Years ago, when we were young and in school, most of us assumed that merely putting in our time there would automatically enable us to acquire sufficient knowledge for effective management of life in this world. However, within our own brief lifespans, we have witnessed and experienced the reality about which Daniel prophesied (cf., Daniel 12:4) - the exponential increase of knowledge beyond our comprehension. This phenomenon has developed so rapidly that 20th-century thinking and learning are obsolete. Proverbs 23:12 advises us to “apply our hearts to instruction and our ears to words of knowledge.” I take this to mean that we are to engage in lifelong learning about everything - especially the principles and teachings of the eternal Word of God. As Churchill said – in the familiar surroundings of his old school at Harrow – “Never give in!” Yet, in this 21st century, many people seem not only to have abandoned the values of learning, but also – regarding the sum of biblical truth – exchanged their diminished learning for increased ignorance. I am amazed at how many people today proudly waste their time - their whole lives even - in pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, and other forms of passive nonsense. Proverbs 23:12-17 says, “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge … so that your hope will not be cut off.” We are warned to avoid the cut-off by learning directly from Him Who holds the knife in His hands.
Yesterday we pointed out the second “Servant of the LORD” song here in Isaiah 49, verses 1-7. Today we see the rest of Isaiah’s five special comforts that we mentioned earlier in chapter 40 (cf., September 17, Day 261 – Five Special Comforts). Verses 10-15 tell us that the Servant of the LORD’s second comfort toward us relates to “His compassion … which is like a mother who cannot forget the baby at her breast.” Then immediately after, in verse 16, Isaiah says that He comforts us a third way – by “engraving us on the palms of His hands” (verse 16). Here, we see that we are as close to the Servant of the LORD as a nursing baby is at its mother’s breast, and as near to Him as an engraving on His palms. How close is that? In verse 25, Isaiah says, “This is what the LORD says, ‘I will contend with those who contend with you.’” This fourth picture portrays a Defender – a Conqueror – One Who fights for us. A Defender is someone close who stands right before us. Finally, in chapter 50, we see the third Servant of the LORD song and the fifth comfort – that of a husband. He says, “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away?” (verse 1). Here, He reaches out to Israel like a husband reaching out to an estranged wife (cf., Hosea 3), and in chapter 51, He consoles her – “The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins” (verse 3).
We conclude our readings for today with chapter 6 of Galatians. Here, at the end of his letter, Paul tells us to restore a sinning brother “gently, being careful to watch ourselves because we also may be tempted” (verse 1). We are to “carry each other’s burdens to fulfill the law of Christ” (verse 2). The law of Christ is “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (cf., John 13:34). We have a responsibility to love one another so that “all men” may know that we are followers of Christ. Paul writes, “Let us not become weary in doing good … let us do good to all” (verses 9-10). Whereas, Churchill said, “Don’t give in,” the Apostle Paul advises us, “Don't give up” (verse 9). Perseverance and endurance – two sides of the same coin.
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