The Source of Praise {Read Psalm 22:23-31}

From You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly (Psa. 22:25 NIV).

 

What do you praise the Lord for and how much do you do it? When someone has performed a heroic deed, or created an astonishing work of art or a magnificent woodcarving, we praise them by telling them how exceptional they are.

 

Some people can’t tell the difference between thanking God and praising Him. We thank Him for what He has done for us; for the fact that He gave us life; for the beauty of the world around us; for specific things He gives us, like the rain, for healing, for a safe journey; or for obtaining a job. We praise Him because He created the universe; because He rules in glory; because He is the Savior and Helper of those who look up to Him; because He empowers us through His Spirit.

 

In Psalm 22, something very important comes to the fore. David is so happy that God carried him through his trials that he states that God is the one who gives him the theme for his praise: “From You comes the theme of my praise.” In other words, when David praises God, it is God who gives him the gift of praise.

 

God lifts him out of his own foolish and inadequate words and gives him the ideas, words and theme to praise Him. Even the praise we bring the Lord is a gift from Him. If you find it difficult to praise God, pray that He will give you this gift.

 

I want to praise You, Lord; praise You with all my heart! Amen.

Touched and Purified {Read Isaiah 6:1-13}

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven” (Isa. 6:6-7).

 

It is no secret that human beings have disappointed God since the beginning of time with their sinful weaknesses. On top of it, their sin causes a tremendous abyss between God and them. The desire to have our sins removed is an exercise that all religions share. The big question is: How should it be done and who must do it? Many people agonize about their guilt and go to extremes to get rid of it.

 

Isaiah was overwhelmed by his feeling of guilt. But he would soon discover the solution. There was no profound ritual that had to be performed or fine that had to be paid, no formula or words to be chanted. The confession of his sin was as far as he could take the matter. Then God took over and forgave him. In the temple, where sensational offerings were normally sacrificed to atone for sin, no offering was required. God used one of the seraphs who simply touched his impure lips and he was purified. All Isaiah had to do was to be aware of this and accept God’s act of love.

 

If feelings of guilt happen to be your problem, come to Jesus and let Him touch you. You can’t cleanse or forgive yourself - only Jesus Christ can do that. If you want to be healed and need to be spiritually equipped to serve Him better, surrender yourself to His purifying and healing action.

 

Merciful Father, through Christ Jesus purify me, heal and forgive me so that I may serve You better. Amen.

Spiritual Qualifications {Read Isaiah 6:1-13}

Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Isa. 6:5).

 

Endless discussions take place in Christian circles on the qualities and qualifications necessary for people who have to take leadership positions in groups or congregations. Various systems are used to train people in providing effective spiritual guidance to Christian communities.

 

Isaiah’s vision and calling show us the three fundamental qualifications. First, he had a vision of God. He could say, “Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Direct knowledge of God in which the person involved knows without a doubt that he met with God, is decisive.

 

Secondly, Isaiah saw himself exposed in all his human weakness, fallibility and sinfulness. A crucial part of spiritual leadership is realistic self-conviction and the consciousness of human weakness.

 

Thirdly, Isaiah knew that he had been forgiven and accepted by God. He could go to the people with self-confidence that was not born of his own achievements and competence, but of humility that came from the knowledge that he was dependent on God’s grace. He would serve, knowing that he was nothing in himself and that God was everything.

 

Whoever is a servant of the Lord, or wishes to be His servant, needs this inner equipment. You must meet God face to face, and know that God has accepted you in spite of all your weaknesses. These are the qualities every Christian believer should work on.

 

Father, allow me to see You often and know that You hold me close and want to use me. Amen.

Where Is God’s Glory? {Read Isaiah 6:1-13}

The whole earth is filled with His glory (Isa. 6:3).

 

At first it may seem strange to think that God is majestic, mystical and “completely different.” After all, doesn’t He reveal Himself in Jesus Christ? Isn’t He revealing Himself all the time in the beauty of nature, and the miracle of human life that is filled with grace and empowerment through His Spirit?

