of God doesn’t exist, would be to remain in ignorance of God, his Word, and the world around us.
The main point I have gathered this morning is that we need to be careful about proclaiming personal success. Our success, whether you have a personal relationship with God or not, comes from him. And to claim all the glory for yourself is a very dangerous thing. “Shall the axe boast over him who hews with it, or the saw magnify itself against him who wields it? As if a rod should wield him who lifts it, or as if a staff should lift him who is not wood!” (v.13, ESV). God gave the king of
God is an awesome and powerful god who gives us success. We are nothing without him. Not only does God deserve respect, but he also deserves all the glory. In fact, the LORD of the Universe is the only one who deserves any glory. If there is anything I need to remember today, I think it is that.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Isaiah 9:8-10:4
Not the most pleasant sounding God. It seems like he is kind of mean and perhaps a little unfair. But then, who are we to judge the living God of the Universe? As I read this passage this morning, I felt a strange sense of peace and rest, as though all the burdens and troubles in my life, all the distractions and responsibilities, were quietly washed away and all that was left was just me and God. These verses may have been about God’s anger and judgment, “for all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still” (9:12, 17, 21; 10:4, ESV). But if you read this passage in context, it is not hard to understand the reason for his anger: his people were not obeying him. They turned their backs on him and sought other gods. They tried to defy the only God. As a result, after being given a chance to repent and turn back, his judgment came upon him.
I don’t know why I felt such peace and rest. I just collapsed into his arms and wanted to stay there. And oh how gentle, but also how strong, his arms are. I’m tired of fighting him, of trying to do things on my own, with my own feeble strength.
I guess, as I read this passage, I see the power God has and I find it easier to give everything up to him than to try to do it myself. And maybe that is exactly where God wants me. As the famous hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
I don’t know why I felt such peace and rest. I just collapsed into his arms and wanted to stay there. And oh how gentle, but also how strong, his arms are. I’m tired of fighting him, of trying to do things on my own, with my own feeble strength.
I guess, as I read this passage, I see the power God has and I find it easier to give everything up to him than to try to do it myself. And maybe that is exactly where God wants me. As the famous hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Isaiah 9:2-7
This is another one of those amazingly beautiful passages with a lot of richness and depth. And that this section is written in poetry only adds to the beauty.
One of the most beautiful and most powerful images, I think, is when something dark and evil is juxtaposed with tenderness and innocence. Take, for example, the scene from the movie The Untouchables, when Costner's character goes to the train station to pick up a key witness. It's a scene of gore, of death and killing. But right in the middle is a little baby in a stroller, ignorant to what is happening around him. And at the same time all the shooting and killing is going on, Costner is trying to save the baby. It makes for a very beautiful and powerful scence, one of my favorites.
And in Isaiah 9, the same thing is done. Verses 4-5 are dark verses speaking of God's judgement and wrath, ending with a very vivid picture of fire and burning and death. And the very next verse (or line) begins, "For to us a child is born"(v.6, ESV).
In the midst of all this fighting and killing, death and darkness, there is a light of hope and peace by way of an innocent child, Jesus Christ.
And as I look at the world today, the fighting and bombings in the middle east and in other places, the murders, and the blatant disregard for other people, there remains that same hope. "... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (v.6, ESV).
One of the most beautiful and most powerful images, I think, is when something dark and evil is juxtaposed with tenderness and innocence. Take, for example, the scene from the movie The Untouchables, when Costner's character goes to the train station to pick up a key witness. It's a scene of gore, of death and killing. But right in the middle is a little baby in a stroller, ignorant to what is happening around him. And at the same time all the shooting and killing is going on, Costner is trying to save the baby. It makes for a very beautiful and powerful scence, one of my favorites.
And in Isaiah 9, the same thing is done. Verses 4-5 are dark verses speaking of God's judgement and wrath, ending with a very vivid picture of fire and burning and death. And the very next verse (or line) begins, "For to us a child is born"(v.6, ESV).
In the midst of all this fighting and killing, death and darkness, there is a light of hope and peace by way of an innocent child, Jesus Christ.
And as I look at the world today, the fighting and bombings in the middle east and in other places, the murders, and the blatant disregard for other people, there remains that same hope. "... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (v.6, ESV).
