Tag Archives: Obedience

Day 254: The end of Isaiah

Isaiah 65-66; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Today’s chapters in Isaiah can almost stand alone as a summary of the whole book (and for the whole Bible, for that matter)!

Isaiah 65 begins with our faithful God calling out to his people. They would not listen and turned away towards their own pleasures and gods (65:1-7). God’s just judgment flows, but again, we see God’s grace as He preserves a remnant (65:8-12). He refers to this remnant as “servants,” and they receive great blessing. They shall eat, drink, rejoice and sing for gladness of heart (65:13-16)!

Now let’s pause and consider the jaw-dropping grace of our God. He was patient and long-suffering with His people.

Similarly, He was patient and long-suffering with the early church. Consider the topics that Paul has addressed throughout our reading in 1 Corinthians… Sexual immorality, idolatry, pride, greed, disrespect – and today we read that the Corinthian church was in such an extreme chaotic state that Paul actually had to teach them, “All things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40)!

But, don’t we deal with the same sins in our own hearts and churches today? Yes, God has also been patient and long-suffering with us! Isaiah’s words apply to us as well:

I spread out my hands all the day
to a rebellious people,
who walk in a way that is not good,
following their own devices… (Isaiah 65:2)

We must not belittle the grace of our God!! We must be grateful that we are counted among his remnant and be honored to be considered one of his “servants!” For through the writing of Isaiah, we have a hope that can’t be shaken – a future that will be full of joy and peace (Isaiah 65:17-25)!

And finally, Isaiah concludes his book by describing the way into this future glory… It is only through a humble and contrite spirit (Isaiah 66:1-6). We have no hope of attaining this future on our own – we need His help – His all-powerful, gracious, loving… help.

And then Isaiah describes the gathering of all people from all the ends of the earth. We will gather together to see His glory. And then we will worship (Isaiah 66:18-23), for what else can be done when in the very presence of God??!!

For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the Lord,
shall your offspring and your name remain.
From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,
declares the Lord (Isaiah 66:22-23).

And the people said, “Amen!”

Day 253: Not just a clanging cymbal!

Isaiah 62-64; 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

It would seem that there were some in the Corinthian church who could speak in tongues. This is a way of praying or praising God in a language that the speaker doesn’t even understand. It is a work and a gift of the Spirit in the believer’s life.

There are conflicting views on whether this gift ceased after the apostolic age (after the time the apostles worked to build the early church) or if it continues to this day and will end when Christ returns (13:8). Whatever your view, it is important to note that speaking in tongues is not a requirement for all Christians – it is a simply a gift.

Evidently, the believers in Corinth put an especially large emphasis on this gift of speaking in tongues, because Paul goes to great lengths in Chapter 12 to emphasize the importance of ALL spiritual gifts. Then he goes on in Chapter 13 to emphasize LOVE over ALL things, and finally in Chapter 14, he is tackling the subject of speaking in tongues head-on.

Paul – even though he says he speaks in tongues more than anyone in the church of Corinth – diminishes this gift in the church – simply because it is only beneficial to the speaker and unintelligible to others within the congregation.

It also hinders the gospel to outsiders…

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? (1 Corinthians 14:23).

So let’s wade through the mire of details to find the transcendent principle. First, everyone is valuable within the church. It is common for those with more “behind the scenes” gifts to not feel as valuable as those with “up front” gifts. The Corinthian church exalted speaking in tongues over other gifts. Our churches might exalt something different – but no matter what gift is exalted, it is wrong. All gifts are vital to the building of the church!

We can also learn to conduct our worship services with a sensitivity to “outsiders” or unbelievers. We want to conduct our church-life and all-of-life in a way that others don’t look in and think “They are out of their minds!” :)

This is a worthwhile principle! We want our lives to be savory to the world – for we want ALL to come into God’s Kingdom and experience the indescribable joy that awaits for us at the end of the age!!!

Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
Behold, the Lord has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the Lord;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken. (Isaiah 62:10-12)

Day 252: The Love Chapter

Isaiah 59-61; 1 Corinthians 13

Today we get to the famous “Love Chapter.” 1 Corinthians 13 has to be one of the best-known passages from all of Scripture, but it’s important to remember its context…

Paul has been addressing specific issues within the Corinthian church. There have been cases of division, taking fellow Christians to court, incest, sexual immorality, divorce, idolatry and other temptations.

As he addresses these various issues, Paul repeats a well-known saying from the city of Corinth, “All things are lawful.” But Paul adds the phrase, “but not all things are helpful.” Throughout his letter, Paul has pointed back to Christ’s sacrificial example and has exhorted the church to consider three things in every action and decision:

  1. First, consider others before yourself,
  2. Secondly, do nothing that will taint the message of the gospel,
  3. And finally, do everything to the glory of God.

I believe all of the issues within this church were rooted in pride and self-centeredness. Sure, they could prophesy and have amazing faith – but if their actions weren’t done in love, it was like a clanging cymbal…

It is within this context that Paul delivers his famous treatise on love.

  • Love is patient (so don’t take your brother to court, 1 Cor. 6)
  • Love is kind (so consider those who are weaker in faith, 1 Cor. 8)
  • Love does not envy or boast (so quit fighting amongst yourselves, 1 Cor. 3)
  • It is not arrogant or rude (so show respect to your spouse, 1 Cor. 11)
  • It is not irritable or resentful (so consider everyone as a vital member of Christ’s body, 1 Cor. 12)
  • It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth (so don’t turn the Lord’s supper into a drunken, gluttonous feast, 1 Cor. 11)

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Paul is calling believers to interact with one another in a way that mirrors Christ’s love toward us!!

Hear the words of Isaiah describing the deep, all-consuming love of our Messiah toward us…

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me
because God anointed me.
He sent me to preach good news to the poor,
heal the heartbroken,
Announce freedom to all captives,
pardon all prisoners.
God sent me to announce the year of his grace—
a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—
and to comfort all who mourn,
To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion,
give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes,
Messages of joy instead of news of doom,
a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.
Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness”
planted by God to display his glory (Isaiah 61:1-7, The Message).

May his perfect love take hold and send roots deep into our hearts so that we might reflect His love to our neighbors, our church and to our world!

Day 251: A vital part

Isaiah 56-58; 1 Corinthians 12

Isaiah 56 opens the third and final section of Isaiah which is a guide for all of God’s people in all ages. In other words, these chapters of Isaiah are meant for us.

Isaiah begins by widening the definition of God’s people to include anyone from any nation that binds himself to God’s covenant (56:1-8). Then he describes the type of people who have no place in God’s Kingdom… the idolaters, complacent leaders, deserters and mockers (56:9-57:13). But God provides a way for even these types of people to enter His Kingdom… through repentance.

And it shall be said,
“Build up, build up, prepare the way,
remove every obstruction from my people’s way.”
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57:14-15).

This is the way of the Kingdom…through humility and a contrite spirit. And we see this demonstrated beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12 as Paul constructs the metaphor of the church being the “body of Christ.” Each member of the church has an individual and vital role in the church’s purpose and work in the world.

If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing?
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:17, 21-22, 26)

This concept of “church” is based on laying aside our individualism and working collectively for the glory of God. This requires sacrifice. This requires a humble and contrite spirit!

Isaiah 58 is a glorious example of how the church should operate in the world – working together to seek justice for the oppressed, not justifying itself with empty rituals and puffed up religious duty.

Do you consider yourself a vital part of your church body? Have you ever considered the hole that would be created if you failed to serve or left the church altogether? Even though our culture screams “Individualism” to us constantly, the Bible teaches otherwise. We are members of His body. Our greatest impact in this world is done in the context of being a vital part  – not the whole, and not alone – but a part of the church. What part are you?

Day 250: Words of life

Isaiah 54-55; 1 Corinthians 11

The first half of 1 Corinthians 11 seems dated and irrelevant. What’s all this talk about women covering their heads? What in the world does this mean, and is it really important?

