The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. (Isaiah 50:4b)
We have thought about what a "word that sustains the weary" looks like. Now, in the second half of Isaiah 50:4, we come back to the idea of learning. Specifically, learning from God. Jesus Messiah was prepared to speak words that brought life because He had learned.
The testimony of the Jesus Messiah is that He is awakened every day, "Morning by mourning he awakens." Every morning He received a fresh lesson for the day. And this was a continual exercise through life. Throughout Jesus’ life, every day, He was awakened by His Father to receive fresh instruction in the heart, mind and will of the Father for that particular day. D. A. Carson notes that "The element of reiteration in the phrase morning by morning suggests a lifelong attentiveness to God’s unfolding will." Every morning He was taught and so every day He was prepared with a word to give to others that would impart life.
Every day, I need to get refocused on God, His heart, mind and will. I need to receive my orders for the day. I am not one who insists that everyone must have their time of Bible study, worship, and prayer in the morning. But I am convinced that I, personally need to get refocused early in the morning.
Every day, I need to fight the battle against the flesh and my natural bent toward doing my own thing according to my own wisdom and understanding, and in my own strength. I know I need time with God early in the morning to reaffirm my absolute dependance on Him to think right, choose right, and do right that day. Because it is my duty and my passion to do what He wants and not miss any opportunities to glorify Him each day, it is necessary to begin my day by gaining laser-like focus on Him, His glory, and fulfilling all His plan for my day.
But there’s another aspect of this which D.A. Carson points out. This is a lifelong process. We will never learn enough that we don’t need to be taught.
I am regularly amazed as I study scripture at how much there is to learn and understand. I study passages thoroughly, believing I have gained a full understanding that has deeply impacted me, only to come back to that passage at some latter date to learn more. On top of that, lessons I have learned need to be relearned as I fall back to old patterns of thinking and behavior. And the more I learn and grow, the more I see my ignorance of the true glory and will of God. I need to learn . . . every day. And, no matter how much I learn, I will have much I need to learn until the day I die.
This reflection on Isaiah 50 is a perfect example of these truths. I thought I would spend about a week studying and reflecting on this passage. But each day, God leads me to discover more truth and principles to meditate on and put into practice in life. Day by day He awakens me to new truth.
Lord God, awaken me each morning and remind me that I need to hear from You . . . I need to be instructed by you for a new day. Refocus my mind . . . my heart . . . my will . . . to bring it in line with Your perfect mind, heart, and will. Teach me fresh truths from Your Word that I might think as You think. Let me never believe I have learned all I need to learn. This day,. I want to have laser-like focus on You. Oh God, help me . . . guide me . . . correct me . . . that I would do all that you want me to do today. And nothing more. Oh that I could lay my head down on my pillow tonight hearing from You, "You walked with me today and we did all I desired for My glory. Well done my son."
Soli Deo Gloria
Monday: The Awakening (Isaiah 50:4b)
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