Monday, March 19, 2007
Isaiah 8:18-9:1
There are two seperate sections in this passage that stand out to me, and perhaps only because I am not sure what they mean. The first one is verse 20b: "...If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn." What does it mean to not have dawn? The KJV says they do not have the light. Does light or dawn represent understanding? Could it read, "because they have no understanding"? The first, "if they will not speak according to this word..." refers to the word Isaiah recieved from God. I guess this makes sense, then, that if anyone chooses to not speak according to God's word, it is becuase they have no understanding (of his Word)? Hhmmm. Again, this is a little troubling becuase I don't quite understand it.
Verse 2, of chapter 9, is similar in that I do not quite understand it. "But in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations." How is this to be read, or interpreted? The rest of of the world, i.e. Europe, North and South America, Australia, etc.? Or is it a direct reference to Galilee, from whence Christ came?
Questions are good I guess, they keep you in check so that you don't became a know it all. They keep to studying so that you can learn. But sometimes questions can be so frustrating, especially when the answer is not easily acquired. But God has his reasons for not revealing certain things to us. And this is yet another small insight into his character.
Verse 2, of chapter 9, is similar in that I do not quite understand it. "But in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations." How is this to be read, or interpreted? The rest of of the world, i.e. Europe, North and South America, Australia, etc.? Or is it a direct reference to Galilee, from whence Christ came?
Questions are good I guess, they keep you in check so that you don't became a know it all. They keep to studying so that you can learn. But sometimes questions can be so frustrating, especially when the answer is not easily acquired. But God has his reasons for not revealing certain things to us. And this is yet another small insight into his character.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Isaiah 8:16-17
After we are told to fear God in verses 11-15, Isaiah tells us what he is going to do. "I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him" (v17, ESV). After all that Isaiah has seen of God and heard from him, he has confidence to wait for and hope in the LORD. What do they mean--wait for and hope in? To wait for anyone really, is to acknowledge that they will come, though you don't know when. Let's flip the phrase around some: "I can't wait for him (or you)." What does this mean? It means that whatever you need to do, it's more important to get it done, than to wait for help. It implies that you don't need help with the task. But to wait for someone until they come, no matter how long, implies that no matter what, you cannot complete, or maybe even start, the task on your own. "I will wait for the LORD." However long it takes, Isaiah is going to wait for the God. Now does this mean waiting idlely, doing nothing until he comes? Not at all. Rather, it means we should busy ourselves with preparation, while we wait (see Luke 12:13-21), doing what we can, where we are at, but never doing any more until our help arrives.
"I will...hope in the LORD." Where do you put your hope? Do you put it in things that will not last? Do you put it in people who will let you down? In feelings that will come and go? In objects that will break and will have to be replaced? Or do you hope in the only constant in an ever changing world? The only Rock who not just was in the beginning, but who was the beginning; the One who created the universe with just a spoken word? Remeber, God is THE all powerful Creator who has everything in control. Nothing made was not made by him (John 1) and nothing happens with out his approval. The Great I Am is more than the only one we can fully and unreservedly place all our hope in. He is the only one worthy of having hope placed in him. Isaiah knew this well.
God will come through; he will show his face to the righteous, to his beloved children. But for a time, we may need to just wait for him and hope in him, just like Isaiah, with the confidence that God will come. Patience my friend, patience.
"I will...hope in the LORD." Where do you put your hope? Do you put it in things that will not last? Do you put it in people who will let you down? In feelings that will come and go? In objects that will break and will have to be replaced? Or do you hope in the only constant in an ever changing world? The only Rock who not just was in the beginning, but who was the beginning; the One who created the universe with just a spoken word? Remeber, God is THE all powerful Creator who has everything in control. Nothing made was not made by him (John 1) and nothing happens with out his approval. The Great I Am is more than the only one we can fully and unreservedly place all our hope in. He is the only one worthy of having hope placed in him. Isaiah knew this well.
God will come through; he will show his face to the righteous, to his beloved children. But for a time, we may need to just wait for him and hope in him, just like Isaiah, with the confidence that God will come. Patience my friend, patience.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Isaiah 8:11-15
"But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread" (Isaiah 8:13, ESV).
