Isaiah 30:1 - God Is Sovereign Yet Bestows Free Will.
Isaiah 30:1: God Is Sovereign; Yet Bestows Free Will.
Isaiah 30:1 (NIV) "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the
LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an
alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;
Isaiah 30:1 (NLT) "Destruction is certain for my rebellious
children," says the LORD. "You make plans that are contrary to my will. You
weave a web of plans that are not from my Spirit, thus piling up your
sins.
Isaiah 30:1 (TLB) Woe to my rebellious children, says the LORD,
you ask advise from everyone but me, and decide to do what I don't
want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up
your sins.
COMMENTARY PEARLS
Compassion in Slow Motion
The timing is as critical as the involvement. You don't just
force your way in. Even if you've got the stuff that's needed even
if you hold the piece perfectly shaped to fit the other person's
missing part of the puzzle you can't push it into place. You must
not try.
You must do the most difficult thing for compassion to do.
You must wait.
Even if there is rebellion? Even if there's rebellion.
Even if sin is occurring? Yes, often even then.
Even if others are suffering and disillusioned and going
through the misery of misunderstanding, heartache, and sleepless nights?
Believe it or not, yes.
There are times (not always, but often) when the better part
of wisdom restrains us from barging in and trying to make someone
accept our help. The time isn't right, so we wait.
Even the Lord waits, as when Isaiah reported to the nation
whom the Lord called "rebellious children" (Isa. 30:1). These people
were rife with shame, reproach, unfaithful alliances, oppression, and
a ruthless rejection of God's holy Word. Their unwillingness to
repent added insult to injury.
But what was Jehovah's response? Hidden away in the first
part of verse 18 is the incredible statement: "Therefore the LORD
longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have
compassion on you."
Instead of storming into the dark alleys of Judah, screaming
"Repent!" and shining bright lights to expose the filthy litter of their
disobedience, the Lord tapped His foot, folded His arms and waited. Not
even the Lord pushed His way in. He waited until the time was right.
Our Lord would love to piece together the shattered fragments
of your life. But He is waiting graciously waiting until the
time is right.
Until you are tired of the life you are living until you
see it for what it really is.
Until you are weary of coping of taking charge of your
own life until you realize the mess you are making of it.
Until you recognize your need for Him.
He's waiting
God's timing is always on time.
Sometimes wisdom restrains us from barging in and making
someone accept our help. The time isn't right. [Chuck Swindoll
God is sovereignty and inevitably and without exception
accomplishes His will and purpose through free-willed agents acting freely
but responsibly. Man must be a free agent to be in the image of God,
and God must be immutable, i.e., unchanging, in order to be God
(Mal. 3:6). Permitting or overruling the acts of man without
infringing upon his freedom or interrupting his responsibility (e.g., the
brothers of Joseph in Gen. 37:26-28; 45:5) is an awesome expression of
God's providence. [Believers SB re Pro. 16:9]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120229-0751.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20071112-0037.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060918-0846.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
