Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Isaiah 26:10

Copyright Ó 2015 J. Neely
Isaiah 26:10

10 Let favour be shewed [chanan] to the wicked [rasha`], yet will he not [bal] learn [lamad] righteousness [tsedeq]: in the land ['erets] of uprightness [n@kochah] will he deal unjustly [`aval], and will not [bal] behold [ra'ah] the majesty [ge'uwth] of the LORD [Y@hovah].   KJV-Interlinear

10 If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the LORD.   ESV

In the previous verse, it is troubles that bring people to the Lord, not successes.  Troubles in the life serve to remind people of their flaws, of their limitations, of their weaknesses, or their ultimate dependence on someone greater than themselves.

Whereas, successes, do not accomplish the objective of bringing people to the Lord.

One would think, and certainly many complain, that they would love the Lord more, if only they had more.  But such is not the case.

It is the difficulties and frustrations of life that serve to bring the Lord before our eyes, more so than wealth or prosperity.

The prosperous generally fall away from their spiritual life, in their comfort and luxuries.  And often it is the successes of life that become the great enemy of ones ultimate spiritual success.

So, when problem after problem are seemingly coming at you endlessly, then look to that as a subtle blessing in disguise.  Or were it not for difficulties in life, then the Lord and ones eternal future would most likely be in jeopardy.

Why do we not all live in luxury and success?  Why do we not all win the jackpot?

Because those things would more often than not, destroy us, despite our opinions otherwise.

While success can be appreciated and the Lord praised for them, that is typically not the case.

Likewise, difficulties can become the source of complaints and the Lord blamed for them, but at least people will look to God when they are in need.  And even when life is a struggle, and when the complaints are too numerous to count, ultimately the struggles will drive people to Christ, more so than success would drive them to Him.

So, why are we not all blessed? Why does God not rain down prosperity on us?  After all we are believers in Christ, we are royal family of God, we are joint heirs of the new universe to come, we are royal priests and ambassadors, so do we not deserve a bit more favor, rather than stress?

And the answer is yes, but our favor comes in the form of training and learning and growth, and life and doctrine aid in that process.  Luxury does not.

Better to be poor and learn doctrine and see the Lord and all of His majesty, and have blessings beyond imagination for all of eternity, than to be wealthy now, and see nothing now, and have nothing for all of eternity.

And despite your assurances that you would not be that way, you are wrong.