Everyone seems to know Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” What should we consider about the whole preceding chapter [40:1 - 30]? This can be the downside of emphasizing one verse out of a given passage. What? There is a downside? Yes, there certainly can be a downside! When we do not consider the context of the passage, we lose the meaning of the passage; or, at least, we feebly attempt to give meaning that was not intended by the LORD.

The following at the the last two posts from this chapter.

1.  Question #1: “What do I deserve? (v. 1 & 2) Double for all her sins…

2.  Question #2: “What did God display?” (v. 5) And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed…

3.  Question #3 [this post]: “What is God’s discernment?” (v. 6 – 8 )

Verses six through eight say, “The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass,and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

This is how our LORD sees, and this is the truth of the matter.  Our lives are short, but God’s Word will stand for ever.  No one can deny the first truth of this verse, but many attempt to deny the second part of verse eight.  Men have attempted to snuff out the Word of God; some have attempted to disprove the Word; but the Word of God has not only stood the test of time, but the Word of God will continue to stand the test of time.

God spoke every Word.  God preserved the Word, and God now illumines believers so that they might understand the Word.  Praise God for His holy Word!

In our last post on Isaiah chapter forty, we reviewed verses one and two.  If you were unable to read that post, please click here: “Double for all her sins…”  In order to get the full impact of that famous verse thirty-one, I would like to work through this chapter with five questions.  Of course, verse thirty-one says, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  The first question from verses one and two was, “WHAT DO I DESERVE?”

What Did God Display?

This is the question from verse five, “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”  Verse three is the prophecy about John the Baptist, and in verse five the Word of God teaches us that the glory of the LORD shall be revealed.  The best way to interpret Scripture is with Scripture, so please consider Hebrews chapter one and verse three: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…”

Jesus Christ is the brightness of God’s glory

Jesus Christ is the brightness of the glory of God.  Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.  Jesus Christ is the WORD Who was in the beginning and was made flesh (John 1:1, 14).  Some would try to pigeon-hole this verse to simply and only speak of Jesus Christ’s “Second Coming,” but the truth is that any and EVERY time Jesus Christ is on revealed to man, HE IS THE BRIGHTNESS OF GOD’S GLORY.

What has God displayed?  To this undeserving sinner, God has displayed the brightness of His glory in the Person of Jesus Christ.

This past week Catrina and I were able to attend the “Faith for the Family” couples retreat in Gatlinburg, TN.  What a great blessing that time was.  We were able to hear from Dr. Jack Schaap, Dr. Gibbs, and Dr. Sexton.  All of the messages were so very powerful.  Each year the retreat seems to get better and better.

One of the best messages that I have heard was preached on Thursday evening by Dr. Schaap.  The message was out of Ephesians chapters five and six.  The message dealt with relationships and responsibilities.  What captured me the most was how the true meaning of the passage was preached.  The passage was not segmented, as often is the case.  Oh, I hope that if you can obtain this message, that you do so.

For Catrina, the message the Lord used the most was preached by Dr. Gibbs on Friday night.  The message was from Ephesians 4:29.  Dr. Gibbs dramatically showed what we do to the Holy Spirit of God when we sin.  The messengers were Spirit-filled.  Praise the Lord for His goodness.

Everyone seems to know Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  What should we consider about the whole preceding chapter [40:1 - 30]?  This can be the downside of emphasizing one verse out of a given passage.  What?  There is a downside?  Yes, there certainly can be a downside!  When we do not consider the context of the passage, we lose the meaning of the passage; or, at least, we feebly attempt to give meaning that was not intended by the LORD.

Over the next few posts, I would like to highlight some of the verses in Isaiah chapter forty.  There is too much to cover simply in one post; but let’s begin with verses one and two: “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.”

Understanding the Time

Israel [both Judah and Israel] would ultimately go into captivity.  They would be taken to other nations, where they would serve.  They had rejected the LORD.  This particular passage looks to the time after the dispersion of God’s people.  These verses look forward to the time leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ.  We know this because in verse three, the Word of God shows to us a description of the message of John the Baptist.

