November 21, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.” (Isaiah 1.30-31)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

As a follow-up to yesterday’s reflection, I would offer this word: we were made in the image of Christ, Christ came into the world to remind us of the rightness and the power of living into that image and that God desires we grow into that image by following the example of His Son.

There is a limit to our ability and accomplishments. If we are truly mighty “men [the generic terminology]” of God, then we understand that even if the “sky was the limit” and we see a limitless sky, there is still a limit. The question of the universe is often raised as “we” peer into the darkness with the hope of “what”? What is it we are looking for? Is it the answer to the vital question or questions of life? Does that answer exist in what is seen? If we can find the answers to all our questions, then have we eliminated the need for faith? And in the fleeting moment of asking that very question, my mind entertains another question “Is there no faith in Heaven?” If “Faith is the substance of what we hope for and the evidence of things not seen,” then when in Heaven are all our hopes satisfied and all things made visible? I just believe we are able to conceive of some dangerous questions which are perhaps too dangerous to ask. I listened to some dialogue on such questions. For example, what is the true identity of the Nephilim“? Not only what is their true identity but what is their origin. Ultimately, we must be very careful that we do not exceed our ability to reason by faith. By faith, we as mighty ones of God, must believe that regardless all things come from God who is the author and creator of all life. To take on the responsibility for “I know this to be true by what I have gained by my own efforts” borders, if not crosses the line of, blasphemy. Some things we will not know. Some things God keeps from us because it serves no good purpose to know them. Life must include a sense of mystery, awe and wonder to propel us forward. That does not mean we will be satisfied this side of Heaven to know all things. On that side of earth, those things will not matter because the full answer is “I AM God.” Still the search goes on. Without the counterbalance of the sovereignty of God, the accumulation of knowledge for our own purpose then serves no “good” purpose. This, I believe is the message that concludes the first chapter of Isaiah. Even the possible, probable, reminder of life inside and outside the original Garden of Eden which can be seen in those verses is a stark reminder of the sovereignty of God. With Him our relationship with life flourishes. Without Him our relationship with life will cease. The very fire intended to warm us in the dark of night will become the pyre which consumes us in that bitter dark where there is no night or day. What a warning is issued to Israel at this point. It is a harkening to remember the past and the failures whose consequences were dire for those who put their faith more in themselves and their kings. It is also a stern warning of what lies ahead for those who believe either “it cannot happen to me” or “I know better now” but fail to heed the warning.

Our discipleship, mighty ones of God, is an effort of due diligence. Grace is a gift freely given. Grace is not, however, a life without fierce commitment to our calling as God’s people in a world that is sin-fected. We must hold fast to trusting God in all things and lean not on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3.5)

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit in order that others be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind so we would know we are Your people and You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.