Remember This and Stand Firm
“Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
(Isaiah 46:8-11)
***
There is only one ruling authority
in heaven and on earth:
no vote,
no royal succession,
no political process,
no will of the people,
no election,
no inauguration.
This authority has always
and will forever rule.
The kings of earth rule
by his will alone.
Kingdoms rise and fall
according to his command.
No human king is independent.
No human king is sovereign.
The will of kings is bound
by the will of the King of kings.
The Lord of lords bows to no one.
The Lord of lords answers to no one.
The Lord of lords has no peer.
The Lord of lords has ultimate authority.
The Lord of lords has unlimited power.
The Lord of lords has infinite wisdom.
The Lord of lords is perfectly holy.
The Lord of lords wills and it is done.
The Lord of lords commands our worship.
The Lord of lords is worthy to be feared.
Nations fade,
kingdoms fall,
the word of the Lord is forever.
Your hope is not found in human power.
Your security is not found in human rule.
Your future is not sure by any man’s authority.
Politics will fail you.
Governors will disappoint you.
The promises of human kings will come up empty.
There is but one forever Kingdom.
There is but one eternal King.
There is one will that will be done.
Hope in the King of kings will never disappoint.
Hope in the King of kings will never fail.
Hope in the King of kings is sure and secure.
Hope in the King of kings brings peace and joy.
Hope in the King of kings brings life.
In a world that has been broken by sin,
true hope is found by looking up
to the royal throne room of the one whose will will always be done.
On the Throne of thrones sits the King of kings,
the Sovereign of sovereigns,
who will finally restore what sin has destroyed.
His rule is your hope and the ultimate hope of all who believe.
Your hope is a precious commodity:
be careful where you invest it.
Your love is a holy possession:
watch who you give it to.
Your worship is your highest calling:
be strict about who you bow to.
Your heart is a treasure:
don’t give it away easily.
Your mind is an amazing tool:
don’t surrender it casually.
You were made to surrender your
hope
love
worship
heart
mind
to the Authority of authorities,
to the Sovereign of sovereigns,
to the King of kings,
to him who is infinite and eternal,
to the wise and holy one,
to the one who holds redemption in his hands.
And in surrendering
there and there alone
is life.
God bless,
Paul David Tripp
(Now, go back and read Isaiah 46 in its entirety to be further reminded and encouraged!)
The Idols of Babylon and the One True God
Bel bows down; Nebo stoops;
their idols are on beasts and livestock;
these things you carry are borne
as burdens on weary beasts.
They stoop; they bow down together;
they cannot save the burden,
but themselves go into captivity.
“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;
even to your old age I am he,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.
“To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
and compare me, that we may be alike?
Those who lavish gold from the purse,
and weigh out silver in the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
then they fall down and worship!
They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,
they set it in its place, and it stands there;
it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
or save him from his trouble.
“Remember this and stand firm,
recall it to mind, you transgressors,
remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
I have purposed, and I will do it.
“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart,
you who are far from righteousness:
I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off,
and my salvation will not delay;
I will put salvation in Zion,
for Israel my glory.”