S) "2 And the people will be like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor."
Isaiah 24:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 24
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 24
O) Isaiah tells a little about how it will look when the LORD judges the earth. In this verse, there is a profound truth about people and human nature. We have a terrible tendency to compare ourselves to each other, which breads discontent, violence, and contempt. However, on the last day, every person will be on a level playing field, so to speak. The non-religious and ultra-religious, the powerful and the impotent, the influential and the insignificant, the rich and the poor. All together, all as one, we will realize that we are united by one simple fact: we were created, and He is our Creator. Whatever measurable difference there was between us, will immediately become insignificant in light of His awesome, overwhelming, pure glory.
A) Whether I see this verse as a promise or a warning, has everything to do with my relationship to Jesus Christ. In Him, I will stand on that day justified, with His righteousness imputed to me as my righteousness. So really, this verse is about Him. It is because of those promises, His promises, the promises built not on my own accomplishments or station in life, but built with the nails that pierced the hands and feet of the Son of God, the promises revealed sure with the revelation of the empty tomb, based on those promises, I look eagerly forward to the day that I will stand before God with no label attached to me. There are times when I struggle with pride that looks like this... I have regrets that I didn't get a college education. I sometimes feel guilty that I live paycheck-to-paycheck. I certainly am a debtor, in the most literal financial definition (although I have plans to get rid of debt this year, actually, but that's a different topic). There are times when I wonder if I should be more ambitious about my career. But, when I read this verse, I have tremendous encouragement! In the end, the size of my house won't matter when it is reduced to rubble. In the end, my job title won't matter when there is no more economy. In the end, I will be just like everyone else, with nothing to define me except my relationship with Jesus Christ. When I think of that, when I look forward to a day when everything else is stripped away, I am full of irrevocable, irresistible, and unspeakable joy.
P) Father, I long for this day, God. I long for the day when I am able to stand before You, and every earthly distraction and distinction is taken away, removed from between us. Help me to remember this, this end game, that is coming, Lord. I confess that my pride, hurt as it is, will sometimes sabotage my focus and confidence, because I am not focused on You, my only reason for confidence. Help me keep focus on the things above, and not things below. Help me stay focused on the end goal, and not temporary statuses. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) Whether I see this verse as a promise or a warning, has everything to do with my relationship to Jesus Christ. In Him, I will stand on that day justified, with His righteousness imputed to me as my righteousness. So really, this verse is about Him. It is because of those promises, His promises, the promises built not on my own accomplishments or station in life, but built with the nails that pierced the hands and feet of the Son of God, the promises revealed sure with the revelation of the empty tomb, based on those promises, I look eagerly forward to the day that I will stand before God with no label attached to me. There are times when I struggle with pride that looks like this... I have regrets that I didn't get a college education. I sometimes feel guilty that I live paycheck-to-paycheck. I certainly am a debtor, in the most literal financial definition (although I have plans to get rid of debt this year, actually, but that's a different topic). There are times when I wonder if I should be more ambitious about my career. But, when I read this verse, I have tremendous encouragement! In the end, the size of my house won't matter when it is reduced to rubble. In the end, my job title won't matter when there is no more economy. In the end, I will be just like everyone else, with nothing to define me except my relationship with Jesus Christ. When I think of that, when I look forward to a day when everything else is stripped away, I am full of irrevocable, irresistible, and unspeakable joy.
P) Father, I long for this day, God. I long for the day when I am able to stand before You, and every earthly distraction and distinction is taken away, removed from between us. Help me to remember this, this end game, that is coming, Lord. I confess that my pride, hurt as it is, will sometimes sabotage my focus and confidence, because I am not focused on You, my only reason for confidence. Help me keep focus on the things above, and not things below. Help me stay focused on the end goal, and not temporary statuses. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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