Once again, Paul is addressing a specific issue in the Corinthian church and we must look through the details to find the applicable principle.

In Paul’s day, it was only a married woman who wore head coverings. So this passage is specifically referencing the relationship between husbands and wives – not between men and women in general. If a married woman worshiped with her head uncovered, this would bring great shame to her husband – as if to say she were “sexually available” or not married at all.

Evidently, this was an issue in the Corinthian church, so Paul exhorts the congregation to act in a way that would bring glory to God. In other words, do not let external acts of disrespect distract others from the gospel.

Similarly, Paul instructs the church in the proper way to celebrate The Lord’s Supper (11:20-34). It wasn’t to be a glutenous feast with people gorging themselves with food and wine. No! It was an act of worship – a time where the congregation was supposed to lay aside their own desires for the sake of others and for Christ.

Their corporate worship was a witness to the world! What did their community communicate about Jesus when they came together to worship? Did they send a message of disrespect and lust for selfish desires – or did they consider the needs of others before themselves?

The Corinthian Church struggled with the same temptations we face… selfishness, individualism, rebellious attitudes, conformity to the culture, lust, greed, should I go on?? ;)

When my sin threatens to overwhelm me, I look to the grace and kindness of my God.

Today’s reading from Isaiah is spilling over with God’s goodness and grace! Savor the words from Isaiah 54-55. Let them sink deep into your soul and breathe life into your dry bones. These are the words of your Lord. These are the words of life!

Seek God while he’s here to be found,
pray to him while he’s close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. (Isaiah 55:6-7, The Message).

Day 244: My procrastinating…

Isaiah 40; 1 Corinthians 7

I confess that I’ve procrastinated in writing this post. Paul addresses marriage, singleness and divorce in this chapter, and frankly, I don’t want to write about those topics. Especially since Paul’s teaching isn’t crystal clear, and there is a myriad of views of exactly what Paul means – especially concerning divorce. He is also misunderstood regarding his dealings with marriage and singleness, and I don’t even want to go near the section about servitude in the middle of the chapter!

Now I’m exaggerating a bit. But there is quite a theological stir created by Paul’s teachings in this chapter.

I’ll say this… Divorce is painful – both before and after. I understand why God hates it so much. It’s a ripping of flesh, a tearing apart, and it hurts. But sometimes I think the church can judge too harshly when someone has been through this painful experience. The church should be there to offer God’s truths in a supportive and comforting way – not to condemn.

And regarding Paul’s comments on marriage and singleness. Some can misinterpret him and conclude that marriage is bad. ABSOLUTELY NOT! Marriage reflects the unity and diversity of the trinity itself! It was ordained by God in the very beginning as the foundation for all of civilization. Marriage is one of God’s primary tools for sanctification in the believer! Some are better equipped to spread the gospel because of their spouse’s support and influence. But others are not, and Paul falls into the single camp. God uses both singleness and marriage to purify His people and glorify His name. They are both good.

Now what about Isaiah? :)

Today’s reading in Isaiah is the beginning of a 15-chapter section that addresses the future exiles in Babylon. It is a period in Israel’s history where God’s wrath has (partially) been satisfied and God is working to rebuild and restore his people.There are many familiar verses in these chapters of Isaiah, for they speak of God’s comfort and grace.

It is easy to translate these chapters to the church, today – because we, too, live in a time where God’s wrath has been satisfied and He is working to build and strengthen his people. We can look to these chapters for comfort and strength as we, citizens of God’s spiritual Kingdom, live as exiles on this earth.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins. (Isaiah 40:1).

Day 243: I need Him!

Isaiah 36-39

I love Hezekiah. I’ve already written about him on days 154 & 223. But Isaiah writes about Hezekiah as his contemporary…He knew him.

