J.A. Matteson
Employing the Hebrew literary technique of parallelism the prophet underscores God's sovereignty in salvation. "Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" (Isa. 53:1). That none seek after God or believe apart from divine enablement is an indisputable fact throughout scripture. The LORD is Spirit and He cannot be known apart from His self-revelation to an individual. Those who believe are those to whom the arm of the LORD has been revealed. How, then, ought servants of the LORD pray for the unregenerate? We begin by beseeching that His grace and mercy of self-disclosure rest upon the lost; that He would regenerate them, enabling them to see, to hear, to respond in faith. As the Lord Jesus Christ stated, 'The flesh profits nothing.' According to the good purpose of His will the LORD has both foreordained the end of His plan of salvation, but also the means. And it is His delight to employ human instrumentality to bring to pass what He has purposed regarding the heirs of salvation from eternity. It is a marvelous dawning to realize that as a recipient of grace pilgrims are called to in turn operate as instruments of grace to those in their sphere of influence.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Word of Exhortation
J.A. Matteson
Exhortation is as sought after rain in summers dry heat, the ground rejoices, refreshed by its life giving presence. "The LORD God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word" (Isa. 50:4). The bond-servant of the LORD is refreshed by the word of life who calls His sheep by name. A multitude of words are spoken by men, and many are the opinions of prognosticators of good intent. Yet they fall short, not satisfying the inner recesses of the soul, for wisdom of the world is empty. One clear word from the LORD, a single moment of clarity is supremely valuable, consoling the mind, directing the path, putting the soul at rest. Blessed are those to whom the LORD has gracefully given ears to hear. Blessed are those to whom the LORD has given the word of exhortation in its proper season. He is near, an ever present help in time of need, a sure comforter and friend to the down trodden and afflicted. To the King of kings and Lord of lords be the praise, the glory and honor, whose majesty is unending, now and forever more.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Exhortation is as sought after rain in summers dry heat, the ground rejoices, refreshed by its life giving presence. "The LORD God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word" (Isa. 50:4). The bond-servant of the LORD is refreshed by the word of life who calls His sheep by name. A multitude of words are spoken by men, and many are the opinions of prognosticators of good intent. Yet they fall short, not satisfying the inner recesses of the soul, for wisdom of the world is empty. One clear word from the LORD, a single moment of clarity is supremely valuable, consoling the mind, directing the path, putting the soul at rest. Blessed are those to whom the LORD has gracefully given ears to hear. Blessed are those to whom the LORD has given the word of exhortation in its proper season. He is near, an ever present help in time of need, a sure comforter and friend to the down trodden and afflicted. To the King of kings and Lord of lords be the praise, the glory and honor, whose majesty is unending, now and forever more.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, July 25, 2013
The Kindness of the LORD
J.A. Matteson
The days of our habitation upon the earth are known only to God. Presumption is sin, and assuming length of days is folly as only the LORD knows what today holds. "In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, 'Thus says the LORD, Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live'" (Isa. 38:1). For the wise who have built their house on the Rock the news is not earth shattering and by grace they gently and with blissful anticipation prepare to meet their Redeemer. To the unwise who have built their house on the sand the news often creates despair and fear. Hezekiah's tears were not those of despair and fear but those of a contrite heart painfully aware of personal sin and failure to perfectly walk in a manner pleasing to the LORD. The king did not ask for more time, but that the LORD would be merciful to him, a sinner. The kindness of the LORD bestowed what he did not ask for and in the fullness of time he came face to face with his Redeemer.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
The days of our habitation upon the earth are known only to God. Presumption is sin, and assuming length of days is folly as only the LORD knows what today holds. "In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, 'Thus says the LORD, Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live'" (Isa. 38:1). For the wise who have built their house on the Rock the news is not earth shattering and by grace they gently and with blissful anticipation prepare to meet their Redeemer. To the unwise who have built their house on the sand the news often creates despair and fear. Hezekiah's tears were not those of despair and fear but those of a contrite heart painfully aware of personal sin and failure to perfectly walk in a manner pleasing to the LORD. The king did not ask for more time, but that the LORD would be merciful to him, a sinner. The kindness of the LORD bestowed what he did not ask for and in the fullness of time he came face to face with his Redeemer.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Walking by Faith
J.A. Matteson
The deliverance of the LORD always comes along the line of the impossible. By design His involvement in a matter confounds the unbelieving while strengthening the believing. "Beware that Hezekiah does not mislead you, saying 'The LORD will deliver us.' Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his hand from the hand of the king of Assyria?" (Isa. 36:18). Deception always has a kernel of truth otherwise it would be dismissed outright. Fear, intimation, threats and mocking are aimed by Satan at the heart of the LORD's bond-servants. And that is the intersection of the test, moving forward in faith or in fear striking a deal with the devil. Faith does not consider the resources of the natural realm for deliverance from evil, but trusts in the One who spoke and worlds were created. Walking by faith and not by sight is learned, and the classroom of affliction is the means by which the subject is taught.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
