Isa 33:5-6 … Though the LORD is very great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure. NLT
God sent Isaiah to warn the people to do neither. The key to their salvation was to trust in the Lord, not man. The Lord would provide the stability they needed, when all seemed lost
In Isa 33:5-6 we find one such exhortation to put their trust in the Lord. Scripture speaks of wisdom and knowledge of the Lord as "the foundation of your times"
Though we are removed from the days of Isaiah by thousands of years. The counsel given by him still rings true! In troubled times, the Lord provides "The Foundation Of Your Times"!
I. THE UNSTABLE CONDITIONS OF TODAY
A. WE FACE MANY DISTURBING THINGS IN LIFE...Many are common in every age
(Job 14:1) "Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. (Sickness, Death, Natural disasters) Some may be peculiar to our day and age. (Threat of biological war,
B. THE AFFECT SUCH THINGS CAN HAVE... For some, there is anxiety and fear. Others react with depression. Even Christians can be affected as we murmur and complain or simply exist in a state of "joylessness"
C. YET SOME ARE NOT DISTURBED … Even though they experience the same things which devastate others The same financial crises, diseases, uncertainties…Somehow they still find cause for great joy and stability in their lives!
It is the LORD who provides our foundation for troubled times!
II. THE FOUNDATION BY THE LORD COMES THROUGH WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE... "Wisdom and knowledge will be the foundation of your times"
A. WISDOM will also guide and protect you from the pitfalls of life.
Prov 2:1-7… My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; Wisdom will provide comfort and confidence in times of turmoil
Prov 3:21-26… Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, God is willing to provide such wisdom to those willing to look to Him! –
James 1:5-8… If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
B. Our stability of the times also comes through SALVATION...Salvation is a clear issue frond in scripture but we tend to be like the "Frank and Ernest" cartoon in which: A lawyer and his client are sitting in the law office and the client says to him, "The question of right and wrong is very clear. I want you to cloud it up for me."
The salvation of the Lord can help us face DEATH
If we know the Lord will save us in eternity, we can better face the adverse circumstances of this life.
Consider the example of Paul:
1) He had a strong hope
(2 Cor 5:1,5-8) For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
2) His attitude because of that hope
(2 Cor 4:16) Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(Rom 8:31-39) What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
YES, the wisdom, knowledge, and salvation found only in the Lord provides the foundation we need for our times!
III. THE KEY TO THIS FOUNDATION IS "THE FEAR OF THE LORD"
(Prov 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. NKJV
(Prov 9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
Why is the fear of the lord so necessary...
1. "...by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil."
(Prov 16:6) By loving kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.
The fear of the Lord is a reverence for God and His righteous judgments This fear becomes an effective motivation to depart from evil and turn to God!
"In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence...a place of refuge."
(Prov 14:26) He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
When we turn to God, the fear of the Lord becomes a source of great blessings!
(Ps 33:18-34:1) But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
Such as wisdom, knowledge, salvation, confidence, refuge; indeed "the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life"!
(Prov 14:27) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.
~Bits and pieces of Sermon by Larry Elder
WORD WEALTH (NSFLB)
Isaiah 33:6 (times) 'et (eht); Storng's #6256: A particular time; season, age, occasion, or some period of time; current times. Unlike 'olam, which refers to a vast expanse of time, 'et is used to describe a small space of time. 'Et can be a season, such as Passover season, rainy season, harvest season (see 2 Chr. 35:17; Jer. 51:33; Zech. 10:1). It may refer to a portion of a lifetime, "time of old age" (Ps. 71:9). (See also "time of trouble," "time of love," and "evil time." Ps. 37:39; Exek. 16:8; Amos 5:13.) 'Et occurs 290 times. The present reference speaks of the stabilizing force God will provide to the believers, even in the midst of the uncertain times of the present age.
PRAYER: Godly Wisdom in the Affairs of Life
Father, You said if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of You, Who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Therefore, I ask in faith, nothing wavering, to be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Today I incline my ear unto wisdom, and I apply my heart to understanding so that I might receive that which has been freely given unto me. In the name of Jesus, I receive skill and godly wisdom and instruction. I discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight. I receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity. Prudence, knowledge, discretion, and discernment are given to me. I increase in knowledge. As a person of understanding, I acquire skill and attain to sound counsels [so that I may be able to steer my course rightly]. Wisdom will keep, defend, and protect me; I love her and she guards me. I prize Wisdom highly and exalt her; she will bring me to honor because I embrace her. She gives to my head a wreath of gracefulness; a crown of beauty and glory will she deliver to me. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor. Jesus has been made unto me wisdom, and in Him are all the treasures of [divine] wisdom, [of comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden. God has hidden away sound and godly wisdom and stored it up for me, for I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, I will walk in paths of uprightness. When I walk, my steps shall not be hampered — my path will be clear and open; and when I run, I shall not stumble. I take fast hold of instruction and do not let her go; I guard her, for she is my life. I let my eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and my gaze is straight before me. I consider well the path of my feet, and I let all my ways be established and ordered aright. Father, in the name of Jesus, I look carefully to how I walk! I live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as unwise and witless, but as a wise — sensible, intelligent — person, making the very most of my time — buying up every opportunity. Amen.
Scripture References: James 1:5,6 1 Corinthians 1:30
Colossians 1:9 Colossians 2:3 AMP
Proverbs 2:2 Proverbs 2:7 AMP
Proverbs 1:2-5 AMP 2 Corinthians 5:21
Proverbs 4:6,8,9 AMP Proverbs 4:11-13,25,26 AMP
Proverbs 3:16 AMP Ephesians 5:15,16 AMP
©2011 Word Ministries, Inc.
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