Isaiah uses this historical interlude as a bridge between sections in his book. He is transitioning from addressing Judah under the current Assyrian threat to addressing the (future) Babylonian exiles in chapters 40-55. Because of this transition, Isaiah makes interesting narrative choices…

The events in Chapters 38-39 occur before those in Chapters 36-37. Hezekiah’s illness, prayer of repentance and subsequent foolish interchange with the Babylonian envoys occur before Sennacherib’s threat. Isaiah switches the order in order to conclude the first section of his book by telling the story of God’s miraculous defeat over the Assyrian army (Chapters 36-37). He then transitions into the Babylonian exile by narrating the story of Hezekiah foolishly revealing all of his riches to the Babylonians (Chapter 39).

God’s hand was on Hezekiah. First, God used the threat of death to root out the pride that was in Hezekiah’s heart (38:1). Hezekiah repented, and God gave Hezekiah a miraculous sign to assure him his life would be extended 15 years (38:2-8).

Then, the Babylonian envoys arrived (39:1-2). 2 Chronicles sheds light on this incident:

But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31).

When God “left him,” the sin in Hezekiah’s heart was revealed. Showing the Babylonians his riches was a humanistic attempt to gain their favor. In essence, Hezekiah exchanged the Lord’s favor for the Babylonians’. He repeated the same sins of his ancestors – he looked to human alliances instead of to God for salvation from his oppressors. When Isaiah linked Hezekiah’s sin to the future Babylonian exile (39:5-7), Hezekiah’s response was puzzling…

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.” (Isaiah 39:8).

This response revealed that Hezekiah was short-sighted and selfish. But he was also faithful…

A short-time later, Hezekiah faced Jerusalem’s most serious threat to date. The Assyrian army had already destroyed the Northern Kingdom and most of the cities in Judah. In the face of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah fled to His God (37:1) and prayed a most beautiful prayer of dependence and faith. He asked God to save Jerusalem – not for the people’s sake – but for God’s name’s sake! Hezekiah prayed on behalf of God himself (37:14-20).

God delivered Jerusalem in a way that could only be attributed to Him. He, alone, would receive the glory – for the sake of his name!

Hezekiah was so like many of us.

In the face of great trial and suffering, we run to our God. But in times of blessing and plenty, we become self-reliant and selfish.

We have to fight to abide in times of blessing. We have to fight to stay connected to the vine. We have to be intentional to seek God’s help and direction when our lives are good not just in times of crisis.

I love Hezekiah because his life reminds me of the importance of God’s presence. I can’t let ease and comfort lull me into lazy self-reliance. I need Him every hour. I must live like it!

Day 242: The Lofty and Mundane

Isaiah 33-35; 1 Corinthians 6

I would not have chosen to pair the soaring beauty of Isaiah with the practical how-to’s of 1 Corinthians. But, as I think further, I’m thankful for the reminder that the beautiful, sweeping truths of Isaiah can be applied to our nitty-gritty daily grind.

In typical ‘Isaiah’ fashion, he skips around in time – first declaring that God would save Jerusalem from the impending Assyrian threat (chapter 33) and then fast-forwarding in time to the end of the age – when the nations would be judged (chapter 34) and his people would be saved (chapter 35).

Meanwhile, Paul is talking about court cases and sexual purity. Great. But at the heart of the sins of the Corinthian church was a shallow understanding of the gospel. Both Isaiah and Paul commended their readers to delve into the depths of God’s character found in the beauty of the gospel.

Say to those who have an anxious heart,
“Be strong; fear not!
Behold, your God
will come with vengeance,
with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4).

Isaiah points forward to the sure promise of God’s salvation. Hope in God is the key to persevering faith.

Paul encourages the Corinthians to look past the physical world and acknowledge the forever spiritual realm. In doing so, he challenges them to apply the truths of the gospel to their everyday lives.

He argues that our present-day actions will have an eternal impact. The deeds done in the body affect us forever spiritually because even our bodies are “members of Christ.”

How are we united with Christ? How is it that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit? Because of our faith in the gospel… that Jesus’ sacrifice has reconciled us to God. Our faith seals us with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14). We are his.

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Isaiah reminds us of the beauty of the salvation of God. It comes as “waters break forth in the wilderness” (35:6) and causes “sorrow and sighing [to] flee away” (35:10). But Paul makes the gospel practical – and challenges us to make these beautiful truths affect our moment-by-moment choices.

