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Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
Isn’t it comforting that no matter what happens over the next few days, months, or years, God is already there? He is not bound by space and time. He creates reality with his powerful words. While some may tremble with fear because of the unknown, Christians can take comfort in knowing that wherever and whenever we find ourselves, our Father in heaven — the great I Am, the One who is and was and is to come — is there already. He is already working on our deliverance and salvation. Even now, he is declaring new things about our future that we cannot see. So, as we journey into our unknown future, let’s make sure we journey with the One to whom the future is not unknown.
My Prayer…
Thank you, Father! You know where my life and my world are headed. With so much tumult about the changing of the year and the passing of time, I consciously and confidently trust that my future is in your hands. There is no other place I would rather my future be! Please bless me with confidence and banish anxiety from my heart as your future unfolds before me. All glory to you, O Lord God Almighty! I praise and thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible References
8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 42:8-9
“I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not yield my glory to another or My praise to idols. See the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
Verses 5-8 of Isaiah 42 is God addressing the coming of the Messiah (Jesus). He has told His people that this would happen for years now, and He is reminding them, should they lose heart, that He is the Lord and that everything He has told them would happen so far, has indeed happened!
God is also reminding them that He will not tolerate praise and glory that should be directed towards Him to go to idols. The idols are not Creator of the universe, He is, the idols cannot predict and map out the future, He does. He announces things to them before they spring into being, further proving that He is God and that He loves and cares for them.
Well, this message from God is not just for the Israelites hundreds of years ago. It is applicable to every child of God today! Every single thing that God has said in His Word has already come to pass or will come to pass in the future.
As His children through faith in Jesus Christ, we never need to worry about our future. God already has it planned out (Jeremiah 29:11). God will be there in our times of trouble to comfort and guide us (Psalm 46:1). God will protect us when our trust is placed in Him (Proverbs 30:5). And, goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:8). These are just a fraction of the promises we have from our Creator God!
We also must be careful to not give glory and praise to any idols. This is not just referring to “craven images”. Anything that is more important to you in your life than God is an “idol”. That can be anything from another person, to money, or power, or possessions….etc. God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 6:15)) and He has every right to be. He has every right to expect praise and glory from us for He is our Creator, Defender, Provider, and Sustainer. Only He is to be praised and glorified by those who are His children!
Lord help us to give God His rightful place in our lives each day. Only He deserves to be number one in our thoughts, actions, and minds. No one loves us as He does and our lives should show that out through our obedience to, and love for Him!
Father God, Your majesty is almost more than I can imagine, Your love for me, unfathomable in my mind. Yet I know that you love me as no other and care for me constantly. I would be lost without You Abba for You are my heartbeat! I love You so and want nothing more than to follow You all the days of my life. I give You all praise, honor, and glory this day, Amen!