Isaiah 45 contains some beautiful passages about God's mighty power and sovereignty, as did chapter 44. This morning, we are moving on to Isaiah 46, which details the Babylonian Empire's features and its fall.
When Isaiah was prophesying, the Babylonian Empire was on the horizon. Yet, as he speaks the words of God, we find that the people have been described here in detail. I want to focus on just a couple of verses in that description. Take a look at 46:10-11.
"You were secure in your wickedness;
you said, 'No one sees me.'
Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray.
You said to yourself, 'I exist, and there is no one else.'
But, disaster will happen to you; you will not know how to avert it.
And it will fall on you, but you will be unable to ward it off.
Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly."
As I read these verses, particularly verse 10, I think about so many people today who say this same thing. It breaks my heart, because some of those I love believe this. This godless, worldly philosophy is of the Devil and is the essence of atheism.
This philosophy is prevalent in our public schools and universities. And, it is one explanation for why so many of our young people go astray in their later teens and 20s. This is an outworking of the phrase, "Your wisdom and knowledge led you astray." This happened even to King Solomon, who was judged to be the wisest man of his day! We need to pray diligently for our young ones, as they are under tremendous pressure to abandon their faith. The message pervades our world; they hear it everywhere.
People who believe this satanic philosophy do so for a variety of reasons, but one reason is central: they want to hold on to their sin. They love their sinful lifestyle, at the core of which is "self-determination", the ability to determine one's own path. The anthem of this belief system is a "golden-oldie" from the mid-20th century crooner, Frank Sinatra - - "I Did It MY Way!"
Rebellion is foundational to this movement. It began with the first being to rebel against God, Satan, and has continued down through the centuries as he has continued his campaign to draw people away from the one, true Source of Life.
'I exist, and there is no one else." Such self-centeredness! Of course, if others "do not exist", we do not have to care for them, true? We don't have to be considerate of their needs. If GOD does not exist, then we can happily continue in our sins, true? How very convenient...
For the Christian, our theology turns this belief system on its head. There is no self-determination in Christianity, no "self-actualization", as Abraham Maslow called it. There is only "God-actualization" and "God-determination". A brother quoted Proverbs 3:5-6 yesterday, and it is so applicable here.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Don't depend on your own ability to understand.
In all your ways, give Him your allegiance,
And HE will direct your paths."
God made it abundantly clear in Isaiah 44 and 45 that HE is in control, that our "self-determination" will lead us to disaster. He gives us the free will to either follow Him or not. Let's choose wisely.
I'm reading David Limbaugh's new book, Jesus on Trial, at the moment. Last night I ran across a statement he made. It was something like this - - - the Bible is filled with such amazing, yet counterintuitive stuff, only God could have devised it. David goes on to talk about the many paradoxes that are in the Bible. Excellent book!
Our faith is counterintuitive to our culture in present-day America. It runs "against the grain." To many whose eyes are clouded and ears clogged, it makes no logical sense. It is offensive. Many call it "ignorant". Listen to what God says, through the apostle Paul about true wisdom: {The Message}
"Don't fool yourself.
Don't think that you can be "wise" merely by being up-to-date with the times.
Be God's fool - - - that's the path to true wisdom.
What the world calls "smart", God calls stupid.
It is written in Scripture,
'He exposes the chicanery of the chic.
The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls.' "
Some of you, my readers, may have been led astray by worldly philosophies, rather than by adhering to the things you know in your hearts to be true from God's Word. I beg you today to let go of your rebellion! Return! Return!
"Come ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore,
Jesus ready, stands to save you, full of pity, love and power.
'I will arise and go to Jesus. He will embrace me in His arms.
In the arms of my dear Savior, oh! There are 10,000 charms!' "
Joseph Hart, 1759
Ah Father! My heart breaks. I beg You not to forsake those who wander from the Truth. Please continue to woo them by Your Holy Spirit. I am so grateful for Your promise to fling Your arms open wide and receive us, yes, even run out to meet us in our repentance, as the father of the prodigal son did in Luke 15. Oh dear God! Let today be the day. In Jesus' name, amen.
AMEN...
ReplyDelete