Thursday, May 8, 2008

Verse of the Day 5/8

Through the Bible - I Kings 19-20, John 3:1-21

Good morning,
For the next several days, Lord willing, we'll take a look at some verses that address, the holiness, the glory, and the "otherness" of God.
We are in the middle of a long season, a political season. We know that change is coming about and many people are concerned about who will become their "Commander in Chief". The concerns are primarily over the economy, military policies, and healthcare.
For today's passage we'll go to Isaiah chapter 6. It was the year that king Uzziah had died. He had reigned for 52 years. It was a time of prosperity and peace but God had been taken lightly. The people were concerned about what the new king would be like. Would prosperity continue, would there be peace? It seemed that it would all center around this king.
It was against this backdrop that the prophet Isaiah had his vision of the angels declaring the holiness of God, and how Isaiah saw the temple filled with His "glory".
Isa 6:3 And one cried to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
The whole earth is full of His glory!"

4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. NKJV

You've probably heard of the significance of "holy, holy, holy" as being to the highest degree.
Isaiah 6:3
The Chaldee has rendered this, 'Holy in the highest heavens, the house of his majesty; holy upon the earth, the work of his power; holy forever, and ever, and ever, is the Lord of hosts.' The whole expression is a most sublime ascription of praise to the living God, and should teach us in what manner to approach him. - From Barnes Notes.Today, I'd like us to consider His "glory". The Hebrew word is kabowd OT:3519 properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: -glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able). It connotes weightiness, magnificence, and wealth.
Isaiah became acutely aware of all of this. His response was to realize his sinfulness as fallen man compared to the Holy God.
The glory of God is a weighty matter not to be taken "lightly" in our lives and in our worship.
C.S. Lewis wrote a book about it "The Weight of Glory" based on his life verse:
2 Cor 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, NKJV
As we consider who will be president of our country, let us not forget about the Ruler of the Universe. He is still sovereign, He is in control, it is our relationship to Him that we should be most concerned about. To Him be the glory forever.

"Glory In The Highest" - Chris Tomlin

You are the first
You go before
You are the last
Lord, You're the encore
Your name's in lights for all to see
The starry host declare Your glory

Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest
Glory in the highest

Apart from You there is no god
Light of the world
The Bright and Morning Star
Your name will shine for all to see
You are the one
You are my glory

And no one else could ever compare
To You, Lord
All the earth together declares ...
Glory in the highest ... to You, Lord

All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars, the sun and rain
Every nation will proclaim
That You are God and You will reign

Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory to You, Lord
Glory, glory hallelujah
Hallelujah


In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Isa 6:1-9

6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said:
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;The whole earth is full of His glory!"
4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 So I said:
"Woe is me, for I am undone!Because I am a man of unclean lips,And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;For my eyes have seen the King,The Lord of hosts."
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth with it, and said:
"Behold, this has touched your lips;Your iniquity is taken away,And your sin purged."
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
"Whom shall I send,And who will go for Us?"

NKJV

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