RETURNING TO GOD

“In that day a man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel!" (Isa. 17:7 NKJV).

Our verse, given in the midst of a judgment passage in Isaiah, describes men returning to God. Both the prompter of the return and the particulars of the return are recorded in our verse.

Prompter of the return – “In that day.” The phrase “in that day” refers to the day or time of judgment. Here in our verse it speaks of when man finally returned to God. In context, it was a time of affliction on the people for their sins. This affliction brought them to their senses and they turned back to God. Often God uses affliction to bring folks back to Himself. However, God does not afflict us because He is cruel or unjust; rather He afflicts us to save us from destroying our lives through evil living. If we fail to return to God when affliction comes, He may afflict us even more harshly.

Particulars of the return – “A man will look to his Maker, and his eyes will have respect for the Holy One of Israel.” Two important truths of this return are stated in this verse. Firstly, looking to the Lord: “A man will look to his Maker.” Returning to the Lord was to look to God for help. It shows trust in God. Today, nations look to their military might in time of need rather than to God. However, judgment will help us look to the Lord. When you are beset by problems, where do you look for help? Do you run to the nearest telephone and call a friend? Or do you look t o God in prayer, seeking His help? Secondly, lauding of the Lord: “Have respect for the Holy One of Israel.” This speaks of worship and praise for God. When a man returns to the Lord, he will return to worshipping and to honoring the Lord. Folks today are not doing well in either category today. And it will take judgment to bring folks back to worshiping and honoring God.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“He pleases God best who trusts Him most!”

Anonymous Word Study

Discern

In Heb. 5:14 we read, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV).

Discern is the Greek word diakrisis (διάκρισις = dee-ak'-ree-sis). It is made up of two words: “diá” which means separation, between, and “krino” which means decide, judge. Thus, the word describes the ability to evaluate and decide or to clearly discern. Literally, diakrisis means to distinguish between or making a judgment between two things.

In classical Greek, diakrisis means to differentiate, discern, and assess in the sense of judgment or judging through with the goal of rendering an impartial decision. In the Septuagint diakrisis means to make a distinction, examine, choose, and render judgment in the sense of dispensing justice. In the New Testament, diakrisis carries the idea of differentiating between good and bad, as well as the discerning of spirits (1 Cor. 12:10). By living and obeying the truth of God’s Word, believers will be able to make spiritual judgments in order to save themselves from moral and doctrinal dangers.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah will open blind eyes (Isa. 42:7)

New Testament Fulfillment – John 9:25-38

Did You Know…

In the Bible, it states that Jesus said, “I AM the True Vine” (John 15:1, 5).

Bible Quiz

What sin did Jesus say “will not be forgiven?”

**Answer to last week’s trivia: Who was the mother of Abraham’s first son? Hagar (Gen. 16:1-4)

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

“Pocket has holes in it”

“You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (Hag. 1:6 NKJV).

“Pocket has holes in it” - The expression “pocket has holes in it” carries the idea of spending and not saving. In context, the people were not being blessed because of their selfishness and lack of commitment to God. We need to be careful of taking care of ourselves while ignoring the work of the Lord. Only when we put God first will He provide the personal satisfaction and material necessities that we need (cf. Matt. 6:33). The Bible encourages us to give to the Lord and trust Him for all that we need (2 Cor. 8:9). It pays to serve the Lord.

Did You Know – Christian History

Kagawa Toyohiko was born July 10, 1888 in Kobe, Japan. He was a Christian social reformer, author, and leader in Japanese labor and democratic movements which focused attention on the poor of Japan.

Toyohiko Kagawa was born into wealth, but both parents died when he was very young. As a teenager he became a Christian under the influence of Presbyterian missionaries and was baptized. He took theological training at Kobe and at Princeton University. After almost losing his life to an illness, he vowed to help the poor.

During Japan’s transition to Capitalism, there were great upheavals and the common laborers suffered much during this time. Kagawa then moved into a slum in order to witness to the people. He slept in cell-sized hovels sometimes holding the hand of a murderer. He shared himself with all in need. More than that, he organized Japan’s first labor and peasant unions. With the coming of Communism he increased his emphasis on the Kingdom of God. His activism convinced the government to rebuild slums.

Kagawa is recognized as a successful author. While in prison in 1921-1922, he wrote a best-selling autobiographical novel, Across the Death Line and another Before the Dawn. His other writings include several pamphlets and meditations. He spent the revenue from his books on relief of the poor while he and his family subsisted on a small monthly salary.

For Kagawa, the cross symbolized the power of the love of Christ and the power of suffering for righteousness sake. His theological focus was on the redemptive love of God, manifested in the life of Jesus Christ. Kagawa was known more as a Christian social reformer than as a religious leader both in and out of Japan, but he was fundamentally an evangelist throughout his life.

In spite of a heart condition, Kagawa continued writing, preaching, overseeing projects, and hosting guests. His condition worsened throughout the years with him eventually dying on April 23, 1960 at the age of 71 in Tokyo, Japan. He was posthumously awarded Japan’s highest honor, the Order of the Sacred Treasure. One year after Kagawa’s death, 103 doctors, professors, patients, workers, writers, teachers and acquaintances issued a two-volume Biography of Kagawa. Each contributed an essay.

A Little Humor

A little girl finally got to attend a wedding for the first time. While in the church, the girl asked her mother: “Why is the bride dressed in white?” The mother replied to the girl: “because white is the color of happiness and it’s the happiest day of her life today.” After a little bit, the girl looks up at her mother and says: “But, then why is the groom wearing black?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Every person faces this choice - Christ or condemnation!”