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Mystery of Mercy…

June 21, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

Isaiah 16

Ahh, angels marvel at it too…

“This is the mystery of mercy into which the angels desire to look– that God can be just while he justifies the repenting sinner and renews His intercourse with the fallen race; that Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness to unite with angels who have never fallen and to dwell forever in the presence of God…” GC 145

“In mercy the throne will be established.” Is. 16:5

Nevertheless!

June 21, 2010 / Seán / 1 Comment

Isaiah 14/15

I have been silent, but not still… Yesterday was the climax of the Texico Conference Campmeeting, and my viola was out of its case more than in it, precluding a post.

And then, there were other reasons too…

I’m the kind of guy that expends a great deal of energy on invisible conquest. In fact, most of the people I fight for don’t even know it. (Maybe never will). But that’s ok…

Anyway, all day, and all this morning, verse 1 of chapter 14 kept tapping at my consciousness, waiting for quiet… And finally, I got it.

_______________________

“For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel…”

Even though they had stumbled and fallen. Even though He had picked them up and brushed the dirt off of them countless times before. Even though their mistakes were not always innocent ones… Still…

Still.

I cannot tell you what that means to me. Even though He’s picked me up out of the dirt ten thousand times, yet He has mercy. Yet He chooses me. Does that even make sense?

It reminds me of my favorite word. “Nevertheless.”

Actually, it’s the reason behind my favorite word. Because His unwavering commitment to my salvation (nevertheless) calls forth the best I can give in return…

If His “faith” in me is strong enough to make Him pick me up again when I fall, risking His name over and over again by claiming me as His child, then I am worse than a fool not to honor Him with my trust in return.

And so, am I a man committed.

And though I admit that for the Christian in this world, pain and hardship, toil, sacrifice, grief and loss and suffering are very real, very often… (here comes that word–)

Nevertheless!!!

No more fretting.

June 18, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

Isaiah 13
Victory is promised…
In fact, the more haughty and seemingly invincible the enemy, the more thorough it’s destruction in the end.
Every power under heaven is ultimately subordinate to His master plan…
Uuuhh, why was I fretting??

Sent from my iPad

Sing!

June 17, 2010 / Seán / 1 Comment

Isaiah 12
Praise is peace, and joy, and freedom. And one of the ultimate defenses against temptation.
And it’s the least we can do…
Even if it is a “sacrifice of praise”… After all, His was the sacrifice of suffering.
I personally don’t think that a life of perpetual gratitude is too high a price to pay.
“Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.” Isaiah 12:5

Leadership

June 16, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

“And a little child shall lead them…”
A simple phrase, but a beautiful one. Because in Heaven’s economy, innocence and simplicity are qualities of leadership.
Less is sometimes much, much more.

Safe, and Free…

June 15, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

Isaiah 10

My God is a tender Father to the faithful…

But no less a Man of War.

And what a beautiful combination! It means that while He loves me like a daddy loves his little boy, and while He deals with the utmost tenderness and compassion, that’s only half of the story…

Because my Father is also a fighter.

And that means that even as He holds me tenderly, He fights my chains ferociously. He is all business when He deals with our Archenemy, and He’s the ultimate Winner…

While I am in His hands, I’m safe, and free.

Isaiah 10:33-34

Power to do Good…

June 14, 2010 / Seán / 2 Comments

Isaiah 9

Call it affability, appeal, popularity, or “social power”… God calls it our responsibility.

It goes by the common name– “Influence” —and it’s yours.

I feel really badly for the elders and prophets who misused it. (v.14-17) Abuse of this gift always comes with a high price…

But here’s some good news:

“If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn, they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.” (COL 339)

The Shadow…

June 14, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

Just think:
It’s the most beautiful place in all the world…
A palace without boundaries, a treasury inexhaustible, a fortress impregnable… The place where the both the strongest and tenderest of God’s treasures are perfectly safe.
But this is not like the vaults or bunkers of the world. It is the place where ultimate freedom, and top security become one. Where the most profound protection expresses itself, not with bolts and locks, but with perfect liberty.
This is the sanctuary of the Most High. The shadow of His wings… His pavilion.
And the fear of the Lord is the key to the door.
“Sanctify the LORD of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear… And He shall be for [you] a sanctuary…” Isaiah 8:13-14

Then, Lord Jesus, teach us to fear… That we might abide under the shadow of Your wings.

Who’s Talking?

June 12, 2010 / Seán / 0 Comments

Isaiah 7

The promises in the Word are oft contradicted by apparent reality; oft challenged by the words and works of earthly men and mandates.

And sometimes our doom seems so certain, our hearts quake like trees in the wind… After all, these threats of our enemies are certainly substantiated by their successes in times past…

But wait a minute. Look who’s talking.

These foes so formidable– are they not but dust before our Maker?

And the Author of the Word– is He not Authority Supreme? And is it not He Himself Who says: (v.7) “It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.”??

Ahhh, it is.

So don’t be afraid. Ever.

“Look Who’s talking!”

Mine Eyes Have Seen…

June 11, 2010 / Seán / 1 Comment

Isaiah 6

“Mine eyes have seen the King…”

Dreadful, exultant, awesome phrase.

But the young prince is afraid. It is after all, a dreadful, exultant, and awesome scene that has opened before him.

Pictures this: (seriously, try.)

The Almighty God seated high on His throne; the Seraphs (literally: “Burning things”) hovering over Him while they shield their own faces; the entire temple, the massive, glorious palace of the Infinite God, trembling to its foundations at the voice of His announcer; the whole glorious place filled with white smoke because the very air must praise Him… And the entire scene wrapped, and filled, and bursting with a soundtrack like you’ve never heard…

Wow.

But Isaiah didn’t die. Even though he thought he would…

Because those who submit to the work of grace in their lives have another option.

Transformation.

That’s the one I want…