Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:43:41 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Mar. 14); BP: Rom. 9:6-29; RBTTY: Mk. 14:1-26; Dt.
March 14 “God’s Remnant”
“Isaiah also cries concerning Israel, ‘Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved—for He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.’ And, Isaiah said before, ‘Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have been as
Romans 9:27-29
Even when we feel like Elijah under the juniper tree (I Kings 19:1-4), we must remember we’re not alone and He’s not through with us yet (I Kings 19:15-18).
A remnant.
Throughout God’s Word we find His People always outnumbered and fighting an uphill battle. Although Noah was a Godly “preacher of righteousness, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:8; I Pet. 3:20; II Pet. 2:5), he still had nary a convert and entered the ark with just his wife, three sons and daughters-in-law.
Likewise, even King David—the great shepherd-king so mightily used by God—found himself on the run, hiding in a cave, mournfully writing/singing, “No man cares for my soul” (Ps. 142:4). And, who of us can forget how even the Lord Jesus Himself on the Cross forlornly crying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46) as He was “tempted in every way as we, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15)? Yet, in all of these situations the God, Who “never leaves us or forsakes us” (Heb. 13:5b) is faithful and “brings us unto our desired haven” (Ps. 107:27-30). Hallelujah!!
Paul’s quoting of the prophet Isaiah reminded his readers (and us) that God must judge sin. His perfect holiness and justice demand it; however, as the message of Hosea said, “There’s wrath in God’s love and love in God’s wrath.” That’s why the Lord inspired Jeremiah to write, “It’s by the Lord’s mercies that we’re not consumed because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). Glory!!
That’s also why “remnant theology” is present in every generation—for, as Isaiah said, after God’s judgment and the people’s repentance there comes a time of renewal and restoration (10:20-23). Those who remain shall form the new community of faith and prosper in that which the Lord intended all along (Dt. 4:27-31; 28:62-68; 30:1-10; Amos 5:14-15; Rom. 11:15).
During the times we find ourselves singing the “Psalm of Perplexity” (Ps. 73:1-16), we, like the Psalmist Asaph, must get alone with God (v.17) and allow Him to give us new perspective—about others and ourselves (vv.18-24). Only then can we cry with Asaph, “Whom have I in Heaven but Thee? And, there’s none I desire on the earth besides Thee” (v.25).
And, in the midst of it all we should also remember Isaiah’s prophecy (Is. 1:9; 10:23) and the Lord Jesus’ promise (Mt. 24:22) that the Lord will both “finish the work and shorten the days lest we end up like
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