Yet another glimpse into the incredibly complex and amazing God. In the same breath, God says he will become a sancturay and a stone of offense, a stumbling rock, snare, and trap. (v. 14). How is it possible that God can be a place of safety and rest and at the same time cause people to stumble and fall and be caught in a snare? There is one word that can explain this: Calvery. Christ death and ressurection has caused wars and brutality and persecution while at the same time it saves lives and gives rest to the weary. The most beautiful and horrifying event in all of history, has been, to this point, Christ's work on the cross. And it will remain that way, I believe, until his second return and God pours out his judgement on the earth and wipes away all our tears.
But this passage not only gives us a glimpse into the the character of the Almighty, it intructs us on how we should act toward him. "You shall regard him as holy." That is not a suggestion. "Let him be your fear." This is advice, especially for gaining wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7). "Let him be your dread." This, too, is advice, but on how to respect him. God is no joking matter. He is real, and he is powerful. We should be in awe whenever we come into his presence. Those of us who have entered into a relationship with him, we have comfort and peace beyond measure. But those of you who have not yet turned thier lives over to him, have much to be afraid of, whether you realize it or not. Yet if you only turn to him and humbly surrender your life to him, he will have mercy on you and rescue you from total destruction.
"But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary..."
Yet another glimpse into the incredibly complex and amazing God. In the same breath, God says he will become a sancturay and a stone of offense, a stumbling rock, snare, and trap. (v. 14). How is it possible that God can be a place of safety and rest and at the same time cause people to stumble and fall and be caught in a snare? There is one word that can explain this: Calvery. Christ death and ressurection has caused wars and brutality and persecution while at the same time it saves lives and gives rest to the weary. The most beautiful and horrifying event in all of history, has been, to this point, Christ's work on the cross. And it will remain that way, I believe, until his second return and God pours out his judgement on the earth and wipes away all our tears.
But this passage not only gives us a glimpse into the the character of the Almighty, it intructs us on how we should act toward him. "You shall regard him as holy." That is not a suggestion. "Let him be your fear." This is advice, especially for gaining wisdom (see Proverbs 1:7). "Let him be your dread." This, too, is advice, but on how to respect him. God is no joking matter. He is real, and he is powerful. We should be in awe whenever we come into his presence. Those of us who have entered into a relationship with him, we have comfort and peace beyond measure. But those of you who have not yet turned thier lives over to him, have much to be afraid of, whether you realize it or not. Yet if you only turn to him and humbly surrender your life to him, he will have mercy on you and rescue you from total destruction.
"But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary..."
Friday, March 16, 2007
Isaiah 8:1-10
In these verses, God speaks to Isaiah against Judah. The section is titled the The Coming Assyrian Invasion. But what is neat about this passage are verses 8 through 10. In verse 8, the Lord ends his little speech by speaking to himself? "...and its outspread wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel" (ESV). I am not sure I understand this part. Which brings me to an interesting side note, or bunny trail: the understanding of scripture.
We are called to study God's word and "hide it in [our] heart[s] that [we] might not sin against [God]" (Psalm 119:11). But how can we do this if we don't understand it? Well, the simple answer is that God will make known to us, that which we need to know. But any avid student of God who is truly seeking after him, will undoubtedly have questions that they may never get an answer to. For anyone who thinks this is unfair, try looking at it this way: If we had no questions at all about God or his Word, then what would keep us from becoming equal to him? Only one person has ever actually sought to become equal to God. And we know what happened to the Archangel Lucifer (see Revelation 12). What gives us the right to be equal to THE Creator of the Universe? The only being who has always existed? Who never had a beginning, but was the beginning. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (ESV). He is the beginning and the end, not he has it. But questions though, good honest questions, whether we get an answer to them we understand or not, is good and healthy. It keeps us in check, from becoming to proud. That may be why sometimes God doesn't allow certain insights into his Word.
But back to the passage. Verses 9 and 10, when you look at the passage, are Isaiah's words. God stops speaking at the end of verse 8 (notice the end quotes). Verse 9 and 10 have no quotes. They are, rather, Isaiah's brief commentary, or exhortation, to whom ever will listen, concerning what God told him. His point is this: Not matter what you do, no matter what measures you take, no one can stand up against God. He has the power to crush any and everyone he pleases. Only by his sovereign mercy does he spare my own life, and yours. And Isaiah can speak this from personal experience (see chapter 6).
