Wednesday, 20th April 2022
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
The things happened in Isaiah’s time are also happening in our generation. God was talking to His people through prophet Isaiah, in the same way, He is also talking to us through the Book of Isaiah. Everything happening around the world affects us, therefore we must broaden our viewpoint, see further, and have the eyesight of the Father, instead of only looking at our own problems in front of us.
Somehow, we have lost the authority to overcome the world, we compromise with the things happening in the world, we chose to live with the virus, to allow the economic breakdown, to accept the status quo… in this dark time, full of confusion and darkness, can we live out the life for God? Is God really in our lives? What is the image we represent in front of people? Do we still have the joy in precaution? Do we show the glory of God even when we are tired? When we offer our lives for God, we must put God first, let God come into every perspective of our lives.
When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, what did they rely on? They rejected God and hid in the Garden. Does God not know they had sinned? What is our reaction when we make mistakes? God is always there but people tend to seek the world for help. David was able to have an intimidate relationship with God even in his darkest time, do we have the same attitude to face our current situations? If God is in our lives, then people can definitely see! Being the light and the salt of the world is not just about giving money to the poor or doing community service to the needy, but most importantly, we must witness God and testify for God in everything we do!
The Israelites were facing many enemies, such as the Assyrians and the Syrians, during Isaiah’s time, but what was their attitude towards these enemies? They are the chosen people, God is there to help, but how did they represent themselves as the people of God? Today we are facing the same problem, we are the followers of Christ, we are the ones being called, and today’s chapter is our wake-up call, to remind us to examine ourselves and see how we represent God and live out the fragrance of the Tree of Life.
Section One V1-6 God Disciplines Unrighteous People
V1-2 ‘Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.’ At the beginning of the chapter, God is talking to the Israelites, ‘woe to you’! God is calling His people to return, to stop boasting about themselves and to start showing love and acceptance to those who are in need. We are the unrighteous people, because we only see our own needs and we only care about our own gains. Things outside of our social circles seem to be unrelated to us, but God wants us to have a bigger appetite for Him, to step out of our comfort zone to preach His Word, and to expand our territory to testify for Him. If we don’t move, then we become the unrighteous, and God will discipline.
V3-4 ‘What will you do in the day of punishment, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory? Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, and they shall fall among the slain.’ As the people of God, we must hold onto the authority and positions given by God, the world continues to put us down, but we can stand firm and hold the authority of God to rebuke the enemy. On the other hand, if we chose to hide ourselves and not do anything, then God will discipline us.
Section Two V7-19 God Takes Over Prideful People
When people praise us, what is our reaction? It’s easy for people to see how hard we work, but slowly we have hidden the glory of God, when God is no longer in our lives, then God will take over. There are so many Christian believers and leaders backslid because they focus too much on their own achievements, they find comfort in the world, and they find satisfaction in the praises of people. We must see ourselves as the vessels of God, everything we can do and everything we have done is from God, not from ourselves.
V15-16 ‘Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood! Therefore the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send leanness among his fat ones; and under His glory He will kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.’ Boasting about ourselves will only lead to destruction. Eventually God will take over the world, do we want to be on His side?
Section Three V20-34 God Saves Those Who Arises
V25-26 ‘For yet a very little while and the indignation will cease, as will My anger in their destruction. And the Lord of hosts will stir up a scourge for him like the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb; as His rod was on the sea, so will He lift it up in the manner of Egypt.’ God rules over everything. When we face difficulties, what do we really believe in? Do we really walk with God and let God come into our lives? We need His Light every day, we need His presence to be in every aspect of our lives. Let us return our ways and arise for God.