Thursday, July 01, 2010

2010 – July 1 – Global Sovereignty

Blogger's Note: I continue on with my commitment to read through the Bible in a year, using Dr. LaGard Smith's, edited, The Daily Bible in Chronological Order. And I must say that this decision/discipline, as well as using his book, The Daily Bible Devotional, has taken me deeper into God's truth, especially with regard to its application to my life, than I certianly imagined. And I'm humbled/honored that a few have decided to come along with me by reading my journal entries here. May we all be blessed by God's truth. ... <'BB><

======================

Study from God’s Word Isaiah 34: 1-4; Isaiah 14: 24 – 27; Is 15: 1-9; Is 16: 6-14; Is 17: 1-14 … Passage for Reflection: Isaiah 14: 26 – 27 … NIV 26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. 27 For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

My Journal for Today: I am caught up short by conviction and reflection on today’s entry by Dr. Smith. First I read the suggested text passages – today in the Book of Isaiah – which reflect on how God was to intervene in the affairs of mankind in the time of Isaiah, the Prophet, who projected God’s word to the people about God’s sovereignty over the entire world, over all the nations [read today’s passage].

You know, LaGard Smith is right, national sovereignty is a big deal; and not a day goes by in which we don’t likely read something in the news about how borders are being challenged, breached, or how they need to be protected against invaders or illegal aliens. The nations of the world have become politically paranoid as to their sovereignty; and we seem to be constantly dealing with “brinksmanship” with regard to what we – America - should do as the nations of the earth exercise their political sovereignty muscles in the world games of politics.

But think about it. In the Old Testament, as in this Book of Isaiah and today’s highlight passage, we read that God was constantly moving and maneuvering in the plans and processes of nations; and He exercised total sovereignty over the world He created and the people who were allowed to occupy His world. Read again today’s highlight passage where Isaiah prophesied God’s control over His (the Lord’s) world; and then think on the God you worship and serve … TODAY.

Is God today in any less in control than He was when Isaiah prophesied the words from God’s Spirit, spoken at the time in history when they were written into our Bible? If you believe as I do, that God [i.e., my Lord, Jesus] is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (see Hebrews 13: 8) then we must believe – and declare – that God is just as sovereign over nations and the events of history being shaped in the headlines of today as He was in the times of Isaiah; and God certainly loves His people (i.e., you and me) just as much today as He loved His disobedient children about whom we read of in the times of Isaiah.

And that truth has caused me to take note of my own attitude about God and what is going on in today’s world. And it was Dr. Smith’s self examination question which brought me up short today, looking into my life from the mirror of God’s truth, as Dr. Smith asked me to ask myself, ”When I vehemently disagree with how political affairs are being handled, [and I most certainly do!] am I railing against God’s will?

Ouch! … Double OUCH!! … Oh, how I gripe and moan about how the world seems to be falling apart around me (us); and I do so often carry on about what the President and Congress are doing – or not doing – about things for which I vehemently disagree with their decisions/actions. But now I realize that God is just as much in control of the affairs of man as He was during the dreadful times of disobedience I’m reading about in the Book of Isaiah. And my God, especially evidenced in the death and resurrection of Jesus, my Savior, is just as much in control of the events of history today as He was in Isaiah’s day. So, this now causes me to realize that God’s plan and His will are being worked out in my life TODAY; and I need to see my SOVEREIGN GOD doing His thing in the workings of history today.

And, even more so, I need to be thankful for that reality and seeking where/how I can be part of God’s sovereign plan, especially where His plan involves me, my attitudes, my worship (i.e., my life for Him), and my service.

My Prayer for Today: Lord, help me to realize that You are TOTALLY in control and that You desire for me to be a part of YOUR history as it unfolds in my life. Amen

No comments: