Title: Look for Me (Isaiah 45:1-25)
Content: Sometimes people do not understand God's revelations. Although Cyrus was a Gentile, he became an instrument of God's use. The text shows that God is not only the God of the Jews, but also the God of all Gentiles who have sovereignty over heaven and earth. The fulfillment of Hanani through King Cyrus was to show that Jehovah God was the only true God. It is as if unbelievers were chosen to become servants of the Lord.
1. The greatness of Jehovah (8-10) Humans cannot dispute God's sovereignty because humans are like earthen vessels.
There is no tree that can challenge God's righteousness, and no one doubts the work of creation that brings salvation. Martin Luther said that only faith and only grace exist in man. Man is created in the image of God. The ethic that God has given to man is therefore the ethic of “righteousness.” The Christian ethics is to accept this “ethics of righteousness” and to show that righteousness in our lives.
2. Limitations and Transcendence (11-17) Humans do not know the limit. So, shamanism was born. However, idols cannot give the right answer. Only the revelation of the living God can reveal the future. The reason we should ask the Lord for the way of our lives is because all the ways are with God.
(John 16:13) But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but will speak what he hears, and will make known to you things to come (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Lord is the Spirit, and the Spirit of the Lord Wherever you are, there is freedom (Romans 10:11) The Bible says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” The future belongs only to God. In it is the way, freedom, and righteousness.
3.Look at me (18-25) Since ancient times, humans have prayed to idols for salvation. Those who accepted God's invitation to salvation experienced the happiness of salvation through righteousness. Why should we wait for God? 1) To avoid becoming ignorant. (20)-The Bible calls ignorance a sin. The devil is the father of lies, who deceives the truth. And he wants to forsake righteousness and honesty. Therefore, bowing down to idols is ignorance. As we long for God, we are set free from ignorance and become truly wise men in Christ.
2) In order not to fall into sin. (22)-Angmang means ‘to look back’.
A saint can turn from his sin and look to the Lord so that he does not fall into sin.
When the saints do not actively look to the cross of the Lord, it is easy to fall into sin. There must be a 'desire' to deny oneself every day.
3) In order not to be put to shame (24) - Only shame remains in the end of the wicked. But the favored and the justified are never put to shame. At the time of Cyrus, Israel boasted of the Lord, and was not put to shame or disgrace. Therefore, those who admire the Lord are like eagles flying up on their wings.
4. Determination and prayer 1) Let only the Lord wait in the grace of the Lord 2) For the children (Hyo-dong Jang, Ji-hyeon Lee, Eun-ji Lee. For interview and follow-up ) 3) For the growth and revival of the church