Saturday, October 25, 2008

That Day is Now

I am studying in Isaiah now. Amazing stuff. Look at 7:14, 9:6 and tell me that the Bible is not absolute truth coming from the mouth of God. You would have to be blind to not see the truth. It is amazing how Jesus was prophesied 500 years before He ever came on the scene.

Anyway, I just got done writing about how our country may be experiencing the result of turning our back on God, much like in Daniel. It is going to be interesting to see what happens in the next four years. Hang on to your hats.

Now for some encouraging stuff from Isaiah.

Is 12 - Wow! What a great chapter. I am going to have to deal with it one verse at a time!
v1 - "And in that day you will say: 'O Lord, I will praise You . Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away and You comfort me.'"

This is the coolest stuff because it is really pulsating with the heart of God. What is He really like? What does He do with sin? What does He do with rebellion against Him? What does He do when we violate His character? He gets angry. Yes, God gets angry and His anger is justified. We kick Him in the teeth and we expect Him to like it? To turn away and ignore it? We totally violate what He tells us to do (and He tells us what to do out of His love and concern for us) and we spurn that love. We say: "Got out of my face." What do we want God to do? Say: "Oh, that's OK...no big deal"? Come on! Give God some credit. His anger is right.

But then look, He really does not want to stay angry. He really wants to turn from anger. He want to restore and refresh (the actual meaning of turn away). This is His heart. He wants our fellowship. He craves for our love. And He will forgive, and believe it or not, He will forget. Then what? He does the coolest thing. In the middle of us beating ourselves up, He comforts us. He consoles us. He has compassion on us. Amazing. He is there to forgive and comfort...and we don't deserve any of it.

No wonder Isaiah says that in that day (actually the day is when Israel is restored, but it can happen to us now.) in that day we will praise Him. In that day we will give Him thanks. In that day we will confess the Name of God.

That day is now.

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