Isaiah 64:4, "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides Thee, who works for those who wait for Him." What does that mean??? ...to "wait" on Him?? I wanna know! For one reason I wanna know what it means to wait, because He promised to work for those who do! Sign me up! I will wait.....pray? pray some more?? trust? trust some more?? serve? serve some more?? It may be a combination of those, or it may be different in each circumstance. Sometimes the Lord tells me to continue praying (and I'm chomping at the bit!) and sometimes the Lord tells me to "Move!"....I must be ready, either way.
Perhaps the best way to demonstrate "waiting" is given by Isaiah, himself. The analogy of the Potter and the clay has always been so real to me. Knowing that I am in His hands, and that it's His plan what I become, and that it's His tools that are chosen, and that He does the choosing is a perfect lesson in humility for me. I am not in charge, nor am I in control. (Oh that's tough to even write!) Why is it that I struggle with letting Him mold me the way I know He wants to? Why does my foolish pride continue to make the clay collapse?? The tools He uses are sometimes painful! And, that splash of cold water He gives just when I begin to feel tough! (I feel a hymn coming on!) "Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still."
Oh, how I have enjoyed this book! The name, Isaiah, is similar to Joshua, Elisha, and Jesus.....it means "the LORD is salvation." This book is quoted more than 65 times in the New Testament, which is more than any other Old Testament prophet. Isaiah is also mentioned over 20 times in the NT! He prophesied during the time the kingdom was divided. As hard as it is to understand his language (very noteworthy, by the way) it is well-worth the extra effort with your dictionary in hand.
Law vs. Grace - I read that Isaiah gives more information than any other source in the Bible about the new heaven and the new earth. He gives great detail on the nations being judged in those first chapters. We read about the status of Jerusalem, and even get an idea of how nature will change and how the animals will be affected in the new Kingdom. The first 39 chapters spoke much about the judgement and character of God.....giving warnings and promises of justice. The last 27 chapters seem to focus more on comfort and redemption....introducing the Christ as Deliver of Israel. Chapter 53 is the unrivaled picture of Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb....saving the remnant.
The end of this book proves His faithfulness to me. I will trust Him. I want to be molded and shaped, only He knows my potential. Only He knows my worth. He made me, and is making me......I am twice His.
