2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Calendar
FROM HUMILIATION TO JUBILATION
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
Isaiah 54:1-10
Psalm 30
"Sing unto the LORD,
O ye saints of his…"
FROM HUMILIATION TO JUBILATION
If humiliation is the word for Isaiah 53, jubilation then fits Isaiah 54. As a result of the suffering unto death of the Servant Messiah, exuberant life breaks forth in His forlorn spouse. Israel in exile is likened to a barren woman, a wife of youth forsaken by her husband, Maker and God of the whole earth (Isa 54:5). "The shame of thy youth" which commentators think refers to Israel’s bondage in Egypt and "the reproach of thy widowhood" to captivity in Babylon, will be forgotten when the Holy One of Israel, emerging from His momentary anger (because of Israel’s sin) pities to take her back because of His ever-abiding love and to His ever-constant faithfulness.
When God expresses His love to Israel as a loving Husband to an estranged wife, then Israel will become a fruitful mother again with many children. These children comprise both the physical and spiritual. They are the increased numbers of the Israelite nation in her future restoration (today they number over six million in Israel alone) and the greater multitudes of the engrafted from the Gentiles.
In the circumstances Israel was instructed to increase her habitat, to extend the canvass of her tent. God’s saving plan, working out of Israel, will bring in many spiritual children from the Gentile nations. William Carey, father of modern missions (1792) quoting Isaiah 54:2-3, stirred a slumbering England to foreign missions with these words: "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."
Does this passage from Isaiah challenge us to greater endeavours for God? What is your vision in the work of the Lord? Too many church leaders today are confined in the ivory towers of their profession. Too many church-goers see no further than the four walls of their sanctuary. We need the vision of Wesley who said the world was his parish. We need the spirit of Carey to do greater exploits for God.
THOUGHT: (Memorise Carey’s famous words.)
PRAYER: Enlarge my vision and use me, Lord, to do greater works for Thee.
Posted in Adult RPG
Isaiah 54:1-10
Psalm 30
"Sing unto the LORD,
O ye saints of his…"
FROM HUMILIATION TO JUBILATION
If humiliation is the word for Isaiah 53, jubilation then fits Isaiah 54. As a result of the suffering unto death of the Servant Messiah, exuberant life breaks forth in His forlorn spouse. Israel in exile is likened to a barren woman, a wife of youth forsaken by her husband, Maker and God of the whole earth (Isa 54:5). "The shame of thy youth" which commentators think refers to Israel’s bondage in Egypt and "the reproach of thy widowhood" to captivity in Babylon, will be forgotten when the Holy One of Israel, emerging from His momentary anger (because of Israel’s sin) pities to take her back because of His ever-abiding love and to His ever-constant faithfulness.
When God expresses His love to Israel as a loving Husband to an estranged wife, then Israel will become a fruitful mother again with many children. These children comprise both the physical and spiritual. They are the increased numbers of the Israelite nation in her future restoration (today they number over six million in Israel alone) and the greater multitudes of the engrafted from the Gentiles.
In the circumstances Israel was instructed to increase her habitat, to extend the canvass of her tent. God’s saving plan, working out of Israel, will bring in many spiritual children from the Gentile nations. William Carey, father of modern missions (1792) quoting Isaiah 54:2-3, stirred a slumbering England to foreign missions with these words: "Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God."
Does this passage from Isaiah challenge us to greater endeavours for God? What is your vision in the work of the Lord? Too many church leaders today are confined in the ivory towers of their profession. Too many church-goers see no further than the four walls of their sanctuary. We need the vision of Wesley who said the world was his parish. We need the spirit of Carey to do greater exploits for God.
THOUGHT: (Memorise Carey’s famous words.)
PRAYER: Enlarge my vision and use me, Lord, to do greater works for Thee.
Posted in Adult RPG