Isaiah 42 -- Humbling For Not Just Israel, But For Us As Well

Hearing God speak about the characteristics of His Son reminds me of just how often I fail to look like Him:

“He will not cry out or yell or speak loudly in the streets.  He will not break a crushed blade of grass or put out even a weak flame.  He will truly bring justice; He will not lose hope or give up until He brings justice to the world.”

Father, remind me when things get heated to react as Jesus would react.  Remind me not to further damage a crushed blade of grass that represents someone You care about deeply.  Father, You personally start the spark of belief in each of our souls.  Help me not to extinguish that spark by anything I might carelessly or wrongly say.  Don’t let me lose hope when I fail You again and again.  Help me never to give up trying my hardest to obey.

As I read the rest of this chapter, I was overwhelmed by God’s majesty and sovereignty and of how I often let my selfishness and pride lead me to dare to question Him about His plans for my life.

“I am the Lord.  That is My name.  I will not give My glory to another; I will not let idols take the praise that should be Mine…  For a long time I have said nothing;  I have been quiet and held Myself back.  But now I will cry out … You have seen much, but You have not OBEYED.  You hear, but you refuse to LISTEN … We sinned against Him.  We did not live the way He wanted us to live and did not OBEY His teaching … It was as if they had fire all around them, but they didn’t KNOW what was happening.  It was as if they were burning, but they didn’t pay any attention.”

Father, forgive me for putting anything else in my life ahead of You.  That would make it an idol for me, and nothing deserves praise that should only come to You.  Forgive me for not giving You all the glory You are due.  You have been more than kind and loving, holding off Your anger when I fail You.  You have shown me much light, and I am responsible for what You’ve shown me.  That makes obedience all the more important, and my failure to obey all the more grievous.  Please heighten my awareness of sin in my life, just as You heightened my awareness of the wildfires around us yesterday.  Help me to pay attention to sin and not to ever dismiss it, for You take disobedience very seriously.  Thank You for so lovingly showing me this today, reminding me that You are God and that I can never offer excuses, only requests for forgiveness.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford