Is. 1-2
I can’t say that I have a firm grasp on the prophesies of the Bible, but there are a few tidbits of information or wisdom that I pick up here and there. And so I share a few scraps from these chapters in Isaiah.
1. How are animals different than people? Animals are smart enough to know who their master is! We humans tend to think we are the masters of our own lives, and so we do what seems best to us rather than living in humble obedience to God.
2. “If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.” (Is 1:9). Interesting to me that Isaiah makes this statement in the past tense, when the destruction of Judah had not yet come. But it seems to me to be a timeless statement – one that will always be true. For God always leaves a remnant through which He carries out His plan and His promise.
3. Going through the motions of worshiping God is meaningless. God will not accept our token sacrifices. He desires our full devotion. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword” (Is 1:19-20). It is a simple choice – an obvious one. And yet we still try to get the good of the land by our own means.
4. There is none like God. There is no one and no thing higher than He. And there will come a day when everything that is will know it and will fear Him. “And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” (Is 2:17). I pray that I am found already humbled when that day comes!
2 Cor. 11:16-33
Paul suffered a lot to bring God’s truth to anyone who would listen. His motive was clearly not for selfish gain! Strange, isn’t it, how God doesn’t just give us this Truth for ourselves. What is it that compelled Paul to care so much about the lives of others – first to bring the truth of Christ to those who did not have it, and then to nurture those who received it into a more abundant life?
Here’s the thing – when we take on a new life in Christ, God’s Holy Spirit indwells us. God cares deeply and compassionately about those who are…or will be…His. And so that passion is planted in us with God’s Spirit, and it is He who works through us to reach His world. Though we may not be called to the same kind of ministry as Paul, I think we are all called to be a channel for God’s love to the world. If we are truly abiding in Christ and He in us, then His concerns should be our own. God give me a heart to genuinely care about others – whether I know them or not – the way You do!