The deliverance of the LORD always comes along the line of the impossible. By design His involvement in a matter confounds the unbelieving while strengthening the believing. "Beware that Hezekiah does not mislead you, saying 'The LORD will deliver us.' Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his hand from the hand of the king of Assyria?" (Isa. 36:18). Deception always has a kernel of truth otherwise it would be dismissed outright. Fear, intimation, threats and mocking are aimed by Satan at the heart of the LORD's bond-servants. And that is the intersection of the test, moving forward in faith or in fear striking a deal with the devil. Faith does not consider the resources of the natural realm for deliverance from evil, but trusts in the One who spoke and worlds were created. Walking by faith and not by sight is learned, and the classroom of affliction is the means by which the subject is taught.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Delight Upon Delight
J.A. Matteson
It is not for lack of knowledge that servants err, nor are His instructions complex so as to be incomprehensible. "For his God instructs and teaches him properly" (Isa. 28:26). That which is hidden is made plain, and paths counter intuitive are illumined. There is a time and season for all things and the LORD has established the order of them. Ears to hear belong to those with whom the LORD delights, deafness to the one whose heart is hardened to correction. Wonder upon wonder and delight upon delight to bond-servants who hear and obey the teaching of the LORD. They will shine as the noon day sun, their path is firmly established in the light of Life.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
It is not for lack of knowledge that servants err, nor are His instructions complex so as to be incomprehensible. "For his God instructs and teaches him properly" (Isa. 28:26). That which is hidden is made plain, and paths counter intuitive are illumined. There is a time and season for all things and the LORD has established the order of them. Ears to hear belong to those with whom the LORD delights, deafness to the one whose heart is hardened to correction. Wonder upon wonder and delight upon delight to bond-servants who hear and obey the teaching of the LORD. They will shine as the noon day sun, their path is firmly established in the light of Life.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Not Without Joy
J.A. Matteson
In the course of human events wisdom confesses the unpredictable nature of daily experiences. Some are pleasurable and others distressing. Yet in the midst of a world filled with iniquity pilgrims are not without joy and rest, for they reside within the safety of Him who loved and redeemed them from death. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1). The LORD of Hosts arrays His army to defend His servants and their hope is in Him who delivers by many or few. The perils of darkness will not overtake nor extinguish the light of life sewn within the hearts of His children. Let the forces of evil have their fleeting moment of recognition, for joy comes in the morning to whom it is given, to the heirs of salvation who rest securely within the gates of the awesome presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
In the course of human events wisdom confesses the unpredictable nature of daily experiences. Some are pleasurable and others distressing. Yet in the midst of a world filled with iniquity pilgrims are not without joy and rest, for they reside within the safety of Him who loved and redeemed them from death. "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps. 91:1). The LORD of Hosts arrays His army to defend His servants and their hope is in Him who delivers by many or few. The perils of darkness will not overtake nor extinguish the light of life sewn within the hearts of His children. Let the forces of evil have their fleeting moment of recognition, for joy comes in the morning to whom it is given, to the heirs of salvation who rest securely within the gates of the awesome presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was and is and is to come.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
As Refined Silver
J.A. Matteson
Whatsoever comes to pass is under the sovereign governance of God. Terror strikes the heart, uncertainty washes over the mind as a wave, distress is as an unwelcome companion, dread consumes confidence as locusts the ripened crop. "Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call answer me quickly" (Ps. 102:2). Distress is not without its purpose and the LORD engineers providences to sanctify the hearts of His people that they may be as refined silver and pure gold. Lucifer whispers to the soul, "Has God said...?" Pride seduces the mind, "I can handle this!" A conflicted heart reveals unbelief in the goodness of God. Reckon your circumstances spiritually by considering how they foster your dependence upon God, as that is their design. Vestiges of independence are as a malignancy, and apart from grace, are fatal. God's mercy eradicates them, bringing the soul at rest, and rest is His promise and gift to all who abide in Him. To the praise of His glorious name.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Whatsoever comes to pass is under the sovereign governance of God. Terror strikes the heart, uncertainty washes over the mind as a wave, distress is as an unwelcome companion, dread consumes confidence as locusts the ripened crop. "Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress; incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call answer me quickly" (Ps. 102:2). Distress is not without its purpose and the LORD engineers providences to sanctify the hearts of His people that they may be as refined silver and pure gold. Lucifer whispers to the soul, "Has God said...?" Pride seduces the mind, "I can handle this!" A conflicted heart reveals unbelief in the goodness of God. Reckon your circumstances spiritually by considering how they foster your dependence upon God, as that is their design. Vestiges of independence are as a malignancy, and apart from grace, are fatal. God's mercy eradicates them, bringing the soul at rest, and rest is His promise and gift to all who abide in Him. To the praise of His glorious name.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Instruments of Correction
