04.30.09
Isaiah - Day 263
Scripture: Isaiah 14:10 (NIV): "They will all respond, they will say to you, 'You also have become weak, as we are; you have become like us'."
Thought: To me, God Almighty has the power to bring us all to one common "ground".
Question: Do I sense my soul's "weakness" and my life's brevity?
"They will all respond..." No ruler, king or leader who is a departed spirit (yesterday's verse) is left out of this moment of dialogue between the newly arrived "King of Babylon", or, as was discussed in yesterday's blog, Lucifer, "Morning Star, son of the dawn" (also see verse 12 ahead). All will communicate their full realization to "him" as he arrives in "the grave": "You also have become weak...you have become like us."
To me, the point clearly becomes this: Who is the Determiner of the fate of all these rulers? Who has brought them all together into this place of the grave (Sheol)? Who has the power to make all these leaders "become weak", including Lucifer? It is God Almighty, of course--Creator of the universe and Source of all life to both men and angels.
"You have become like us..." Whether it is Belshazzar, the last literal king of Babylon, which the prior context refers to, or Lucifer, the devil and power behind all evil spirits, which the upcoming context refers to, it doesn't matter. Both are lowered into Sheol! Both, and all the other kings and leaders as well, are lowered into the grave--subject to the awesome power and authority of God Almighty. And we are, too, of course. This truth ought to grip us all: where do my loyalties lie? To whom have I yielded my life and heart? What principles of life am I living by?
These leaders say they are "weak." While on earth they did not feel this way! It behoves each of us to consider the eternity that lies ahead. Our days on the earth are brief and quickly pass, and the attitudes we exhibit while here may not prepare us at all for eternity. (James 4:14: "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.") A "mist" is indeed "weak"! Plus, this "mist" vanishes!
This is the human plight. We are all weak--only like the vanishing mist. Our entire life becomes only our single, brief chance to make the most important decision ever: do we belong to God, as we have opportunity to, by receiving Jesus Christ as our one and only Savior?
Prayer: Maker of us all, my Father and God, You are in full control of everyone's life! We must all pass through death. Thank You, Father, that I know I have new life with Christ on "the other side." Help those who are not yet sure of this to come to Christ before it is too late! Amen.
Marcy Fearey : weakness
05/11/2009, at 17:11 [ Reply ]
Is. 6:5 - Since I have not been reading before today, I will comment on what it brings to my mind right now. I think this same weakness is reflected in Isaiah's response to seeing the glory of God. "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips...for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts." Any response to seeing the glory of God can only be the revelation of the all-encompassing weakness of the human heart, spirit, and flesh. The true tragedy is when the human heart is so wicked that it refuses to recognize its own state or the glory of God. I must admit my life has its share of Isaiah moments, but I praise God that He always floods me with His grace, mercy, and lovingkindness.