the response to revelation

Saturday, July 3, 2021 (5:47 a.m.)

Blessed, Holy God,

Thank You! Praise You. We have better news on many health fronts. Thank You for Your presence Father. And for Your provisions.

Waking up singing ♪Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty…♪ has given me the opportunity to explore the origin of this unique hymn. And to look deeper into Your Word for its roots.

Familiar as I am to its reference of Revelation 4:8, thank You for having me look much deeper. Turning now to Isaiah 6.

Lord God, You never cease to amaze me. Praise You. Yes Lord, thank You for a different look at the origin of this hymn.

Isaiah 6. Isaiah’s Cleansing and Call The Life Recovery Bible offers comments for better understanding. Illustrated Bible Handbook states, “Seeing God, Isaiah also sees himself and realizes in horror that he is a sinful man living in a corrupt society (v. 5, cf. Job 42:4-6).

Turning at once to read of Job’s faithfulness, again I thank and praise You Lord. The hope that sparks every single time we recognize ourselves in Your Word is truly profound.

“Where Job had once only heard about God, here he actually saw Him - the loving, merciful, all-powerful, majestic Creator” (42:1-6 The Life Recovery Bible). This comment goes on telling of Job as “blameless” and “a man of integrity” before his suffering. And even greater afterward.

Thank You that the singing of a song can lead me to learning so much more. “God is good: He gives us good gifts, He works good from all things, and His intentions for us are always good (Romans 8:28). Suffering is a privilege when through it we grow closer to God (Philippians 1:29; 3:10).”

Yes Lord! Keep teaching us all You would have us learn through our circumstances. That we would come to turn it all to praise. Or not. Here again we get to read of the choices You give to Your people. From Isaiah and Job I turn to Exodus and Pharaoh’s hard heart.

Illustrated Bible Handbook “… The elders of Israel reacted to God’s self-revelation with belief, and worshiped (4:31). Pharaoh refused to believe and rejected (5:2)… The response to revelation is the choice of those who receive the revelation. God did not force the will of Israelite or Pharaoh.”

Oh God. Thank You that You encourage. Not force. Teach us to obey!

“In the same way that heat from the sun causes wax to melt and clay to harden, God’s revelation of Himself causes different responses in different individuals. Today as well some melt to Him and believe. And others harden.”

Oh most dear and Precious Lord Jesus, let this be a time that our hearts are softened and our beliefs set firmly on Your mercy, goodness and grace. I am asking (Matthew 7:7) that Your Holy Spirit use the seeds of hope that are being sprinkled throughout these present challenges to produce Your different kind of fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) in each of us.

A boxed and highlighted section in The Voice spells out the freedom to which You call us. “… we are done with the demands of the law; now we are free to live in the Spirit and to be truly right with God. As free people, the Spirit gives us the characteristics of Jesus; we, too, can freely love in joy and peace.”

Oh that we would choose to “have patience along with kindness and faithfulness that can only come from the Father.” Reflecting Your goodness. Operating with gentle self-control. Following You and living in the Spirit. Growing in faith. Belonging to You and walking daily in Your Spirit.

Mm, Lord. Do all You must that we will accept Your revelation, melt into You and believe. Lead us. Guide us. Teach us. Use us to Your good and to Your glory. We love You. We thank You. Amen.

(653 words ~ 7:23 a.m.)