Apply your heart to instruction and discipline,

....    And your ears to words of knowledge  (Proverbs 23:12). When the Lord sent Isaiah to backsliding Israel,  He told them “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed” (Isaiah 6:10). Note that the heart and the ears are mentioned in both quotations, and that the Isiah passage helps us to understand both what it means and what it does not mean to apply our hearts to instruction and our ears to knowledge. A dull heart is one that is reluctant to embrace instruction, discipline and correction. A heavy ear is one that hears only what it wants to hear.

Behind the last part of the Isiah quote is the implication that dull hearts and heavy ears lead to the need of our being healed. In other words there are negative consequences to our rebellion (see Galatians 6:7). The next verse in the  Proverbs reference commands correction not to be withheld from a child. Elsewhere we read that he who withholds discipline hates the child (Proverbs 13:24). The point is that if we don't heed instruction and discipline in our youth, we will have to learn it in adulthood. And the consequences of our adult rebellion are likely much more severe than the consequences of childhood rebellion. Many of us have learnt this truth the hard way, from the school of hard knocks.

In Proverbs 3:7 and 8 we read “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” In other words, putting all this together,  if we are applying our ears to words of knowledge we will see that the words are there for our provision and protection. On the other hand, applying our hearts to instruction and discipline,  is about putting our heart into seeking understanding, and doing it proactively. Interestingly twelve-step programs lead us this way through these things. Those of us who do this have found in the process, that there are many hidden things that trip us up. They are hidden for various reasons from our understating. And we cannot turn and be healed if we are not willing to seek them out and expose them in our lives.

Lord Jesus, You told us that You came to heal the broken hearted and to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). There are many exceedingly great and precious promises that enable us to get there, but they are not automatic. Again Lord, you tells us not to be sluggish but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (Hebrews 6:12). I don't want to be a casual Christian Lord, so please help me (us) to put our heart, mind, soul and strength into these things. We thank You in advance for the results (the abundant life),  and we give You the glory in Your precious Name Amen


My heart is steadfast, O God

.... my heart is steadfast (Psalm 57:7). The context of this Psalm is of David hiding in a cave from King Saul who was seeking his life. In the first verse of the Psalm he cries out “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.” The difficulties of life are crossroads for the believer. You and I can give into fear, anger or offence, or we can turn to God in trust. David is not in denial about his situation, like the proverbial ostrich hiding his head in the sand. Speaking poetically he tells God that his soul is among lions, and that their teeth are spears and arrows (verse 4). Yet twice in this short Psalm he also declares “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be over all the earth” (5, 11). The first time he does this,  is immediately after, as said above, he has faced the reality of his situation.

Praising God is not the natural man's response to troubles.  However after choosing to trust, and then proclaiming His faithfulness (verses 1, 2) it is David's determined act of faith. Such a response is not based on feelings, for at such times not one of us would likely feel like praising God. We don't feel our way into action however, that's not the way it works. Rather, we act our way into feelings. Such action is not pretending. God is faithful and merciful, righteous and holy,  independent of our feelings. In other words He is worthy of praise whether we feel like it or not. And so when we choose to praise in the midst of our trials,  we are practicing living in the truth. It seems to me,  that choosing to worship Him in our pain, is part of what it means to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  

Concerning acting our way into feelings, it is after praising God that David speaks this morning's title verse.  It is by our determined action to respond in faith to all that occurs,  that our hearts become steadfast. Isaiah cries out “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).  At the risk of being overly repetitious,  it is a choice to keep our minds and hearts steadfastly fixed on the One who is able to deliver, on the One who “performs all things for me” (verse 2b). It is also a choice to allow ourselves to be swayed, offended or tripped up by circumstances, or by things not going our way!  

Father, we tend to say things like “he made me mad!” It's an excuse to blame our choice to respond in anger or offence,  on the actions of others. We are not responsible for the wrong done to us, but we are responsible for our response to it. We need Your help Father, to stop blaming others and,  after having poured out our complaint to You (Psalm 142:2), to turn to You in praise. And so we say with David this morning “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be over all the earth” in Jesus Name Amen

In God I have put my trust;

.... I will not be afraid. What can man do to me (Psalm 56:11)? It was not that David was not aware of what man could do to him. In verses 1 and 2 he declares that man would swallow him up, that there are many who fight against him, and that fighting all day his enemies oppress him. David however determines in his heart that “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (verse 3). So again, it is not that David is never afraid, rather it is that he will not give into it. And how he does that is that he replaces his fear by choosing to trust in God.  In verse 9 he tells the Lord “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.”