J.A. Matteson
Ignorance boasts, and self-aggrandizement resides in the hearts of darkened souls. "Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it?" (Isa. 10:15). Servants of the LORD who err from the straight and narrow may expect His hand of chastening. Wisdom discerns the hand of correction through its means. Instruments of correction may be vile, yet serve as useful tools in the hand of God to establish His redemptive purposes. With boastful arrogance wickedness delights at the demise of the righteous, unaware that its glory is fleeting and that destruction is its end. Blinded to the light of truth and deaf to the voice of reason it recklessly stumbles forward in its vain attempt to destroy that which is precious to God, its final demise sealed for the day of visitation. Blessed are the servants of the King of kings who perceive His loving hand of correction through the instruments of unrighteousness. He causes them to stand and turns their hearts to Himself. Their joy endures forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Ignorance boasts, and self-aggrandizement resides in the hearts of darkened souls. "Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it?" (Isa. 10:15). Servants of the LORD who err from the straight and narrow may expect His hand of chastening. Wisdom discerns the hand of correction through its means. Instruments of correction may be vile, yet serve as useful tools in the hand of God to establish His redemptive purposes. With boastful arrogance wickedness delights at the demise of the righteous, unaware that its glory is fleeting and that destruction is its end. Blinded to the light of truth and deaf to the voice of reason it recklessly stumbles forward in its vain attempt to destroy that which is precious to God, its final demise sealed for the day of visitation. Blessed are the servants of the King of kings who perceive His loving hand of correction through the instruments of unrighteousness. He causes them to stand and turns their hearts to Himself. Their joy endures forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Delivered
J.A. Matteson
The grace of God is compassionate, He saves His people from their sin. The grace of the LORD is effectual, His elect hear His voice and cry out in repentance. "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered...even among the survivors whom the LORD calls" (Joel 2:32). Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for he is delivered from the day of judgement. Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for his sin is forever before him; the mercy of God melts his heart of stone, replacing it with a heart of flesh. Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for while he looses all things he is heir to all things and his inheritance the moth does not devour nor rust corrode. Blessed is the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, for He leads His sheep into green pastures beside still deep waters, He restores their soul and fills their hearts with gladness.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
The grace of God is compassionate, He saves His people from their sin. The grace of the LORD is effectual, His elect hear His voice and cry out in repentance. "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be delivered...even among the survivors whom the LORD calls" (Joel 2:32). Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for he is delivered from the day of judgement. Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for his sin is forever before him; the mercy of God melts his heart of stone, replacing it with a heart of flesh. Blessed is the man whom the LORD calls, for while he looses all things he is heir to all things and his inheritance the moth does not devour nor rust corrode. Blessed is the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, for He leads His sheep into green pastures beside still deep waters, He restores their soul and fills their hearts with gladness.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
The Affairs of Providence
J.A. Matteson
As certain as the sunrise in the east are the consequences of a heart at enmity toward God. The wheels of divine justice may turn slow, but the outcome of their movement is observable. "Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijiah; and the LORD struck him and he died" (2 Chr. 13:20). The times and seasons of a mans life belong to the LORD and the heart of man is answerable to Him with whom he has to do. Yet from beginning to end the LORD has so arranged the affairs of providence that His servant is often unable to understand His ways, for the just fall with the unjust and the righteous succumb to the evil intent of wicked men. That which serves the good purpose of His will is often not disclosed to His servants, remaining cloaked in the secret council of His will. The servant of the LORD yields his quest for understanding to the supremacy of knowing He is good and is preparing a place for him in glory and that the cause of righteous ness and justice will forever reign. Glory and honor and majesty clothe the King eternal who was and is and is to come and into Whose hands His servants rest.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
As certain as the sunrise in the east are the consequences of a heart at enmity toward God. The wheels of divine justice may turn slow, but the outcome of their movement is observable. "Jeroboam did not again recover strength in the days of Abijiah; and the LORD struck him and he died" (2 Chr. 13:20). The times and seasons of a mans life belong to the LORD and the heart of man is answerable to Him with whom he has to do. Yet from beginning to end the LORD has so arranged the affairs of providence that His servant is often unable to understand His ways, for the just fall with the unjust and the righteous succumb to the evil intent of wicked men. That which serves the good purpose of His will is often not disclosed to His servants, remaining cloaked in the secret council of His will. The servant of the LORD yields his quest for understanding to the supremacy of knowing He is good and is preparing a place for him in glory and that the cause of righteous ness and justice will forever reign. Glory and honor and majesty clothe the King eternal who was and is and is to come and into Whose hands His servants rest.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Thursday, July 4, 2013