 

In Isaiah’s vision the angels surrounding the throne sang about two things: Some called out, “Holy, holy, holy!” Others called out, “The whole earth is filled with His glory!” This response sings the praises of a God that emerges from His sanctuary - if we might put it this way - and makes very clear what, and who, and wherever He is. This is the aspect of God that we can see, know, appreciate and respond to. We may ask, “Where is God?” One answer is, “He is a hidden mystery whom we will never fully know.” But another is, “He is in a rose in all its splendor and glory; in a breathtaking sunset; in the overwhelming grandeur of majestic mountains.”

 

You sense the glory of God and catch hold of it when you gaze in awe at His presence in nature and the work of His hands in a life totally devoted to love and service. Therefore, admire God’s beauty around you - not just for a fleeting moment - absorb it and allow it to fill you with wonderment. Join in with the universal chorus that praises Him, and in which nature, humans and angels all take part. 

 

Creator God, the whole earth is filled with Your glory! Amen.

Holy! Holy! Holy! {Read Isaiah 6:1-13}

They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies!” (Isa. 6:3).

The word holy is a word that many people find difficult to accommodate. We speak of the Pope as the Holy Father. In a moment of great astonishment we sometimes say, “Holy mackerel!” We snidely refer to someone who parades his virtues as a “Holy Joe" or we say he has a “holier than thou” attitude.

Isaiah emphasized more than anyone else that only God is holy. He detested the corruption, sin, unrighteousness and faithlessness. When Isaiah referred to God’s holiness he meant that God was “different.” He rose above weakness and impurity. Habakkuk said to God, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrong. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Hab.1:13 NIV). It is because of His holiness that God hates sin. When Isaiah chronicled that the seraphs called out “Holy” three times, it was to emphasize and underline God’s holiness. It was to bring home to those who listened to him preach that God does not tolerate the wickedness of the people.

We see holy love in Christ, not just goodness and ordinary love, but the holy love of the Holy God. It is an exceptional kind of love that comes from God and creates love for God. This is why it is godly love instead of human warmth and kindness. Jesus calls on us to love in the holy or godly way that He loved.

Holy Spirit of God, enable me to respect God’s holiness. Amen.

What Is God Saying to You? {Read Isaiah 1:1-10}

Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! (Isa. 1:10 NIV).

 

When strange things happen to us, we sometimes say, “Somewhere in this there must be a lesson for me.” Indeed, the wise find that life teaches them lessons throughout their lives. Whether they take notice of this or learn from it is quite a different matter.

 

It is perhaps not strange that the ancient Hebrews thought of God as a teacher. They even knew the Ten Commandments He gave them to obey as “The Teachings.” Obeying these commandments was learning to be obedient.

 

God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was often referred to as Rabbi or Teacher. His ministry on earth was teaching people about the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ teachings, many of them in the form of stories and parables, are some of the most unforgettable things we will ever hear or learn.

 

What is God’s message for you? You should make it a lifelong task to learn more and more about God. Ask yourself: What is God doing through me by means of this incident? What does the Bible say about this? How is He using these circumstances to show me a better way? You will discover so many interesting, life-changing things that will magnify and deepen your faith and wisdom. Don’t ever stop learning from the Great Teacher.

 

Teacher of life, teach me more and more every day. Amen.

Sometimes Things Go Wrong {Read Isaiah 1:1-10}

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

 

If the LORD of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of us, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah (Isa. 1:9).

 

It is so easy for people of faith to think that everything will always be alright. Except for a few problems, nothing can really go wrong in our lives, because God will not allow it. We can soothe ourselves into a state of false security with this attitude. In our modern day and age we trust scientific wonders to solve our problems. This makes us believe even more strongly that nothing can go wrong. But it can and it does.

 

In the ancient world, the twin cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, were destroyed - according to the Bible, by God Himself. Isaiah believed that Jerusalem was in just as much danger, but that it was spared by the grace of God. Later on, 85% of the Israelites were sent into exile by the Assyrians. The rest were later taken captive by the Babylonians.

 

Certainly, disasters do take place. Millions die in wars; just as many die of poverty-related diseases. Humankind’s future is threatened by massive destruction because of climate change and global warming. International tension could easily lead to another world war.

 

Pray for people in authority. Support organizations that work for peace and the upliftment of the poor. See the necessity of conserving our earth and do your part to make it a reality. Pray to God and plead that He will save us from disaster, and look forward to His kingdom to come.

 

Creator God, keep me from being complacent and self-assured about Your world. Amen.