Psalms 8:1 and 16:2.
My Shepherd met me in Isaiah 64, contemplating the verse I used last night for the evening message: Isaiah 64:1-2:
Isaiah 64:1 ¶ Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
Isaiah 64:2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
I spoke to the five principles of Divine Intervention.
This morning, I returned to Isaiah 64 and as I read, the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind at verse 4:
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
Paul referenced this verse in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things that God hath prepared for them that love him.” This verse is quoted often to inspire saints to anticipate the revelation of those things in the future. Few take into account the very next verse, which tells us God has revealed these things to us, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Consider verses 10-12:
1Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
1Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Paul brings this up again in his letter to the Romans:
Romans 16:25 ¶ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
Romans 16:26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Along the still waters, I reflected on Jesus’ parables of the kingdom where Jesus said He taught “things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 13:35; see Romans 16:25-26).
The mystery (means secret) of the partial blinding of Israel and ingathering of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25).
The hidden mysteries of the wisdom of God, ordained before the world unto “our glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-11).
The mystery of the rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), where we receive a body like unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).
The “mystery of his will” that He would “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him,” “that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ” (Ephesians 1:11-12).
The mystery of Christ, in other ages not made known, but “is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel” (Ephesians 3:4-6).
The “fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” to the intent that “now” — key word: NOW —“unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” providing to us “access with confidence by the faith of him” (Ephesians 3:10-12; see Hebrews 4:16). Which mystery is fully manifest in the “great mystery” of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32), the “mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
And finally, we come to the Spirit’s summary declaration of the mystery: “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY” (Colossians 1:26-27).
In the valley, I heard my Shepherd’s voice: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). I must bear the cross, willing to enter the “fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10), counting the “loss of all things … but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8). The fire in His eyes (Revelation 1:14) brightened, and I fell at His feet, seeing my vileness reflected in the mirror of His molten brass feet, I felt the contradiction of what I am in contrast to what He will make of me. How can “this” become “that”? It’s a mystery, indeed!
At the table, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. We went forward into the harvest, goodness and mercy following close behind.
Praying for revival! 🙏
Going live asap! (This livestream was interrupted. I had to complete the devotional in a second livestream. The Part Two link is provided below.)
0 Comments