Applying a simple Truth

A comforting message is going to be given.  Israel had been rewarded double for her sins, and now there was to be comfort.  For today, I would simply like you to see the statement at the end of verse two and consider one simple question.  The statement says, “…for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.”  Consider a few thoughts and one simple question:

-  Sin has a price tag.  You will reap more than what you sow.  If you were to plant a tomato seed, it would bring forth a plant that would generally yield more than one tomato.  So it is with sin.

-  The LORD keeps His Word.  God is not mocked.  Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

What grips me about the statement in the verse is the phrase “…for all her sins.”  Please ask yourself one question, “WHAT DO I DESERVE?”  This is a sobering thought.  ”WHAT DO YOU DESERVE?”  The truth is that we deserve eternal separation from God.  The truth is that without Christ, we are hopeless.  The truth is that what we deserve is not very pretty!  As we open up this chapter, ponder this thought.

There will be four other question presented in the next few posts.  I hope you will be able to put the pieces together so that we may understand what it truly means to wait upon the Lord for renewal of strength.  For today, live humbly knowing what it is that we truly deserve had it not been for the LORD Jesus Christ.

In August of 2000, I moved up to the “NORTH.”  That is actually a big deal if you grew up in the “SOUTH.”  It was then that I came in contact with a man who would ultimately influence me in too many ways to mention in a brief update.  His name is Dr. Roger Dale Green.  He is better known as Pastor Green to those of us in Middletown, Ohio.

Our work together did not begin to rapidly develop until around 2004, but when I began to observe him, there was so much that he taught me.  Among the many things, there are two areas in which he has greatly influence me:

1.  His greatest trait, in my opinion, as a pastor is the fact that he is gracious and long-suffering.  This is not a common trait of young “know-it-alls.”  This can only be acquired through close contact with a gracious Savior.  Though there were many times where he would have been justified in a rash response, he would err on the side of grace.  I suppose that it is fitting that he has now pastored “GRACE” Baptist Church for twenty-two years.

2.  His love for what the Lord is doing in this world.  This trait that God has blessed him with is indisputable.

Pastor Green is a great pastor, a great man of God, and a great lover of his wife and family.  May the Lord raise up more men of integrity, such as this man, not so that the man may receive the glory; but may God raise up men such as he so that God would be glorified.

Proverbs 9:8-9 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

This is a truth that must not be done away with. Our nature does not like to be reproved. We must work to remain teachable.

1.  A wise man loves one that reproves him.  A wise man understands the value of reproof.  It is for the edification of the one receiving the help.

2.  A wise man will increase in wisdom because he receives instruction.  Should you desire to become and act foolish, then the remedy is before you.  If would like the opposite of what these verses teach, then learn how to reject instruction.

3.  A just man is teachable.  He not only values the knowledge he has, but he increases in learning.

Simply put, be teachable.

1 Peter 2:15 “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…”

The prior verses teach us to be in submission to the ordinances of men for the Lord’s sake.  Our nature is to rebel.  We are rebels by birth, and rebelling fills our selfish desires.  Have you ever seen someone not do something, though it was good and right, simply because he or she were told to do it?  This kind of irrational response is not Christlike, if you are a believer.

The Silencing of Ignorant Speech

The will of God is that our submission would silence the ignorant speech of those who reject the existence of God or of those who are lost.  Here are a few thoughts:

1.  There are things being spoken when believers do not rightfully submit.  Clearly, I am not speaking about those areas where God’s Authority or Truth is contradicted.  Believers are not to have some superiority complex under which they act.  The implication in this verse is that there are people speaking about our DOINGS.

2.  The speech is ignorant.  Not everyone has the knowledge that you have about the Lord and His Word.  Surprised?  Do not attempt to first combat the speech until you have first lived the submissive life.  The rulers and the regulations of our government would NOT be in place if God would not have allowed them to be there.  God is supreme, and is still in control of the affairs of men, whether this is by aggressive action or allowance.  God still rules.  Will you combat the government and rulers with your speech or with your submissive life?

3.  The will of God is well doing.  Consider what Christ said about the will of His Father.  Verse thirteen says, “…for the Lord’s sake…”  The submissive response and well doing is for the Lord.