Though David experienced the deliverance of the Lord numerous times, they were far from instantaneous. During those times, David  clung to the thought that God is for him. He would strengthen himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6), and this enabled him through faith and patience to endure,  and to wait patiently for Him to act.  Now Paul tells us that “everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures,  and the encouragement they provide,  we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

So when David asks himself (three times in this passage) “What can man do to me?” He casts it off.  Jesus instructs similarly saying “do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him (Luke 12:4, 5). Related to this we read in Isaiah 51:12 "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass” (Isaiah 51:12)?

Father, Paul asks “If God be for us, who can be against us?” After all it is You who delivered up Your Son for our justification. And when we shun fear and put our trust in You, then with Your help Lord we are not just conquerors,  we are more than conquerors through You who love us (Romans 8:31-37). Help us Lord, to see all of these things as opportunities to trust You and grow in wisdom and faith. Help us Lord each time fear rears it ugly head to choose to trust in You. And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen
 

For unto us a Child is born,

... Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peaceThere will be no end (Isaiah 9:6, 7a). Both Christian and the early Jewish commentators see this passage referring to the then coming messiah. Post Christ Jewish commentators have sought to explain this away identifying the son as Hezekiah. It won't wash, the given description can apply to no mere man! So much orthodox Christian theology as well as mystery, is tied up in these few Old Testament lines, but also in the wider context of the book of Isaiah. We see here, for example, the dual nature of Christ.  As a child born,  He took on flesh, becoming fully human, yet He is almighty God. The mystery of the trinity is here too, one of the names of the child born,  the son given,  is the everlasting Father.  

Eschatology, the study of the last days and of everlasting righteousness and peace,  is also here. Everlasting peace cannot be accomplished without God intervening with His governmental authority. And it rests on the shoulders of Messiah. It is interesting that the context of this passage is of judgement (verse 14), so clearly if His reign is to be a reign of peace,  He has to separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32).  Note too, that “the Son given” is a gift. For God so loved the World that He gave His one and only Son that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  And for those who have eyes to see “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (verse 2a).

So yes there is judgement, but also there is mercy “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (1:18). And it is relationship that He seeks.  As Wonderful counselor He is Holy Spirit, coming   along side to comfort and council. As the Father He is the one who adopts us, gives us the spirit of adoption and causes us to cry out “Abba, Daddy, Father” (Romans 8:15).  As the everlasting Father, the son is from everlasting to everlasting.  And though He was crucified in time, He was also “slain before the foundation of the World” (Revelation 3:18).  As this, as I say is orthodox Christian theology which we often seem to forget, is swept in mystery.  To those inside has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. And with  twenty twenty hind-site it is clear (or should I say somewhat clear). However those outside “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive” (6:9).

Father, I am caused to wonder again this morning at the amazing details of Your plan of salvation. Do I understand it all?  Well Father if I did I would be God and I am not. But Lord with all this mystery it is no wonder that the wisdom of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.  Thank You Lord that by the “foolishness” of preaching You found me and rescued me. And I ask Lord that You give me the grace to live truth,  so although they may not understand, nevertheless they will want what I have. And I will give Your glory in Jesus Name Amen

Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?

....  Then I said, “Here am I! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah had just had a dramatic encounter with the Lord. He had seen the Him high and lifted up, and His train had filled the temple. The vision, if that is what it was, included seraphim  crying out that the Lord is holy, their voices causing the foundations of the temple to shake (verses 1-4). Isaiah himself was greatly shaken and confesses “I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips” (verse 5).  One of the seraphim brings a live coal from the alter,  and with it touches Isiah's lips declaring him clean.  The awareness of our sin and that of the culture,  is inevitable in any encounter with the Lord. And when we encounter the Lord without (or before),  He has cleansed us, we too would cry out with Isaiah “Woe is me, I am undone” (verse 5). But thank God,  that when we confess our sin, He is faithful not only to forgive us, but also to cleanse us (1 John 1:9)!

His sin, having been dealt with,  the Lord commissions Isaiah,  inviting him into his destiny with this morning's verse. And also like Isaiah,  we are not saved so we can sit around on clouds playing harps. And while we are not saved by good works, we are called and commissioned unto them (Ephesians 2:8-10). The tender mercies of our God are great, forgiving us of our sin,  cleaning us and assuring us of a place in heaven.  Such tender mercies should motivate us to present our very lives as living sacrifices. This is both our spiritual worship, and the only reasonable response to them (Romans 12:1 AMP).

