ISAIAH 46:8-13 – Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.”
THEME OF THE DAY: HE IS GOD. HE IS IN CONTROL. ALL IS WELL. So, what was the one thing that jumped out of today’s scripture as we read it? I know there is much more than one thing, but, if need be, go back and read it again. Do so in light of what is happening in our world. So, what was the one thing that grabbed our attention and gripped us with force? As you ponder your answer, here is mine. It actually is the theme of today’s nugget; He is God. He is in control. All is well. And how encouraging is that in the times in which we live? It points us to confidence and the place to put our trust. However, and it is a big however. This is truth that must be ever before us and settled deep in our hearts and minds for there are many things seeking to distract us and draw us away. That leads to the challenge and application. Christian, don’t allow a heavy dose of cable news, internet stories, articles, opinions, interviews, blogs, and claims of politicians to cause us to do three things.
First, by watching and listening to more of the world than God’s Word, we will get our attention attached to this world and forget eternity. This always leads to spiritual indifference, and we may easily find ourselves thinking and talking more worldly than heavenly, damaging our testimonies for Christ before a watching world.
Another thing will happen to us if we are being shaped and formed by the world not the Word; we will forget the sovereignty of God and His complete control of all things. Or basically, we will not remember today’s scripture. Should that happen, welcome fear, anxiety, stress, and worry. Welcome professing to be a believer but fretting like an unbeliever.
Finally, the more we ignore and neglect today’s scripture as the only and right place to interpret the world, the less we will trust God and actually start putting our trust in anything or anyone outside of the Lord. To do that is to forget our only hope for change and rescue is God granting life-changing revival, not government or anyone else. Should we give more time “glued” to a screen listening to fallen people instead of prayer and seeking God, our trust will subtly shift to fallen men. Remember, we cannot trust in the Lord and man simultaneously.
PRAYER: “Father, protect me from the ways of men becoming what I trust to fix this world and act like an unbeliever.”
QUOTE: “Spend more time listening to the voices of the world than the Voice of God’s Word, you will become afraid.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim