Our challenge, when depressed, is to be suspicious of this message of misery and hopelessness. Things are not always as they feel. Depression can identify the troubles of life, but it can be blind to the work of Christ and the possibilities of faith, hope, and love.
– Ed Welch in TableTalk
In Isaiah 44-48, God predicts the coming of a king named Cyrus who will defeat the Babylonian empire and allow the people of Israel to return to their land.
And around 200 years later, Cyrus comes, defeats the Babylonians, and allows Israel to return to their land.
God predicts and brings it to pass – that we might believe.
In Isaiah 49, God predicts the coming of His Servant whose words will be like a sharp sword, who will glorify God, and who will labor in vain. This Servant will gather the people of Israel and be a light to the nations. He will be both despised and honored. He will be a covenant for the people.
And around 600 years later, Jesus comes. His words are like a sword that pierce the heart. He lived for God’s glory. He labored among the people, but many didn’t understand or accept him. He gathered many in Israel, and his gospel has spread to the nations. He was despised by rulers, and yet will one day be honored by all. He is a new covenant through whom we can have a relationship with God.
God predicts and brings it to pass – that we might believe.
Cyrus and Jesus came just like God said they would, and they did just what God said they would do. And because God predicts and brings it to pass, our faith is strengthened. We have reason to believe in the one true God. We need not doubt. We need not chase after idols. We can trust Him with our lives. We can trust Him with our future.
God predicts and brings it to pass – that we might believe.
Here are some good (and challenging) posts for your weekend reading:
Rejoicing in Lament – Mike Wittmer
Answering “No” To One Of These Questions Will Kill Your Evangelism – Trevin Wax
How Memorization Feeds Your Imagination – Joe Carter (TGC)
What Do You Really Want Your Church To Be Known For? – Mark Altrgogge
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating your Savior with your local church!
– Charles Spurgeon
Only as we fear God will we submit to the trials He sends or allows. And only as we deeply apprehend his love for us in Christ will we find the courage to bear up under them.
– Jerry Bridges in The Fruitful Life
Amazing grace – he draws us near
Though we are slow to learn
We’re slow to see and slow to hear
His law and love we spurn
Our God will do what he declares
So that we might believe
And patiently our sins he bears
Our praises to receive
Our redemption he will perform
With joy let us proclaim
He teaches us – let us conform
And praise His holy name
– From a sermon on Isaiah 48
(To the tune of the “Amazing Grace”)
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Hopelessness and Hope of the Greatest Commandments – Jon Bloom (DG)
The Most Glorious Cure – Kevin DeYoung
12 Questions To Ask When Viewing a Film – John Frame (via Justin Taylor)
God Wants His Children To Enjoy Creation – David Murray (DG)
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
Here are some helpful posts on the ISIS:
What ISIS Really Wants – Graeme Wood (The Atlantic)
A detailed look at the Islamic State.
FAQs: Islamic State Beheads 21 Egyptian Christians in Libya – Joe Carter (TGC)
Some helpful background.
A Biblical Meditation on the ISIS Execution of 21 Christians – Tom Schreiner (TGC)
How the church should respond.
Praise to the Lord – the God who’s true
Rest in his care – He’ll carry you
Believe in Him – His counsel stands
He’s first – submit to his commands
– From a sermon on Isaiah 46-47
(To the tune of the “Doxology”)
When ministers of the gospel faithfully preach the Word of God and focus upon the person and work of Christ, the same power that brought worlds into existence is unleashed upon the people of God in corporate worship.
– J. V. Fesko in The Fruit of the Spirit Is…
Brian J. Mikul 