The callings and commissionings of God are not cake walks. Isaiah was told that the people to whom he was called to prophecy, would not hear him (verses 9-13).  Not that much has changed in several thousand years. Concerning spiritual truths neither then nor now, do people see with their eyes, hear with their ears or understand with their hearts (verse 10). Nevertheless “how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them” (Romans 10:14)? And I am hearing the renewed call from the Lord this morning “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” The “us” of course is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit here am I, cleanse me, refine me,  send me and use me.  I cannot do this without You Lord. I need Your help to be the ongoing living sacrifice to which You invite me. Thank You Lord that the commissioning also comes with the grace, the wherewithal to carry it out. Give me, give us the tenacity, the boldness and the wisdom to be Your hands and feet in the midst of this wicked and crooked generation among whom, with Your help we are to shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15). But also Lord give us overcoming joy in the midst of it all. And we will give You the Glory in Your precious Name Amen

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil

.... Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And shrewd in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20, 21)!  I have heard it said that the Kingdom of God is the upside down Kingdom, the first shall be last,  and    he who humbles himself shall be exalted etc., etc.  But really, it's the Kingdoms of this world that are wrong side up, and the thinking of the world is bound up in foolishness rather than wisdom. The world,  by its wisdom, does not know God (1 Corinthians 1:21), and truth is suppressed  by unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

There are times when the Bible seems to read like today's newspaper, for the news media has,  by and large,  turned into the propaganda of the world that justifies wrong and vilifies right.  Traditional values are under attack, masculinity is said to be toxic, the family unit, the very basis of the stability of a culture,  is being dismantled. If a parent does not affirm the gender confusion of a child, that parent is in grave danger of the child being taken away by the government!  Never mind that all this contradicts science, and that research shows that the majority of those with this kind of confusion grow out of it.  But no,  all these things must bow at the alter of the politically correct. And should we dare to object to any of it,  we are described as phobic  hate mongers.  But then Jesus said “if they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20). And in case you're not sure, they did persecute Him!

How are we to respond?  Well, if we are to follow Jesus,  we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We need to remember we too were once His enemies, but that He reconciled us through His death on the cross (Romans 5:10). And if we are to love those He is seeking to win,  we need to see that there are many “woes” that are coming to the lost.  We are to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44 again). Paul puts it this way “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Notice in particular,  that these who exchange the truth of God for a lie are prisoners of the Evil one. And if we are to love them, we need to pray for their freedom. This is why Jesus came   (Luke 4:18).

Father,  the accusations of hate and fear by the church are not without  validity. We repent of these things Lord for ourselves,  and on behalf of the church. We claim the promise Lord that if Your people who are called by Your name will humble themselves, and pray,  seek Your  face, and turn from our wicked ways, You  will hear from heaven, and will forgive our sin and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Help us diligently to do our part Lord,  and we give You the glory in advance Lord,  for healing the land in Jesus Name Amen

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves

.... with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12). Paul, who had first lead the Corinthians to Christ (11:2), found himself having to defend himself against accusations of false apostles (i.e. 10:10; 11:13). Comparing yourself with others, puffing yourself up,  and putting others down, is not just in politics. It is part of fallen human nature, and it is somewhat infectious. I find it so much easier to be humble with those who are humble. But with those who are boasting,  I can find myself wanting to push myself forward. “Oh yeh, well let me tell you about me!”

Part of the accusation against Paul, was that in his presence he was not bold.  And in irony, he is essentially saying he is not bold enough to compare himself with those who boast of their accomplishments (12). In fact he will reluctantly boast, but not in his accomplishments. Rather in order to defend himself and to protect the Corinthians from the false apostles, he boasts in his suffering. And he can do this, because suffering is the vehicle that allows for Christ's power to rest on him (12:9).  Worldly thinking is so very different from spiritual. The world thinks of meekness as weakness. And Paul,  while he was there,  had been gentle and meek among them  (10:1). Because of this they thought of him as worldly (10:2). But meekness is not weakness, it is strength under control.  A meek person can be bold when it is necessary. Jesus was meek, but He was bold,  for example, when He made a whip of chords and drove the money changers out of the temple (John 2:14, 15).

In the world, it's all about image, about the outward appearance, looking good on the outside (10:7). Scriptures tells us that “man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).  If we find ourselves concerned only with the outward appearance, we will inevitably get caught up in comparing ourselves with others. This morning's verse tells us this is not wise. It is not wise to see ourselves as better than others, for “pride comes before the fall,” and those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Proverbs 16:18: Matthew 23:12). It is not wise when by comparing ourselves to others,  we finish up putting ourselves down, feeling inferior and useless. We are image bearers of God and each and every one of us is precious and valued in His sight. The value of something is what someone it willing to pay for it. And Jesus paid for you and I by His costly death on the cross. That makes you and I infinitely valuable!

Father, help us not to get caught up in comparing ourselves with others. It can lead to pride, or jealousy, or to feeling inferiority. We are not to think too highly of ourselves, but to think soberly according to the measure of our faith (Romans 12:3). But neither are we to think of ourselves as inferior, for we are image bearers of Yourself. Help us Lord to think rightly about these things,  and we will give You the praise and the glory in Jesus Name Amen