Tuesday, March 24 2009
ISAIAH 18
Key Verse: V4 “For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
Have you ever wonder where is God when tragedy happens? Let us remind ourselves that God knows everything including the bad things and let us give glory in everything.
1. God Pronounced Judgment
V1 “Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:”
V2 “That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!”
God pronounced judgment upon Ethiopia who persecuted Israel, the nation scattered and peeled, or the nation of God. God is watching the church. God is watching the church when she is suffering from persecution. God is watching the church when false doctrines enter into the church. God is watching the church when there is division and strife. Many times, God allows crises and tragedies to happen to His people and his church for His purpose of purification, sanctification or reasons best known to Him. Whatever happens, let us as a church continue to trust God for He knows best for one day He shall judge us!
2. God Pronounced Rest
V4 “For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
Let us remember to take our rest and consider and reflect on God’s blessings on our lives! Many times, in the hustle and bustle of our busy life, we fail to appreciate God’s goodness and grace for all that He has done in our lives. Let us take moments of rest in the mornings, afternoons and evenings and reflect upon the goodness of God. When we rest, we are not just resting our physical bodies, but we are also renewing our minds and spirits and recharging and strengthening our faith in God.
3. God Pronounced Glory
V7 “In that time shall the present be brought unto the Lord of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from the their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount of Zion.”
At the end of God’s judgment and rest, is that God’s name be glorified. Whatever that God has for His people and the church is that they will ultimately give glory to His name.
Food For Thought
Give Glory to God in Everything.
