Monday, November 12: Isaiah 54- God's word moves people to action.

The word of God is alive... Isaiah 54:2 particularly the second half of verse 2, launched the modern day mission movement. William Carey, the father of modern missions, preached his world changing sermon from verse 2-3: "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

As F. W. Boreham writes*: "At length, on May 31, 1792, Carey preached his great sermon, the sermon that gave rise to our modern missionary movement, the sermon that made history. It was at Nottingham. "Lengthen thy cords' — so ran the text — 'lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes, for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.'

'Lengthen thy cords!' said the text.

'Strengthen thy stakes!' said the text.

'Expect great things from God!' said the preacher.

'Attempt great things for God!' said the preacher."

As a result of that sermon a mission society was formed and Carey offered himself to be its first missionary.  

As I think about this, I am realizing anew the power of God's Word. If we will let it into our lives it will move us to action... action which blesses God by revealing the gospel message of Jesus to others. I am reminded of Jesus in His sermon on the mount: "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

We are salt and light. We are God's agents in the world that through our good deeds people will see God through us.

Lord, am I shining my light as brightly as You wish or am I hiding it under a bowl? Lead and direct me, Lord. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

* https://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/bcarey7.html

 

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