Friday, April 24th, 2009

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Isaiah 42:6-7

"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."

Comfort and love...this is what those who have been called by God out of sin and misery into righteousness receive from Him. This is what I receive from Him. Like a father does to a not so sure footed child as they walk across rough terrain is what God does for me. He takes me by the hand, leads me toward righteousness and goodness, and love follows me all of my days, He keeps my feet sure over the terrain that would easily trip me up and make me fall. The rough spots in life are the spots that God not only leads me by the hand through, but carries me over in many cases.

A covenant for the people, a light for the nations, open eyes of the blind, set loose the prisoners those who sit in darkness. This covenant that is set forward for the people is none other than Jesus Christ. For, it is none other than He who is the covenant for the people. It is none other than He who is a light for the nations. It is none other than He who opened the eyes of a blind man, me, and many other men, the world. It is none other than He who frees the prisoners from the darkness of their souls, corruption and sin. I was one of these prisoners who were set free, so I exclaim, Hallelujah, praise Jehovah! Let me sing of His praises this morning, let me tell of His excellent might. Let me not forget through the trouble, toil, and wearisome nature of life, that the King of Glory has set me free from the realm of darkness and brought me into the realm of light, His kingdom that has no end. He has re-created me in His image, and now I live as one who is free to prais Him and sing of His excellent greatness. Praise you, Jesus.

Then, God speaks and tells me what He expects out of me. He tells me that He is the LORD, the covenant God, the great I AM, Jehovah. He is the one who is faithful to all generations of His people. His name implies His power, His might, and His steadfast love. Because of who He is then, He demands absolute obedience and dedication. He demands that He is glorified in all of my thoughts, in all of my words and in all of my deeds. He demands my whole, my life, my all. The Israelites went after idols made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, etc., they made these little trinkets and worshipped them. What is the difference between these things made with hands that took the Israelite's focus off of God, and gave glory and honor to these trinkets than a job that is desired, a TV program, movies, recreation, or any other thing. We are not so silly these days, most people, to bow down to a piece of wood, and say, "This is my god!", but we are foolish enough to spend our every last piece of energy to get a promotion. We are foolish enough to forget God in the busyness of the week, and put our kids sports programs over Him. Oh, we may not have gods of silver or gold, but we have gods of electronics and possessions.

These demands, of absolute and complete dedication and passion though, I cannot meet, these obligations, I cannot fulfill, so I stand at the mercy seat of God, and plead the merit of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

So, the former things, the love of idols and the world, will now pass away, and things will become new. God tells me that He will pour out His Spirit upon His people, and I am one of His people. He tells me that He will give me a new heart, which He has, but as David says in Psalm 51, create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence oh God! I pray today, oh God, that you would pour your Spirit and your grace upon me to make you the most important, the most wonderful, the most magnificent thing to me. Make me desire and love you with a passion that I don't have for anything else. Let me be overwhelmed with your love and goodness, and let me seek after you and your kingdom first. Let the world, its plans and its dreams be fulfilled as I seek your kingdom and your righteousness first. Amen!