There is coming a day of restoration, and God will be glorified by all.
Today’s reading: Isaiah 34-36; Philippians 2
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Isaiah 35:1-2
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
No matter where we open and read in our Bibles, we are never far from the glory of God. His glory is proclaimed everywhere but between the fall of man and the final judgment man falls short of that glory. Contrary to popular culture, it’s not about me, it’s about God. Isaiah prophesied of a day of restoration when deserts would blossom and dry land would be refreshed. In that blessing of the earth, God’s glory would be seen.
The eastern United States just went through ten days of rain. In Virginia, our joy at seeing rain after weeks of drought began to give way to gloom as the cloud cover remained day after day and the ground was saturated. A flood took out a covered bridge that had stood for 100 years. We prayed for relief and safety from trees falling before expected high winds.
Then yesterday, here at Thistle Dew Farm, we woke to clear skies. Not a cloud could be seen. The sun shone brightly, drying up the mud and restoring the beauty of early autumn. I praised God and I’m sure I was not alone. God was glorified.
Jesus knew the suffering of becoming a human, a servant, and a prisoner. He knew condemnation and the unspeakable pain of flogging and crucifixion. He bore that to save His people from their sin. God exalted Him and glorified Him. One day every knee will bow and recognize His Lordship. This will bring glory to God the Father.
We live in a time characterized by fanatical self-worship. To be free, to be autonomous, to act however we please with no consequences, to be enraged that any one should call us to bow to God — these are the values of our day. But it’s not about us. It’s about Him. Be sure you are trusting in Christ for forgiveness and life. Do not let the day of restoration be your day of condemnation.
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