Remember. You were bought with a price. The love of Christ should compel us to obey.

Day 197: Two visions

Ezekiel 40; Acts 16:1-15

I just read in one of my commentaries… “Interpreters do agree on one point… Ezekiel 40-48 is one of the most difficult passages in the entire Bible.” Great.

I know why it is difficult. These prophecies have not been fulfilled, and therefore, theologians have different interpretations of its meaning.

Ezekiel 40-48 is the 2nd “temple vision” in Ezekiel. The first vision in chapters 8-11 showed the abominations of idolatrous people before the destruction of the temple. This second vision occurs 14 years (to the day) after the fall of the city and the destruction of the temple. Through visions, God shows Ezekiel a vision of a future, rebuilt and restored temple.

Here’s the controversy… Some scholars believe this vision is a literal temple that will be built one day in the future. Others believe this rebuilt temple is symbolic of God’s presence with his people during our current church age – and still others believe this vision is symbolic of perfect worship in the New Earth.

Not that it matters much… but I lean toward a symbolic interpretation of this vision – especially since Ezekiel was a priest (in his life in Judea) and would have been extremely familiar with the old temple. Temple life would have been deeply valuable to Ezekiel, so it makes sense that God would wrap the restoration of Israel in the context of a symbolically “perfect” temple.

But let’s look at the text… This video is especially helpful in picturing the temple as Ezekiel describes it in Chapter 40. Just a word of caution… this is one person’s visual interpretation. It is helpful, but not authoritative :)

Moving on to Acts 16, we read of the beginning of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey where the text describes another vision! In this case, God used the vision to direct Paul to preach the gospel in far-away Europe. So Paul obeyed, traveling north into the Roman colony of Philippi. Philippi was so far removed from Jewish culture that there wasn’t even a Jewish temple! Undeterred, Paul and his companions approached a group of women who were praying by a riverside.

From a human perspective, this makes no sense. Why go north to Philippi instead of south to more familiar territory? Why approach women instead of the influential men of the city? But God’s ways are not our ways.

God planned for the first convert in Europe to be an ordinary woman named Lydia. The church in Philippi started in her house and grew to be a major influence in the region. The influence of the church in Philippi ripples to this day as we are instructed by the letter that Paul wrote to the Philippian church.

God used Paul’s obedience in the face of ambiguity to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth! Has God ever asked something of you that didn’t make earthly sense?? I have found that obedience in the face of ambiguity brings about the richest blessings. May we have the faith to follow Jesus… wherever He may lead!

Day 177: Opposition, pt. 2

Jeremiah 42-45; Acts 4:23-31

Yesterday, we learned of the opposition facing Jeremiah, the proclaimer of God’s will to the people and also the rising opposition against Peter, John and the apostles.

In today’s reading, the Judaens who were left after the murder of Gedalia, Babylonian governor of Judah, came to Jeremiah and asked him to inquire of the Lord as to what they should do. Jeremiah tells them… (and I paraphrase), “WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT GO TO EGYPT!!! Stay in Judah, and God will continue to protect and provide for you, but DO NOT GO TO EGYPT, OR ELSE YOU WILL DIE!”

So they went to Egypt.

Poor Jeremiah… He was dragged away by the apostate people he had loved and ministered to so faithfully. He was dragged to Egypt to watch the last of the Judeans perish.

But what of Peter and John? Their first response in the face of opposition was prayer…

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30).

Boom. That’s what you do in the face of opposition. You obey. And when you pray, you ask God to help you obey.

We can learn so much from these two scenes… What happened to the Judeans when they refused to listen to God’s word and rationalized their disobedience by calling Jeremiah a liar??? …they were destroyed in Egypt. Utter destruction is the final end of disobedience.

Whereas obedience leads to life. In Acts, the faith and obedience of Peter, John and the others resulted in the multiplication of the Kingdom, the expansion of the church, the increase of new converts. In other words, their obedience changed the world!

Bottomline: Disobedience leads to death. Obedience leads to life. Which do you choose?