Read: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2
God was gathering his people back to Jerusalem from Babylon and wherever they had been dispersed. It was not a time to dwell on the past and all their sadness and regrets. It was a time to look forward to what God was doing then. He was doing something he had never done before and he did not want them to miss it.
Nothing they had done had pleased the Lord because their hearts had been so far from God. God dealt with his rebellious ones but saved a remnant and they were the remnant. God was going to blot out all their offenses and choose to forget all their sins. He was going to pour out his Spirit on their descendants and bless their offspring. They would grow up knowing that God was their father and they belonged to him.
Isaiah gave the example of wood to show the folly of man’s understanding apart from God. With one piece of a tree they cut for firewood and it kept them warm in the winter. With another they carved it into an image and bowed down to it as if it had power. It was utterly ridiculous and silly but that is the way of deception. Why would a person worship a piece of bark when they could worship the one who made the tree. Truly men’s eyes are blinded to the truth when the truth makes much more sense than the lie.
God called the people of Israel and gave them a title of honor though they didn’t acknowledge him. He also strengthened them to show the world that their was no other god besides the Lord.
In Ephesians Paul explains one of the mysteries of God’s grace. It was that the Gentiles were also heirs together with Israel. This mystery was not made known to other generations but now it was being revealed. Paul was privileged to be one of the ones to bring this good news to the Gentiles and invite them into the family. Through the Church, God would show his wisdom to the heavenly rulers and authorities. That is an awesome thought!
Our sufferings are all for God’s glory. God’s love for us surpasses our ability to understand. What he has planned for us goes beyond what we can even imagine.
Lord, may we join in the Psalms and sing praise to your name and be joyful in You.
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