Losing God's Perspective (2)

Scriptural Text: Isaiah 58:8-14

God’s Reward For Those Who Don’t Lose Perspective

Obeying God—with Delight

“I wish I could mind God as my little dog minds me,” said a little boy, looking thoughtfully on his shaggy friend; “he always looks so pleased to mind, and I don’t.” What a painful truth did this child speak! Shall the poor little dog thus readily obey his master, and we rebel against God, who is our Creator, our Preserver, our Father, our Saviour, and the bountiful Giver of everything we love?—Christian Treasury.

C. H. Spurgeon, Feathers for Arrows, (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1870), 159.

Introduction: Part I Lessons

Unethical behaviour renders worship unacceptable (Is 58:4) See also Is 1:13–15; Eze 33:31; Zec 7:5; Zec 7:9–10; Mt 23:23; Tt 1:16

Isaiah 58:4 (ESV) — 4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high.

True worship is made possible (Is 58:6-7) See also Ps 24:3–4; See also Pr 21:3; Ho 6:6; Mk 12:33; Jas 1:27

Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Part II: Piety that honor and pleases God:

Honouring God

Giving the reverence and respect to God which is his due. All God’s people have a duty to honour him in every aspect of their lives, while unbelievers and even animals can also honour him.

God’s people must honour him (Ps 22:23) See also Mal 1:6; Mal 2:1–2; Jn 5:22–23

Psalm 22:23 (ESV) — 23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

We are going to examine the following:

The results of righteous behavior: God's promises (vv. 8-12) The importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy (vv. 13-14)

God's promises (vv. 8-12)

The promises of God reveal his particular and eternal purposes to which he is unchangeably committed and upon which believers can totally depend. These promises are, however, conditional upon obedience on the part of believers.

God’s promises are irrevocable

He has the power and will to fulfil his promises (Is 55:11, Ro 4:21)

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV) — 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Romans 4:21 (ESV) — 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.

He is faithful in keeping all his promises (Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14–15; 1 Ki 8:56; Ps 145:13; Heb 10:23)

Light and people of God

The people of God as the light of the world ( Is 58:8-10; Mt 5:14–16; Ps 37:5–6; Pr 4:18; Pr 13:9; Is 60:1–5; Is 62:1; Da 12:3; Lk 2:32; Ac 13:47)

Scripture often uses light as a symbol of the people of God, and especially the manner in which believers are able and required to reflect the glory of God in a dark world of sin.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV) — 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Psalm 37:5–6 (ESV) 5Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. 6He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

Acts 13:47 (ESV) 47For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

God’s blessing (Is 58:9-14) See also Dt 16:20; Dt 28:2; Ps 1:3; Ps 84:11; Is 56:1–2; Mt 6:18

Note, Particularly:

The importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy (vv. 13-14)

By keeping the Sabbath and religious feasts ( Isa 58:13-14; Le 19:30; See also Ex 20:8–11; Ex 12:42; Ex 31:12–17; Le 26:2; Is 58:13–14)

Leviticus 19:30 (ESV) — 30 You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

It shall be a delight: God as the source of delight

A sense of joy and pleasure, experienced especially through achievements or relationships.

Delight in the person of God ( Isa 58:13-14; Is 61:10; Ne 1:11; Job 22:26; Ps 22:8; Ps 37:4; Ps 43:3–4)

Isaiah 61:10 (ESV) — 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Psalm 22:8 (ESV) 8“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Psalm 37:4 (ESV) 4Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.