Walking in the light of the Lord is so much more than how we behave in Church…or what we say, or don’t say around the Pastor…or how we can quote Scripture at Bible Study. No, walking in the light of the Lord is more a lifestyle…a way of life of putting others before ourselves, of speaking truth and wisdom in difficult situations, and of doing the right thing…even when no one else is looking. Rather, walking in the light of the Lord is manifesting the enlightenment of the knowledge of God into everyday living for His glory.
Tag: isaiah
Isaiah 63:7 ” I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us – yes, the many good things He has done for the house of Israel, according to His compassion and many kindnesses.”
This verse starts out with the words, “I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord”. The Hebrew word for “tell” here has two definitions – the first being to remember or reflect upon, the second being to declare or proclaim. When we stop and reflect upon just how much the Lord has done for us…how many good things He has provided…how merciful and kind He has been towards us – how can we not want to share with others this love? Ephesians 2:4 tells us, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” It is only by that unwarranted, unmerited love of God you are the person you are today through Him.
Isaiah 1:5-6 ” …Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart affected. From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness – only wounds and welts and open sores…”
Why do you persist in rebellion? Great question, right? We stubbornly continue down paths of disobedience and willful defiance against God…knowing full well, it’s only hurting ourselves. And if we think about it…most of the injuries we receive are self-inflicted because of the foolish choices we make. Jeremiah 30:17 says, “I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the Lord.” Disobedience causes unsoundness within us. But God wants to come and restore us back to health…returning us to wholeness and peace.
Isaiah 43:18 ” Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
A victim mindset builds an altar to all the bad things that have happened and worships there…harping on the past and paying more attention to it than to the future. A victim mindset is put in place early on when others show sympathy, so we continue to seek that support and favor…using our past to gain attention. Soon we are defined only by our past…and not of how God is moving in our present. A victim mindset chains us to the past… never able to move ahead, and break free. For every time those old hurtful memories are brought up and dwelled upon…we’re victimized again.
Isaiah 26:7 ” The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, You make the way of the righteous smooth.”
Elsewhere, Isaiah talks about God making the rough ground level, (Isaiah 40:4) and safely leading the Believer along unfamiliar paths, (Isaiah 42:16). If we allow Him, the Lord will make the crooked, straight…the rough, smooth…and the misunderstood, grasped. Our way in this life is a constant journey on a little understood, bumpy path…where we are required to make decisions that can affect our life forever. But when we allow the Lord to guide us…He will show us the most excellent way to go.
I Samuel 2:8 ” For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; upon them He has set the world.”
Before there was anything…there was God. Before the world even began, God laid the groundwork…the foundation, and created everything…out of nothing. And once the foundation was laid, He placed the world in the universe. To help Job realize that God’s ways are far above man’s, the Lord asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) But probably one of the most well-known Messianic prophecies found in Isaiah 28:16, speaks of the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. For without a firm foundation, the house will crumble…but without the sure foundation of Jesus, our life will crumble.
Isaiah 29:15 ” Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us? Who will know?’ “
Humans have always rationalized and hidden things they’re not comfortable about everyone knowing. We recognize that what we’re doing is wrong, but we say to ourselves, “What I do in the privacy of my own home is my business…it doesn’t hurt anyone, so why should it matter?!” We even brazenly think we can get away with the sin and won’t get caught. But it does matter…For every evil action will affect someone negatively somehow…every scheme of wickedness done in the realm of darkness will eventually be found out…it’s just a matter of time.
Isaiah 1:17 ” Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!”
The Lord is rather emphatic here…stop doing things that are contrary to His will. Rather, practice what is morally good. So just how do we learn to do right? The Bible tells us that the starting point of knowledge is the fear of the Lord…so accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior is that first step. We then start the journey of learning who Jesus is…discovering the plan and purpose He has for us…and adding to our knowledge with daily Bible study and application. Learning to do right is a life-long study of becoming more like Jesus every day.
Isaiah 6:5 ” Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips…”
In the presence of God, Isaiah realized instantaneously his sin of impure language. In that moment of God’s presence, there’s never any vague, broad sense of sin…rather the Lord will laser focus in on some specific personal area of your life you need to change. Your attention will be directed to it, followed by conviction to take personal responsibility and confess the sin to Him…followed by you acknowledging your need for forgiveness.
Isaiah 40:8 ” The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God stands forever.”
Our Lord is everlasting, eternal, and forever…and so is His Word. Every word, command, and promise within the Bible was true at its conception…is true today…and will remain true into eternity. The tremendous power within the Word is found in Isaiah 55:11 where it says, “So is My Word that goes out from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” So we can then stand firm, putting our faith and trust in His Word…knowing that His plan and purpose is being fulfilled in our life.
Safetypinlove 