9 Jan 2016, Isaiah 48 以赛亚书 48, For the Sake of God’s Glory 为了神的荣耀

Posted on Jan 4, 2016 in Devotions, Isaiah |

Scripture Reading  : Isaiah 48

Theme                  : For the Sake of God’s Glory

 

The ugly sins of Israel have burdened God. But since He has promised to rescue them, God will rescue them for His name sake, because His integrity is on the line. The Jews were not worthy of God’s salvation, especially in light of the cost of that salvation: the precious and costly blood of Jesus. God did it for the honor of His name; this is the most basic meaning of righteousness of God. The most basic meaning of righteousness of God is God’s commitment to the honor of His name/character (cf. Daniel 9:4-19). We are righteous when we do all things for the honor of God’s name/character (1 Cor. 10:31). The salvation of God will be accomplished when God sends the Messiah and the Holy Spirit (v. 16). In the rest of the book, God will declare specific information about the Messiah and the Messianic Kingdom, so that when the Jews see fulfillments regarding Jesus’ first coming, they will know the God of the Bible is truly God, not an idol.

 

Praying the Scripture

Pray that you are amazed by God’s fulfilled prophecies. Only the self-existent (the first and the last), sovereign God can declare the future and fulfill it. God has emphasized this over and over again in chapters 41-48. Trust God’s sovereignty and goodness in your life. God loves you and wants the best for your character-building life. If there is something better for you, then God would have given it to you. Do not doubt God’s goodness or sovereignty. This is why complaining is sinful. Complaining says God does not love you, or want the best for your character-building life, or God is not in control. Such attitude dishonors God and leads to frustration and depression. Pray that these fulfill prophesies will strengthen your faith. Romans 8:28-29, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” May we worship God’s character as displayed through Jesus.

经文：以赛亚书48

主题：为了神的荣耀

 

以色列丑陋的罪给神带来羞辱。然而，既然神已应许要拯救他们，祂就必因祂的名行这事，因为这关系到祂的诚信。犹太人不配神拯救，尤其当拯救的代价如此大：耶稣珍贵的血。神是为祂名的荣耀如此行；这就是神之公义最基本的含义。神之公义最基本的含义就是神荣耀祂名或品性的委身（参：但9:4-19）。当我们为荣耀神的名或品性行事，便是为义了（林前10:31）。当神差派弥赛亚和圣灵时，神的救恩将成就（16节）。在其余书卷中，神要说明有关弥赛亚及弥赛亚国度的具体细节，叫犹太人见到与耶稣首次降世相关的预言应验时，他们要晓得圣经中的神真是神，不是一个偶像。

 

用经文祷告

祷告你会因神应验的预言万分惊奇。唯有自有永有（是首先的，也是末后的）并有主权的神方能说明未来，且应验预言。神在41-48章经文一再强调了这一点。要信靠神在你生命中的主权与良善。神爱你，并要你享有最好的品德塑造。倘若有什么对你更好，神必然赐你。万不得怀疑神的良善或主权。这就是为何埋怨是罪恶的行为。埋怨的心实际在说神不爱你，或者神不要塑造你拥有最好的品德，又或者神没有主权。这种心态不但不荣耀神，还会使你感到灰心沮丧。祷告这些应验的预言能坚固你的信心。罗马书8:28-19：“我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中做长子。”愿我们能敬拜神的品性，就是借着耶稣所彰显的。