He is certainly greater than you!

Audio Blog

Isaiah 29:13-16 NLT

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. Because of this, I will once again astound these hypocrites with amazing wonders. The wisdom of the wise will pass away, and the intelligence of the intelligent will disappear.” What sorrow awaits those who try to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their evil deeds in the dark! “The Lord can’t see us,” they say. “He doesn’t know what’s going on!” How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it, “He didn’t make me”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?
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God made you! He knows what you're made of. 

Indictment is one of the main works of the old testament prophet. God points his finger at people through the prophet. With the job of indictment comes the warnings of judgement and ultimately the plans of restoration.

God's people had flouted the purposes of God in the guise of following. We'd say they were talking out of both sides of their mouths.
In the name of God they oppressed the poor. In the name of God they promised people everything was alright, but everything wasn't alright at all.
It was a bit like the Catholic church's selling of indulgences during Martin Luther's time. People claiming to represent God, saying for a little bit of money you can offend God and break any rule you'd like.

"And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote."

I grew up in a time and place where supposedly knowing God could be summed up with this not so humorous little saying,  "I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't dance, I don't chew and I don't go out with the girls that do." (chew = as in tobacco)

It really had nearly nothing at all to do with knowing God.

God says through Isaiah, people think God can't see them. It's like a little child covering his eyes and declaring, "You can't see me!"

But God can see you. John in the gospel bearing his name says, "Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil."

The darkness cannot hide our hearts from God.

Paul writes to the Christians in Galatia, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap."

But let's be honest. We've all sown wild oats. We've all planted seeds of lust, greed, pride, self righteousness, and worst of all, indifference to God.

Are God's purposes your highest purposes? Or do you, like the people in Isaiah's day, think you can go your own way, do your own thing and God won't be bothered.

Who do we think we are fooling?

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For some reason this passage reminded me of a poem I once heard by C.T.  Studd. I've copied the poem for you to read below.

“Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

— extra stanza —

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”

C.T Studd

https://soundcloud.com/wkbode/consider-the-following-06

What lasts?

Proverbs 31:30 NLT

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

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The context of this verse has caused some to dismiss it as unattainable. But a further look into the whole of the Bible underlines the truth of this passage. Godliness is more important than beauty or charm.

The world around us values beauty far too much. And this fascination is especially unhelpful when you realise there is a contempt for the value of godliness.

Often the health and beauty industry touts longevity as the reason for looking great. Or we are encouraged to achieve a certain quality of life so we can enjoy it more. We want to look and feel great. We want to be charming and beautiful. Who wouldn't? People who are not charming and don't care for their appearance are the object of criticism. In fact, I'd go so far as to question whether we can really conceive of an ideal person (especially a woman), that we might aspire to be, considered "godly" who was not also charming and beautiful. We value charmingness and beauty so highly we can't conceive of godliness without it. Or if we can we do not desire it for yourselves, whether what we want in a man or woman.

Godliness is the goal. Fearing the Lord is the way.

Do you value godliness? What is it like? How well can you describe godliness?

We could discuss variations in beauty all day long. The nuances and words to describe beauty would and does fill books and magazines nearly infinitum. And to some extent, charm too, is a topic we are able to elaborate on extensively, from grace and deportment to conversation and knowledge.

But how extensive is your vocabulary describing what it means to be a godly woman?

How will do you know your goal?  What are its nuances?

It is interesting that we know so much about the two things that Proverbs says are of little value and at best fleeting.

But what do we know of godliness?

The sad thing is our image of beauty and charm are "photoshopped" beyond all reality and exist only in paintings, magazines and movies.

Yet it is this same unattainable argument used to diminished the image of a godly woman set out before us in Proverbs 31.

If Proverbs 31,isn't the poster image and goal of what becomes a godly woman what is?

Godliness should be our goal. And we should be well acquainted with it. Men should desire it. Women should aspire to it. Oh to be sure, men too should aspire to it and the Bible is replete with characters who serve as images of a godly man.

But man or woman, it is Jesus who sets the bar. And it is only Jesus who can make us able to achieve the goal.

How acquainted are you with Jesus? How much does your vocabulary and modelling reflect him as your object of admiration?
Is godliness your goal?
Is Jesus your model?

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Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.