When the Palm is Open
J.A. Matteson
Silver tarnishes and cedar rots. Grapes on the vine are consumed by man or the earth. Water satisfies parched lips yet ceases and thirst again afflicts man and beast alike. The LORD gives abundantly all things in their time for enjoyment, but joy in them is fleeting apart from the God who bestows them. "Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish" (Ps. 49:20). Folly strives for more and more, to scheme and consume for its own sake, seeking satisfaction in things. Things are good and gifts of God when rightly understood. But things are things and their glory fades just as those who possess them. The earth is the LORD's and all it contains. Blessed are those who's joy is in the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. For His blessings may be enjoyed fully and rightly when the palm is open for Him to bestow or remove as seems good in His sight. Understanding informs the soul that man owns nothing but is a tenant upon the earth and that the day will shortly come when that which is given will return to the stewardship of Him who gave it. Offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD most high, His mercies endure forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Silver tarnishes and cedar rots. Grapes on the vine are consumed by man or the earth. Water satisfies parched lips yet ceases and thirst again afflicts man and beast alike. The LORD gives abundantly all things in their time for enjoyment, but joy in them is fleeting apart from the God who bestows them. "Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, is like the beasts that perish" (Ps. 49:20). Folly strives for more and more, to scheme and consume for its own sake, seeking satisfaction in things. Things are good and gifts of God when rightly understood. But things are things and their glory fades just as those who possess them. The earth is the LORD's and all it contains. Blessed are those who's joy is in the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. For His blessings may be enjoyed fully and rightly when the palm is open for Him to bestow or remove as seems good in His sight. Understanding informs the soul that man owns nothing but is a tenant upon the earth and that the day will shortly come when that which is given will return to the stewardship of Him who gave it. Offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD most high, His mercies endure forever.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Grace Upon the Heart
J.A. Matteson
He who genetically is predisposed to be tall is tall, and this is not his doing, it is determined. She who's DNA corresponds to blue eyes will have blue eyes, and this is not her doing, it is determined. Height and eye color are external markers of unseen influences within. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life" (Jn. 6:47). What is Jesus saying? Is He suggesting that salvation ultimately depends on sinners, where God has done 99% of the work through sacrificing His Son on the cross, but that in a spiritually dead condition a sinner must generate faith while a child of wrath opposed to the things of God? If that is true then none could be saved. If that is true then sinners merit their salvation and it is no longer by grace and they have much to boast about. Or is Jesus making an observation of the outward influence of grace upon the heart? Yes, the effectual call of the Spirit regenerates the living dead whereby the are given the capacity to see, to hear, to respond to the gospel. As the hymn states, "I once was blind but now I see." A blind man lacks the ability to heal himself of his malady. Sinners lack the moral ability to respond positively to the gospel, although all are commanded to come to Christ and are without excuse. In this regard Jesus also states that "whosoever believes has eternal life" underscoring that God is impartial and grants salvation to Jew and Gentile alike...a big shock to the Jews. Therefore, faith is the external evidence of the unseen influence of grace upon the heart according to election, and so all who believe are the legitimate children of promise in the likeness of Isaac.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
He who genetically is predisposed to be tall is tall, and this is not his doing, it is determined. She who's DNA corresponds to blue eyes will have blue eyes, and this is not her doing, it is determined. Height and eye color are external markers of unseen influences within. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life" (Jn. 6:47). What is Jesus saying? Is He suggesting that salvation ultimately depends on sinners, where God has done 99% of the work through sacrificing His Son on the cross, but that in a spiritually dead condition a sinner must generate faith while a child of wrath opposed to the things of God? If that is true then none could be saved. If that is true then sinners merit their salvation and it is no longer by grace and they have much to boast about. Or is Jesus making an observation of the outward influence of grace upon the heart? Yes, the effectual call of the Spirit regenerates the living dead whereby the are given the capacity to see, to hear, to respond to the gospel. As the hymn states, "I once was blind but now I see." A blind man lacks the ability to heal himself of his malady. Sinners lack the moral ability to respond positively to the gospel, although all are commanded to come to Christ and are without excuse. In this regard Jesus also states that "whosoever believes has eternal life" underscoring that God is impartial and grants salvation to Jew and Gentile alike...a big shock to the Jews. Therefore, faith is the external evidence of the unseen influence of grace upon the heart according to election, and so all who believe are the legitimate children of promise in the likeness of Isaac.
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)
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