Isaiah 61, Ephesians 6

Isaiah 61

What a journey in life we have seeking God’s righteousness through Christ. Paul tells us that in his faith journey, he lives with much fear and trembling. I wonder if that is more because of the magnitude of his calling, his feeling of unworthiness, or fear God will stop going before him. Maybe it’s a combination of the three (and more).

God promises through His Word that He protects, leads, blesses those who’s walk is upright and seeks righteousness. I am reminded not only of this promise, but also that our righteousness is NOT for our glory or achievement, but a display of HIS.

Isaiah 61 says, “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”

The word splendor comes from a Hebrew word meaning to “explain (to make clear) oneself”. This is saying that through OUR righteousness, and remember we have none of our own doing, God continues to give us a clearer picture of who HE is. And in turn, ultimately displays His amazing Glory. The task of our righteousness is to Glorify God!

He is Awesome!

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.”
-Isaiah 61:11

Ephesians 6

Because of our selfish perspective, it’s so easy to miss God’s blessing in his commands. Ephesians 6:2-3 gives us an example of that: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ which is the first commandment with a promise”

When we leave it at that, we miss the heart of God, and feel as children that God is just bossing us around and taking the side of our parents. Then we see the heart in verse 3: "…that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

If we were honest with ourselves, there are times that we look at God’s commands as a task, burden we must bear, or sometimes even an inconvenient responsibility. We forget that, in the same way that we experience HIS righteousness and ultimately He is glorified, when we experience the full life that Christ promised when we follow His precepts, ultimately He is Glorified. And is to OUR BENEFIT!

Thank you God that living the fullest of the full life brings Glory to You!