“4 Things I Don’t Do”
Isaiah 12
4 In that day you will say:
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Do you ever find that it is hard to do the right thing sometimes? I do. Sometimes it is very difficult, even impossible to do the things that I know are right to do. When I am on the road, I drive right past the folks on the side of the road with the flat tire or the car trouble. I try not to make eye contact with the homeless guys at the freeway entrance. I act like I don’t see the needs of people around me. I pretend that there is not hurt and oppression. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I suck as a Christian and even a person.
The whole eleventh chapter of Isaiah is prophesy about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ and the twelfth chapter of Isaiah is prophesy about the reaction of those who claim his name. Now, as a follower of Jesus Christ and a Pastor, I read this chapter and I realize how far short I fall in my reaction to the salvation has been given to me through the atoning work of Christ on the cross.
Look closely at verse 4. What we see in this verse are four things that the Bible says we will do if we are followers of this messiah, followers of Jesus Christ.
- Give thanks to the Lord…
- Call on His name, rely on Him…
- Proclaim His name to the nations…
- Exalt his name…
Do you give thanks to the Lord? Do you stop and think about the amazing things that God has done and given to you? Or do you just exist in your life, living every moment for itself and never reflecting. Taking God for granted.
Check Out Romans 1:20 & 22
Do you rely on the Lord? Do you put your every need in His hands? Do you place your every care at His feet? Or do you walk this earth completely trusting in your own abilities? Ignoring all along the fact that you are broken.
Check Out Matthew 11: 28-30
Do you proclaim the name of Christ? Do you let others see the light within? Do you walk in such a way that others see Christ in you? Or do you walk your own path, doing your own thing, your own way? Continually blocking the testimony of your own faith.
Check Out Luke 12:8-9
Do you exalt the Lord? Do you lift Him up in your actions? Do you honor Him with your speech? Or do you say things and do things that bring disgrace to The Lord? Living according to the dictates of your own will.
Check Out Luke 19: 37-40
- Give thanks to the Lord…I take God for granted.
- Call on His name, rely on Him…I am self reliant.
- Proclaim His name to the nations…I keep quiet.
- Exalt his name…I bring disgrace.
How about You???
