Today’s Reading, Isaiah 31-35
Focal Scripture: Isaiah 33:5 “The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.”
What gets the most attention in your life? You can determine this by what you exalt in your speech and in your actions. When something is exalted it is brought up or even given a place of prominence. It literally means to hold someone or something in high regard, to think or speak highly of it all the time. By definition whatever this is in your life has top priority.
In today’s reading the Lord is exalted by Isaiah. Why? Because he dwells on high and fills cities with justice and righteousness. Isaiah is stating that the Lord should be exalted because of his character traits. These traits are so wonderful that they bring Isaiah to a place of worship and reflection. Isaiah has been getting the word directly from God. He has seen and heard how God loves and leads. He has spoken to the people the very words of life and judgement. Isaiah knows that if anyone deserves to be exalted it is God.
So do you exalt the Lord in your life? Does he consume your thinking and your actions? I ask these questions because to often people play the religious game with their faith. They claim to be spiritual or even believers but everything about their life says that is not true. For instance, if you claim to be a Christ follower and yet your speech is more focused on gossip you’re missing the point. In that moment you are exalting sin more than God. Or maybe your speech is such that you use coarse or foul language. When you do you’re not exalting the Lord.
So how can this be combatted in the life of a believer? You must change the way you think and talk. God and his character must be the focus of your speech not other people. To truly exalt the Lord you must know the Lord on a very intimate level. Far too often professing believers have learned the lingo of faith but never possessed their faith. They have learned to exalt themselves instead of the Lord.
So today I challenge you to examine what you exalt. Is it your wants and needs or is it the Lord. Take time today to write out what the Lord has done to be exalted. Focus on him and watch how it changes your life and your thinking. Being more God focused brings new life and passion to everything that you do daily.
Exalt the Lord, he is worthy.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Isaiah 36-39
