“DEFYING HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE” -Christadelphian thoughts based on the daily readings for may 14th 2016
“DEFYING HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE”
We have particularly challenging (and uplifting) chapters to read today. In Deuteronomy ch. 31 “Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel.”
[v.1]
It is his final message in his old age, he says, “I am 120 years old today.”
[v.2]
He seeks to lift their hearts with inspiring words – and these words have meaning for us, especially as we sense more and more that our promised land – of a renewed and wonderful earth with Christ in control – is about to unfold before an astonished and humbled world.
Moses tells them, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
[v.8]
Ponder how the divine action in going before them was (and will be for us) an awesome experience!
Our chapters 3 & 4 in Isaiah are a complete contrast to this; to a considerable extent they describe the spirit in our world today. God’s nation “… has stumbled … has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.” [3 v.8] And so the wonder of the all-seeing God is denied and defied – then – and now “Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.”
[v.9]
But the nation is not totally evil and God tells Isaiah, “Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.”
[v.10]
What is our fruit? We have food for our minds – may we so ‘eat’ this food that it leads us to produce godly “fruit.” In ch. 4, tomorrow we will read the wonderfully inspiring words the LORD gives Isaiah. ” In that day the branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious…”
[v.2]
Jesus is the branch!
This leads us to Paul’s challenging prayer – in his letter to the Colossians. We read the 1st chapter today. Paul tells them – and may this be equally true of us – in our actions toward each other. “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy …” [9-11]
And so we, instead of “defying his glorious presence” – we will – because we have acquired “the knowledge of his will” through our regular reading and meditation on His word, look forward with great awe in our hearts to the coming great wonder of “his glorious presence” on earth – through the return of His Son.
By Bro D.Caudery
