S) "5 Therefore I declared them to you long ago,
Before they took place I proclaimed them to you,
So that you would not say, 'My idol has done them,
And my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.'"
Isaiah 48:5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 48
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 48
O) This passage was written to the captives from Jerusalem, still before their release and return home. God had already told them that they would be exiles for seventy years, before He would bring a remnant of the faithful back to the city which He gave them. There are many benefits of God telling them about their return from exile before they even left (see the book of Jeremiah), but here we see what is, perhaps, the most basic and important reason: God's glory was at stake. As we can see through the last few chapters of Isaiah (and the last few journal entries), God will not give His glory to another. It was true for the Gentile empires that God used to judge His own people and the surrounding nations. It was true for His own people.
A) There is a sense in which this verse affirms God's desire for special revelation (distinct from general revelation that we have through nature). He desires to show specifics to His people (which I am, in Christ Jesus). There have been plenty of times in my life when I have asked God to answer prayers, not for meeting needs but answering questions. Even now, I have questions about my future, and whether or not to move to Montana, or how long to wait, or what work to seek, etc. And while God has done this for His people, this verse reminds me of a big reason why: so they would not attribute His glory to someone or something else. So, if my concern really is what God wants, then my priority in prayer, in seeking answers to questions, should be to glorify Jesus Christ. If God never answers my prayers about things ahead of time, but I am still glorifying God, then I should be content in that. If I am ever in a position that I am giving glory to another (an employer, a tax break, myself), then I am failing on my own, and it has nothing to do with the fact that God didn't tell me something in advance. I do think God can, and still will, give special revelation to His people. I think it is rare, but that He still desires to speak to us through prayers, dreams, or even prophecy by other Christians. I've heard many cases of it, and on some level, it's happened in my own life. With every case, though, it must glorify Him. With every case, it must also be in line with what Scripture already says. God will not give His glory to another. God will not lie.
P) Father, You are worthy of all praise. You deserve to receive all glory and honor and worship. I do long to hear from You directly, God, but only according to Your will. I also want to keep myself in a place that I am always glorifying You, and resisting any temptation to give Your glory to another. I confess that I have done that all to often, either stealing it for myself, or giving it away to others. Please forgive me. Discipline me however You must, in order to prevent me from stealing Your glory. Please speak to me, Lord. Instruct me, lead me, and warn me. All of this to Your glory. I trust in Your will, and if I never hear anything else from You, I know that the Bible is enough to give You glory in everything. Use me however You want. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) There is a sense in which this verse affirms God's desire for special revelation (distinct from general revelation that we have through nature). He desires to show specifics to His people (which I am, in Christ Jesus). There have been plenty of times in my life when I have asked God to answer prayers, not for meeting needs but answering questions. Even now, I have questions about my future, and whether or not to move to Montana, or how long to wait, or what work to seek, etc. And while God has done this for His people, this verse reminds me of a big reason why: so they would not attribute His glory to someone or something else. So, if my concern really is what God wants, then my priority in prayer, in seeking answers to questions, should be to glorify Jesus Christ. If God never answers my prayers about things ahead of time, but I am still glorifying God, then I should be content in that. If I am ever in a position that I am giving glory to another (an employer, a tax break, myself), then I am failing on my own, and it has nothing to do with the fact that God didn't tell me something in advance. I do think God can, and still will, give special revelation to His people. I think it is rare, but that He still desires to speak to us through prayers, dreams, or even prophecy by other Christians. I've heard many cases of it, and on some level, it's happened in my own life. With every case, though, it must glorify Him. With every case, it must also be in line with what Scripture already says. God will not give His glory to another. God will not lie.
P) Father, You are worthy of all praise. You deserve to receive all glory and honor and worship. I do long to hear from You directly, God, but only according to Your will. I also want to keep myself in a place that I am always glorifying You, and resisting any temptation to give Your glory to another. I confess that I have done that all to often, either stealing it for myself, or giving it away to others. Please forgive me. Discipline me however You must, in order to prevent me from stealing Your glory. Please speak to me, Lord. Instruct me, lead me, and warn me. All of this to Your glory. I trust in Your will, and if I never hear anything else from You, I know that the Bible is enough to give You glory in everything. Use me however You want. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment