IN GOD WE TRUST

More than the official motto of the United States, it’s a useful summary of the book of Isaiah. That’s what Mark taught us yesterday in his message. Another way to put it: God delivers: trust Him.

That was amazing: 66 chapters of Isaiah in about 55 minutes. We learned that the book of Isaiah can be thought of as two islands and a bridge. The first island is chapters 1-35, prophecy given by God that will mostly come to pass during Isaiah’s lifetime. The second island is chapters 40-66, primarily prophecy about events to happen in the (sometimes distant) future, although Isaiah speaks of them as if he were there. The bridge is chapters 36-39, a section of prose about fearful, faithful, foolish Hezekiah.

Mark also introduced us to four places (Assyria, Jerusalem, Egypt, and Babylon), four dates (740 BC, 722 BC, 605 BC, and 539 BC), and four names (Ahaz, Sennacherib, Hezekiah, and Cyrus). If you can’t remember the significance of these places, dates, or names, go back and listen to the message again.

Three questions that the book of Isaiah answers:

A. Who is the Lord?

1. He is the holy one of Israel
2. He is the rule or history

B. What hinders trust in Him?

1. Trusting other nations
2. Trusting other gods
3. Trusting in themselves

C. What does He promise to those who trust in Him?

1. To deliver in the midst of severe trials
2. To deliver from coming judgment
3. To deliver through a servant king

I think the second question may be the most significant for our consideration. Ask yourself: What hinders me from trusting in Him? Is it trusting in nations, hoping that the systems that exist around me will keep me safe? Is it trusting in other gods, maybe confident that money or a relationship or something else will bring me happiness? Or is it trusting in myself, confident in my own abilities, wisdom, strength, and so on? Ask God to show you when it is that keeps you from trusting Him, and when He does, turn from it and trust Him instead.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Is. 26:4

Categories: Monday Matters, five15 blog