Remember the Former Things
Isaiah 46:8–13
“Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from My righteousness. I am bringing My righteousness near, it is not far away; and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel.
God wants us to remember the former things (v. 8), remember His faithfulness in our lives, in our personal history, make notes of it, create your testimony, commit it to paper, it will be encouraging to ourselves and others when we are called to witness. Let us realise in our hearts that God is one and only, there is indeed none like Him (v. 9). Let us learn from the mistakes of Israel, as Nehemiah recalled, “they refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them (Neh 9:16–17).” Recall the times of evident intervention of God, when you were rescued like being taken swiftly by a helicopter in rough seas or by an eagle swooping down and lifting you up from a mire of troubles, stories of your experiences of liberation from sin, from need, from frustration, from disease, from pride, from self-defeat, from unhealthy relationships, and from meaninglessness and lack of purpose. Stories of overcoming even of our own help us see beyond ourselves and look to God, and praise, “who among the gods is like You, LORD? Who is like You— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders (Exo 15:11)?” When we are reminded of God’s goodness, power, love, and grace, we will be at peace amidst the chaos we observe around us. The LORD said, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” He has overcome death that ruled this life, centuries upon centuries of destruction and decay, which we still see today, but now we have the blessed hope that is in the Resurrection of Christ Jesus. He empowers us to be victorious and encourages us to help others by our witness, our stories of victory and freedom in Christ. And in the end, we will meet Him again, and we await the fulfilment of His promise, “to the one who is victorious, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (Rev 3:21).” Amen LORD, help us today and every day!
“Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from My righteousness. I am bringing My righteousness near, it is not far away; and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel.
God wants us to remember the former things (v. 8), remember His faithfulness in our lives, in our personal history, make notes of it, create your testimony, commit it to paper, it will be encouraging to ourselves and others when we are called to witness. Let us realise in our hearts that God is one and only, there is indeed none like Him (v. 9). Let us learn from the mistakes of Israel, as Nehemiah recalled, “they refused to listen, and did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them (Neh 9:16–17).” Recall the times of evident intervention of God, when you were rescued like being taken swiftly by a helicopter in rough seas or by an eagle swooping down and lifting you up from a mire of troubles, stories of your experiences of liberation from sin, from need, from frustration, from disease, from pride, from self-defeat, from unhealthy relationships, and from meaninglessness and lack of purpose. Stories of overcoming even of our own help us see beyond ourselves and look to God, and praise, “who among the gods is like You, LORD? Who is like You— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders (Exo 15:11)?” When we are reminded of God’s goodness, power, love, and grace, we will be at peace amidst the chaos we observe around us. The LORD said, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).” He has overcome death that ruled this life, centuries upon centuries of destruction and decay, which we still see today, but now we have the blessed hope that is in the Resurrection of Christ Jesus. He empowers us to be victorious and encourages us to help others by our witness, our stories of victory and freedom in Christ. And in the end, we will meet Him again, and we await the fulfilment of His promise, “to the one who is victorious, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne (Rev 3:21).” Amen LORD, help us today and every day!
Comments
Post a Comment