husband – Fearless Living

I am excited to continue in Isaiah as there is so much yet to be learned and discovered! I pray you will continue with me on this journey. After the 4th and final Song contained in Isaiah containing a vivid description of our Savior, Jesus, Isiah continues in his words of encouragement from God to the people of Isael. God knows that they will need these words as they languish in exile in Babylon. In Isaiah 54 we find words to build up Isarel as God knows they will be feeling discouraged, ashamed and downtrodden when they reflect on their sin and disobedience towards God and the time they spent in Egypt and in Babylon.

Isaiah 54:4-5 “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
    Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
    and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
⁵For your Maker is your husband—
    the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
    he is called the God of all the earth.

These verses are filled with truths that are timeless and can be applied to our lives today. The Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, can cover my shame and alleviate the pain that it causes. He can cause me to forget things from my mind so that I will no longer dwell on them. Both of these are priceless promises that can and do help me to live for Him for today and not be stuck in the past. God did not want the Israelites to mourn and be consumed with their past failures but to look forward and let Him carry the past pain. He desires the same for you and me today.

In verse 5 God lists for me the roles He desires to exercise in my life if I will turn to Him and trust Him. He promises to be my Maker or Creator, Husband or loving caretaker, companion, Almighty God who is the all-powerful one in my life and world, Holy One who is pure and spotless, Redeemer, Savior or the one who went to the cross to save me so I can be in a relationship with Father God, and Sovereign God who is above all, in all, completely in charge so that nothing escapes His power and might.

I would echo the words of David from Psalm 89:8 “Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.” God is the one and only God and only He can take care of you perfectly. I love Nahum 1:7 and claim it often, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,” As you ponder these verses today, may the Lord show you how He is your Creator, Husband, Almighty God, Redeemer and Sovereign Lord.

Linda

Colossians 3:18-25 is a good housekeeping passage. Paul explains ‘best’ case actions and reactions in relationships. Here is the passage from the Message translation. (The Master is the Lord God, the master is the owner of the household or your employer.)

Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the Master. ¹⁹Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. ²⁰Children, do what your parents tell you. This delights the Master no end.²¹Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. ^22-25Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.“

All relationships are to be done keeping Christ in mind. He is the head of the family and all work, actions, deeds and words need to be done to honor Christ. Yesterday’s passage summed it up beautifully in Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Whether you are the wife who is called upon to honor and show respect to her husband, the husband who is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church, the child who is called to obey their parent, the slave or worker who is called to do good work for your employer, all relationships are to be done to the Lord. Our point of view needs to be, we do everything for Christ. Our relationship with Christ guides all our words and deeds, as His ways are for our good and His glory!

This point of view comes into direct opposition to the world view of me first, my way, looking out for number 1-ME. Christ’s way has us put Him first. Earlier in this chapter Colossians 3:1-2, Paul said, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. ²Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Keeping this perspective is pleasing to God and leads us act according to Micah 6:8 ” O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I am called to live a life that is honoring to Christ by giving my best in all I say and do.

Linda