Dave’s Monday Blast – December 2, 2019
I trust you had wonderful experiences with family and friends celebrating that distinctly American tradition of Thanksgiving. Last week we acknowledged that our Heavenly Father has an expectation throughout His Word that our hearts should be filled with gratitude for His never ending blessings each and every day. In Isaiah 66:1 – 2 we discover that God looks upon us with favor as we “tremble at His Word.”
Believers are ALWAYS under the canopy of God’s grace and love. NOTHING we do can change that. At the same time, our behavior and heart condition do determine whether we receive the fullness of His blessings. This passage from Isaiah teachers us how to experience the Father’s favor.
Pastor Charles Stanley:
1. He desires that we have a contrite heart and a humble spirit (Ps. 51:17). For that to be the case, all aspects of our lives must be surrendered to Jesus. Yet some dreams, desires, and people are difficult to release into his hands.
Anything we do not give over to His authority is evidence of pride, the exact opposite of what our Father wants in His children. Remember that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Lack of submission proves that we think our way is better than His plan.
2. God tells us to tremble at His Word (Isaish 66:2). Scripture, the unfolding revelation of Jesus Himself, is living and powerful to teach and transform us. Consider how we treat this treasure. Do we devote time each day to know what the Bible says and how to apply its principles? Do we hunger for more of the Word in our lives so we can know its Author better? One measure of our reverence is obedience: to honor the Lord, we must obey Him. (Obedience = Thankfulness)
We all desire God’s favor. Are you living in a manner that positions you to receive His full blessings? As you enter into this blessed Christmas season prayerfully consider whether you have submitted all areas of your life to our Heavenly Father… your finances and health, your relationships and work habits…to Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus surrendered everything to the Father to become our savior. He held nothing back!
