The Future —

Many in today’s world see their future integrally connected with their country. The rush toward nationalism as a healing agent for our problems is not new, however. God sees the future in terms of His plan and will. It is not about our country, it is about our calling. It is not about our rights and liberties and abilities to do what we want to do, it is about the LORD accomplishing His desire for everyone through us. This may very well include helping our country, but it starts with God’s will first and foremost.

Everything in this world – animals, plants, water, clouds, sun – are things created by the will of God for the greater good of human beings fulfilling their God-given duty. There is pleasure and satisfaction along with contentment in God’s call on our individual lives. This is where Satan, the enemy of our soul, distracts us. He makes us think about what we want, not what God wants. Worse yet, at times he blends our wills together to make it seem like our own will is God’s will. My friends, this should not be so.

As we move into the major prophets, it is interesting to see how God speaks to us today through ancient Israel long ago. Isaiah is the great royal prophet who frequented kings and leaders in the eighth century BC. He was focused on God’s call to all people, Jew and Gentile alike. In fact, the book of Isaiah is often called ‘the gospel of the Old Testament’. Isaiah 53, specifically, typifies this unofficial title. It is one of, if not, the most important passages for the Jewish people, which is why it is now called the “forbidden chapter” by many orthodox Jews today. Once you read it, you cannot unsee it: Seven hundred years before Jesus Christ, Isaiah prophesied explicitly about His death and sacrifice that was to pay the penalty of our sins.

Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess: Jesus Christ is LORD!

Praise God!