It’s Friday…But There’s More

Keeping the faith, thriving in our relationship with God is constantly being threatened by distractions to compromise. The people of Israel knew this battle well. As God’s chosen people, they allowed their faith to be watered down. Many had turned to idols; others had simply turned to a lifestyle of apathy. And for that, they would be taken into captivity. They had been given holy Scriptures and vocal prophets to warn them of the cost of disobedience. Still their ears were deaf to the voice of God.

In spite of the judgment coming upon them, Isaiah prophesied about a future Messiah who would both suffer and reign. And he urged God’s people to embrace the one defining characteristic of their history: Faith.

“Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn.”  (Isaiah 51:1)

Yes, Israel had a rich history to draw from – Father Abraham’s faith and an epic exodus, were two major examples. They were instructed to remember where they came from. Whatever ruins they navigated in life, whatever deserts they wandered, God remains a rebuilder. He breathes life into deathly situations. He is a God of grace and resurrection, right?

What are the ruins and deserts of your life? Most people have many: lost chances, wrong choices, damaged relationships, and disappointments. Most of us can still remember how our disobedience or apathy got us into the wastelands of regret. Or perhaps some of us suffer from the mysterious workings of God in spite of our obedience and faithfulness. Either way, let’s ask ourselves this question: “What quarry did I come from?”

The answer, of course, begins with the same answer an Israelite would have had. Yes, as believers in Jesus, we are cut from the faith of Abraham, we’ve been delivered with the captives, and miraculously led to the Promised Land. But There’s More. As followers of Christ, we were also cut from Him, The Ultimate Rock – The Rock of Ages. Our ruins and wilderness experience can no more defeat us than a Cross and a Tomb could defeat Him. Let’s look back only at the Cross and Tomb and press on, press into Him, be chiseled by His Spirit, and look forward in faith.

Have an extravagant weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those who know the chisel of God well, as well as the glorious inheritance they’ve been promised.

All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)