Isaiah 49:1-5 (KJV)
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
I came into contact with two friends of my past today. Though I still count both of them friends, they have each chosen a path unlike the one we once walked together; a path of believing simple, fundamental Bible doctrine and practice.
One of those friends has chosen a path of progressivism
They did not quit church. They just now do church in a wholly different way. Their church, though apparently filled with people, is dark, worldly looking and popular in current Christian circles. The appearance of their platform is more similar to a rock stage than an old fashioned pulpit.
They did not quit church. They just now do church in a wholly different way. Their church, though apparently filled with people, is dark, worldly looking and popular in current Christian circles. The appearance of their platform is more similar to a rock stage than an old fashioned pulpit.
My other friend has chosen a path less Christianized
Though this friend would deny they have abandoned the faith once delivered. They have set their sites now on something that is outside of Christian thinking.
Though this friend would deny they have abandoned the faith once delivered. They have set their sites now on something that is outside of Christian thinking.
One of those friends recently described what I think is the thing that led them both away from that path we once all walked, peace. This friend said that they now have a peace and a sense of joy that they are not sure they ever had before.
But, I thought, God gives peace and joy?
Isaiah, I think, knew something of the struggle both of my friends endured. It is, by the way, a struggle I endure and one all believers experience. Isaiah felt like he labored in vain. He felt like he was unsuccessful. He felt like he did as God led but he did it with little fruit.
One of my friends handled their struggle by embracing a sort of Christianity that could make them feel successful.
I do not believe they are successful. I would simply call their work wood, hay and stubble.
I do not believe they are successful. I would simply call their work wood, hay and stubble.
The other friend handled their struggle by giving up.
Rather than pursuing God, they chose to pursue peace and joy. What’s more, they chose to pursue it without God.
Rather than pursuing God, they chose to pursue peace and joy. What’s more, they chose to pursue it without God.
And my struggle?
I choose to handle it as Isaiah did. Isaiah chose to please the Lord, not men and not even self. Isaiah chose to let God be his strength. God help me do the same.
I choose to handle it as Isaiah did. Isaiah chose to please the Lord, not men and not even self. Isaiah chose to let God be his strength. God help me do the same.
To my readers:
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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Isaiah 49:1-5 (KJV) The Struggle of Faith
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