YEAR 2, WEEK 26, Day 1, Monday, 26 June 2023

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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 26 June 2023:

Isaiah 52:5 – “Now therefore what have I here,” declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised.”

Our power, freedom, and peace can’t be taken away, but we gave it away, and when we do, the world mocks Christianity because they see no power in it from our lives; we look and act just like everyone else. Jesus said that ALL power and authority has been given to us (under His authority) by the Father when He commissioned us to be His disciples and to make disciples of all the nations. If we don’t feel that power, we are not operating, in Him, with Him, and through Him.

To mock God’s people is to blaspheme His name.

Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

How beautiful are your feet? Are you proclaiming the Good News? Does your life reveal the majesty of God, and do your words proclaim His glory?

Isaiah 52:11 – Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.

The Bible uses words twice, rarely, for emphasis. Only two times in the New Testament is a word used three times (“Woe, woe, woe” and “Holy, holy, holy”). This verse is meant to get your attention – leave the ways of the world, purify yourself as a vessel of the Holy Spirit of God.

Isaiah 52:13-15 – Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind— so shall he sprinkle many nations. +-+Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.

These verses are a foreshadowing of Jesus, “lifted up” (on a cross), “highly exalted by many and appalled by others; disfigured and sacrificed (the sprinkled blood of the sacrifice) for the nations; the KING of kings.

Ephesians 3:3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 16, 19, 20, 21 – “The mystery was made known to me by revelation…. revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…. I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power…. this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ…. we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him…. that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…. to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God…. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Paul was equally emphatic that his faith, love, knowledge, preaching ability, boldness, and strength were all gifts from God rather than the product of his abilities. In fact, he emphasized that the gifts he had obtained from God and shared with others were “unsearchable,” surpassing human knowledge or understanding, and beyond what anyone could ever imagine or ask from God; and his prayer was that others would experience the same fullness of God, being filled up by God. Paul relentlessly gave God all the glory. Do you?

Don’t make the mistake Moses made at Meribath: “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10) Don’t attempt to share the glory with God as He works through you with His power — It is never “we;” it is only “He.” Watch out for that personal pronoun, “I” when celebrating accomplishments. To God be the glory.

We were designed by God to continuously abide (live) in Him and to receive everything we need for life from Him, like a branch receives all life from the vine, bearing the fruit of His life trough us. (see John 15) We cannot be fruitful apart from His continuous provision, and there is no life in what we try to do independently. If you seek to do life from your own human understanding, will, and abilities, it you try to handle life’s challenges (even the smallest challenges) apart for the continual revelation, instruction, and power of God, you will place upon your shoulders an impossible burden which will only leave you exhausted and defeated. Jesus said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Cast your burdens upon the Lord, trust in Him, and rest in Him with continual love, joy, peace, contentment, and gratitude.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 26 June 2023: Celebrated God’s grace and provision in your life. Go out of your way to give God all the glory today. In all that you say and do, point others to Jesus – don’t allow yourself to be a distraction to others from Him.