This Christmas I re-purchased The Message, since my first copy was lost, in traveling. My first reading from this new hardcover edition is from Isaiah Chapter 2, and I feel the notes from this remarkable passage should be the first posting of 2012.
verse 3- “They say, Come let’s climb God’s mountain, go to the house of Jacob, he’ll show us the way he works, so we can live the way we were made.”
Why do you believe is the primary factor in the fact we have so many issues and problems in “climbing”, in going to God’s house, in letting Him show us the way he works? In order for all of these spiritual dynamics of personal relations with God, there must be an established, on-going acknowledgment of the fact you have been created by God. Yes, climbing to reach the “peak” of God’s Kingdom Reality in life, takes effort; however, when we come to constant recognition of God’s hand, and His Power that is what created us- your personal self as a human being- then the effort looses its severity, for we (you) know He is in control.
After reading the words: … “their world is full of hokey religion, Philistine witchcraft, and pagan hocus pocus, a world rolling in wealth, stuffed with things, no end to its machines and gadgets…” The Message, brings forth a new heading:
“Pretentious Egos Brought Down to Earth”
In today’s culture most of society does not view these aspects of “the world” as being negative in living; yet, the truth from God’s Voice is declaring He Knows when we regard ourselves, in the core of our focus, over the regard of Himself. All these “things” have become a yielding influence upon the planet of humanity in our age, in this 21st century; is it not a fact that there is “no end to its machines and gadgets in this age of technology? The world of computing and ability to use a finger to control a device has become a “reigning” force in how the thinking of our “neighbors” – and ourselves- function continually in living life in 2012. How does God view this “link” with such influence upon the hearts and minds upon mankind? Two words are a sufficient answer: pretentious ego. (!) When is our population that celebrates New Year’s Eve, in Time Square, going to celebrate the Divine source for governing their lives? God is present, even in the midst of this massive celebration, and desire the heart of each one shouting and watching the ball come down…as He is with everyone.
“People with a big head are headed for a fall…”
Sound like the ball falling in Time Square on New Years… big head…falling…yet, this is speaking of every human person who fixes themselves in such mental and psychological state of mind, and heart. When “we” are in such a state the concept of falling from a present “status” in not considered or valued, for the focus of self has gained control, and the “heart” of deception is ruling. Do you understand this declaration is not based on the consideration or perceptive feelings of man, but on God taking action upon the state of any man’s heart condition. What is God’s sincere desire for humanity? For each one of us?
“Come family of Jacob, let’s live in the light of God.” God’s Kingdom Reality desires each of His Creation to choose becoming a “member” of His family, so that the light of God is not only a “factor” in our living, but that the Light of Jesus Christ is the Power, the Force, that becomes the control of ourselves. In order for His control to work sufficiently and practically- pretension by deception must be gone as a regarding influence. The ONLY worthy influence that does not lead to resulting in “falling” is God, through the ability Christ has achieved through His Redemption, accomplished for all mankind.
“The swelled big heads will be punctured bladders, the pretentious egos brought down to earth.”
And all those sticks and stones dressed up to look like gods will be gone for good.”
Are you comprehending that any entity, any person- which presents an “outward appearance”, with not a sincere heart aligned with God, will not achieve nor be granted unceasing, eternal life? God does not give eternity to one who is declared “gone for good” does he? Therefore, all, you and I, who may place ourselves in a state of “pretentious” living, nor not living regarding God as primary, is one living in foolishness…without intelligence. Why am I using a such a descriptive word as “intelligence”? Aside from God’s Truth, the place of of position of priority upon living in a force that will be destroyed, not be of eternal value, is “unintelligent”; correct? Realize it takes Trusting God to move out of such condition upon our lives; man’s human intelligence is not of sufficient worth, or personal value, in comparison to God Himself, with His Wisdom.
Isaiah chapter 2 defines that our dressing up with the appearances we make, design, and choose to display, means little to God. He knows what the core of our being and hearts are operating under: Himself, or an oppositional force of influential power. The illusion of our own perception has no credible influence on God…not should it on each one of “us”.
* “If you are quiet enough in your kitchen you will hear a noise. It is a continuous sound, a long droning noise with no particular beginning or ending. It has very little, if any, dramatic range. It may go up and down in volume, but those changes are rarely perceptible. It is the same flat noise, and it goes on and on and on, hour after hour, day after day. If it is loud enough, it can grate on the nerves, but otherwise it is simply there.” – Rob Bell
Get the “picture”? Anyone who thinks they will succeed in their own choice of their direction in living life, is under illusion, under the deceptive force of God’s opposition. What does it take to reach the level described in the last section of this chapter? :
“On that day men and women will take their sticks and stones, they’ve decked out in gold and silver to look like gods and then worshiped, and they will dump them in any ditch or gully. Then they will run for rocks and caves and cliff hideouts to hide from the terror of God…”
God wants us to dump any deceptive or illusionist force that has wounded or gained control of our lives, now. How can this be done? Simple answer: Letting the hearing, listening, and obeying of the Voice of God, from His Spirit, reach into the core of our hearts, and minds.
There is a “side of me” that wants to chuckle in reading the last verse of Isaiah 2; however, I am not laughing, for I realize that side of me is the human spirit, not the Spirit of the Lord, dwelling in my heart. May we all take these words as a personal instructive declaration from God, and seek His Spirit to reveal to us, all Truth in the way we choose to live our lives.
“Quit scraping and fawning over mere humans. so full of themselves, so full of hot air! Can’t you see there’s nothing to them?”
Amen. Let us “climb”, without doubt to reach a consistent personal alignment with the Lord, our God. Believe me there is no better New Year’s resolution that this!
