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Isaiah 48:20 - The prophetic vision for God's people - Day 167

Good morning friends,

The church council meeting (from 2/15/21)  is an exercise of looking into the short term future and making plans to the best of our ability.  This passage is a much longer view that God gave to Isaiah for the OT saints.  So some thoughts on how the long term might impact our short term.

Blessings,

Jeff

The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob. The message to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth after Judah is released from captivity.  All years in the future, as they haven't even gone into captivity yet.  So how did Isaiah's audience respond to the fact that their children (who might not even be born yet) will be sent into exile but will eventually be released?  Seems to be a good news/bad news scenario..

Did they wonder if there was some way to avoid the bad news?  Or were they just content that the bad news wasn't going to happen to them?

Instruction - What about us?  What does God expect? - I often look at the past and see how God has worked to fulfill His plans.  But the challenge is do I think about the present and future in the light of His sovereign plan?  Isaiah was looking forward not only to the redemption of Jacob from captivity in Babylon, but the redemption of Israel from captivity to self-righteousness under the law by the advent of the Messiah.  Am I living in light of future sovereign acts?  Or am I trying to figure how to get back to "normal", the way things used to be?

Thanksgiving - The future is in Your hands.  You are preparing a new generation of believers to face the challenges that we find so difficult.  The foundation of the prophets and apostles and the cornerstone of Christ will remain.

Confession - Thinking in terms of what I and this generation can do to hold on.  Placing my limitations on Your plans for the next generation.

Supplication - We are here to build the Church, not our legacy.  It is what You are doing,, not what we have done. Help us see the world from the perspective of Your plan

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