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)
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