But notice how he ends the his commentary, and which I see these verses as an exhortation. "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us" (v. 10, ESV). How encouraging is that. 'If God is for us, then who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). What then do we have to fear? Nothing. Let this then, give us boldness to face the trials. Let us live for him, "For God is with us."
We are called to study God's word and "hide it in [our] heart[s] that [we] might not sin against [God]" (Psalm 119:11). But how can we do this if we don't understand it? Well, the simple answer is that God will make known to us, that which we need to know. But any avid student of God who is truly seeking after him, will undoubtedly have questions that they may never get an answer to. For anyone who thinks this is unfair, try looking at it this way: If we had no questions at all about God or his Word, then what would keep us from becoming equal to him? Only one person has ever actually sought to become equal to God. And we know what happened to the Archangel Lucifer (see Revelation 12). What gives us the right to be equal to THE Creator of the Universe? The only being who has always existed? Who never had a beginning, but was the beginning. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (ESV). He is the beginning and the end, not he has it. But questions though, good honest questions, whether we get an answer to them we understand or not, is good and healthy. It keeps us in check, from becoming to proud. That may be why sometimes God doesn't allow certain insights into his Word.
But back to the passage. Verses 9 and 10, when you look at the passage, are Isaiah's words. God stops speaking at the end of verse 8 (notice the end quotes). Verse 9 and 10 have no quotes. They are, rather, Isaiah's brief commentary, or exhortation, to whom ever will listen, concerning what God told him. His point is this: Not matter what you do, no matter what measures you take, no one can stand up against God. He has the power to crush any and everyone he pleases. Only by his sovereign mercy does he spare my own life, and yours. And Isaiah can speak this from personal experience (see chapter 6).
But notice how he ends the his commentary, and which I see these verses as an exhortation. "Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us" (v. 10, ESV). How encouraging is that. 'If God is for us, then who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). What then do we have to fear? Nothing. Let this then, give us boldness to face the trials. Let us live for him, "For God is with us."
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Isaiah 7:10-25
These verses are rich with the amazing beauty and wonder of God. When Ahaz refused to ask God for a sign, God gave him one anyway. The sign given was that of the Savior, Jesus Christ, v.14b, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” But verses 15 and 16 give us a truly remarkable picture of this child who has come to save us: “He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted” (ESV, Italics added). There was a time in Jesus’ life when he did not know how to refuse evil and choose good? We know he is God (John 1:1-3). And we know he was tempted in every way, just as we are, but was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). But this Messiah also knew a time which he was unable to decipher between good and evil? The vulnerability that God allowed him to face, simply because he loves me is more amazing than I can understand. He was willing to allow Christ to be that vulnerable, and yet his providence kept him from sinning.
Verses 18 and 19 and are also quite beautiful. The Lord will whistle for the fly and the bee, and they will come. It is just another reminder of the ownership and command God has over this world. Everything, the flies, bees, winds, and waves (Matthew 8:23-27) are under his control, they all obey him. Nothing happens without his permission. And this is the same God that I have not just devoted my life too, but with whom I also have placed my complete trust. Why then, should I doubt? What is there that I should be afraid? For all things submit to his authority.
Verses 18 and 19 and are also quite beautiful. The Lord will whistle for the fly and the bee, and they will come. It is just another reminder of the ownership and command God has over this world. Everything, the flies, bees, winds, and waves (Matthew 8:23-27) are under his control, they all obey him. Nothing happens without his permission. And this is the same God that I have not just devoted my life too, but with whom I also have placed my complete trust. Why then, should I doubt? What is there that I should be afraid? For all things submit to his authority.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Isaiah 7:1-9
Isaiah is one of the most powerful books in the Bible, but that is just my opinion. The imagery and poignant languages, working together with the power of the Holy Spirit, bring me suddenly to stop, grabbing my attention and riveting my thoughts on the all powerful Creator and his magnificently powerful Word. I was first abruptly stopped by verse 2 of chapter 7: “When the house of David was told, ‘Syria is in league with Ephraim,’ the heart of Ahaz and the heart of the people shook as the trees of the forest shake before the wind” (ESV, Italics added). I don’t know much about either city, but that news was sure terrifying.
