Isaiah 23
Day two at Exponential East 2017 is about to begin. The Healthy Growing Churches pre-conference was insightful and the opening sessions at Exponential was excellent as always. Words of wisdom from many who have taken on the mantle of ministry, those who have crossed the line and accepted the call to vocational ministry with complete trust that God would provide.
One of the themes I heard between the lines was the need to be humble and get to work doing what God has called us to do. We need to put down the pride that easily invades the heart when God provides the answer to our prayers, when we find success as the world defines it. and we stop to marvel at the work of the Spirit as if we’re surprised!
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going,
when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
Acts 1:10
Albert Tate reminded us that it’s wonderful to marvel at what the Lord has done, the time has come for us to stop looking up at the sky and get to work!
Today’s reading from Isaiah shows us the mighty city of Tyre in ruins. From the great to the fallen; notoriously wonderful to publicly embarrassed.
The Lord Almighty planned it,
to bring down her pride in all her splendor
and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.
Isaiah 23:9
Tyre was critical to the success of Solomon’s building projects. Through these ports, massive amounts of materials flowed to Jerusalem to build the temple and palace over many years. The wealth and fame that accompanied such success will ultimately take them down. The wonder of such a great city will be put to ruin and “forgotten for seventy years” (Isaiah 23:15).
At the end of seventy years, the Lord will deal with Tyre. She will return to her lucrative prostitution and will ply her trade with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. Yet her profit and her earnings will be set apart for the Lord; they will not be stored up or hoarded. Her profits will go to those who live before the Lord, for abundant food and fine clothes. Isaiah 23:17-18
Lord, help us to be humble and get to work doing that which you called us to do. Help us to stop looking for fame and fortune during our temporary time on earth and simply do that which you have called us to do. Thank you for the joy that fills our hearts as we get to do your work here.
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