Now some will make this out to be what it is not.  We have clear examples in the Word of God when men had to oppose the governments because the commands of men were in complete opposition to CLEAR commands from the Lord (i.e. Daniel, the Apostles in Acts…)  This is not the idea here.  Unfortunately, many believers need to evaluate their decisions.  In many cases we fight battles that Christ Himself would have simply submitted for so that His Father would ultimately be glorified.

Jesus Christ’s life was not characterized by rebellion.  His life was not described as that of a revolter.  The mind of Christ, as described in Philippians two, was one of humility and obedience.  The carnal, rebellious responses of believers today only serve to feed our own flesh.  For the Lord’s sake, submit to every ordinance of man (I Peter 2:13).

Part 1 may be viewed by clicking here

Part 2 may be viewed by clicking here

* The Root of Bitterness

Deuteronomy 29:18, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;”

When we do not seek peace and when we give place to sin in our lives, we allow a root of bitterness to form. The seed of sin brings this forth. This sin can specifically be false doctrine or false teachings.

* The root of bitterness is something that is contrary to the teaching of the Word of God.

* The root of bitterness is something that makes the grace of God vain or takes advantage of the grace of God.

* The root of bitterness must be prevented by paying close attention, seeking peace with our brethren, and getting sin out of our lives through confession and forsaking of it.

* The Defilement of Many

* When we do not take this seriously [pursuing peace with our brother and holiness of living before God] we TROUBLE ourselves.

* We also cause others to fall or be defiled. When they see that we are pursuing our own lusts or errant teachings, this causes others [children and anyone we may influence] to fall.

To pursue peace with all men means that we must make amends. We must stop fighting over nonsense. We must keep our eyes upon the Prince of Peace, if we would want to be men and women of peace.  The follow holiness means that we seek to live lives that are not full of sin. Lack of peace and sinfulness causes us to be ungracious. This bad seed develops a root of bitterness that causes others to fall.

1. Confess all known sin!

2. Consecrate yourself solely to the Lord!

3. Make peace with your brother!

 Part 1: Pursue Peace & Be Holy (click here)

* The Grace of God 

The grace of God is in view. Verse twenty-eight says, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” Grace is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. There are several points here:

* Salvation is all by God’s grace.

* Living the Christian life is all by God’s grace.

* (Refer back to verse 14) There are some who are not pursuing peace with others. As a result of this, they are falling short of living the grace-empowered life. They are being hindered from running the Christian race to their full potential.

* There are some who are not pursuing holiness (sanctification) or living a life that is consecrated to the Lord. Because they are attempting to please themselves in the flesh, they are falling short of living the grace-empowered life.

MHC said of Esau’s example: That apostasy from Christ is the fruit of preferring the gratification of the flesh to the blessing of God and the heavenly inheritance.

So the question to believers today is, “Do you want to please your own flesh more than you want to receive the blessing of God in your life?

If we are to finish our Christian race correctly, we must diligently pursue peace and not give place to sin!

* Hebrews was written to mainly Christian Jews.

* The dilemma that had arisen was that some were going back to a mixture of Jewish religion with Christ.

* Chapter 11 is the chapter where “Faith” is described through the lives of saints.

Opening of Chapter 12

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Believers are exhorted to lay aside both SIN and WEIGHTS. There are some things that are not sin, but they weigh us down in our race. Notice how the writer points to the race of the Christian life.

Verse three reminds us: “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Our eyes must remain upon Jesus Christ; but, not only our eyes, our MINDS must remain in consideration Christ.

The Christian race is full of many challenges, but we must consider Christ:

- Consider that there is sin.

- Consider that there are weights.

- Consider that there is the chastening of the Lord.

- Consider that there is a finish line.

Our text is found in verses 14 & 15, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”

Notice the phrase, “…lest any man fail of the grace of God…” Remember that the writer is using the analogy of a race. The thought here is that someone would fall short and not finish their race. Paul was able to say in II Timothy 4, “I have finished my course…”

If we are to finish our Christian race Biblically, we must diligently pursue peace and not give place to sin!