I wonder if I’ve ever been that scared. So sacred I have shaken “as the trees in a forest shake before the wind.” It was an abrupt halt that fully captured my attention and held it, right up to the “punch line,” the final statement that suddenly made me stop and think, that quieted and humbled my heart before the mighty King of the Universe. In the very words of God himself (v. 7), verse 9b reads: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (NIV).
I wonder if I’ve ever been that scared. So sacred I have shaken “as the trees in a forest shake before the wind.” It was an abrupt halt that fully captured my attention and held it, right up to the “punch line,” the final statement that suddenly made me stop and think, that quieted and humbled my heart before the mighty King of the Universe. In the very words of God himself (v. 7), verse 9b reads: “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (NIV).
Isaiah 6
(...from Monday, March 12, 2007)
For me, one of the most powerful passages in the Bible is Isaiah 6. As Isaiah sees the very God of the Universe in all his glory and splendor, the only thing he is able to do is fall prostate on the ground and cry out “Woe is me! I am ruined!” He is completely undone within himself and realizes death is the only solution to the whole situation. God of course has different plans. But almost every time I read this passage, I feel a sense of awe and fear, and in my own little, puny way, I almost feel like Isaiah felt. If there is one passage in the Bible that brings me before the all powerful King in utter humility and fear, I would have to say it is this chapter. That I am still living and that this God still has an assignment for me… Who am I to deserve such grace and honor? To have to Creator of the Universe say to me, "I have an important task for you to do…" I am humbled because I am nothing without him. Even the little I do have to give him, he gave to me first so that I could give it back to him. He knew that was the only way I could show my appreciation. He had to help me show my love and thankfulness to him! Oh how small I am and how little I have. And on the same scale, oh how GREAT God is! John Newton said it well, “all I know is that I’m a very great sinner and God is a very great Savior.” The only thing I can do on my own without God’s help is sin. Sin—doing anything without God’s help, even if the act is inherently good with good intentions. If it’s not done with God helping, it is sin. Oh how much I need him. And how humbled I am that he has chosen to use me simply because he wanted to: “The LORD does whatever pleases him…” (Psalm 135:6). Let us enter into the presence of the Lord today, humbly and reverently, with great fear. And in so doing, not only hear the voice of God, instructing us in how to live, but let him so radically change our lives that we will never be the same.
“‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!’
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” (ESV)
For me, one of the most powerful passages in the Bible is Isaiah 6. As Isaiah sees the very God of the Universe in all his glory and splendor, the only thing he is able to do is fall prostate on the ground and cry out “Woe is me! I am ruined!” He is completely undone within himself and realizes death is the only solution to the whole situation. God of course has different plans. But almost every time I read this passage, I feel a sense of awe and fear, and in my own little, puny way, I almost feel like Isaiah felt. If there is one passage in the Bible that brings me before the all powerful King in utter humility and fear, I would have to say it is this chapter. That I am still living and that this God still has an assignment for me… Who am I to deserve such grace and honor? To have to Creator of the Universe say to me, "I have an important task for you to do…" I am humbled because I am nothing without him. Even the little I do have to give him, he gave to me first so that I could give it back to him. He knew that was the only way I could show my appreciation. He had to help me show my love and thankfulness to him! Oh how small I am and how little I have. And on the same scale, oh how GREAT God is! John Newton said it well, “all I know is that I’m a very great sinner and God is a very great Savior.” The only thing I can do on my own without God’s help is sin. Sin—doing anything without God’s help, even if the act is inherently good with good intentions. If it’s not done with God helping, it is sin. Oh how much I need him. And how humbled I am that he has chosen to use me simply because he wanted to: “The LORD does whatever pleases him…” (Psalm 135:6). Let us enter into the presence of the Lord today, humbly and reverently, with great fear. And in so doing, not only hear the voice of God, instructing us in how to live, but let him so radically change our lives that we will never be the same.
“‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;the whole earth is full of his glory!’
And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: ‘Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!’
Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: ‘Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.’
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’” (ESV)
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