For His Sake

Is. 48:11

For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

 

God was speaking to Israel telling them specific events, so that when they came to pass they would know it was His power and not that of an idol. Sadly, His chosen people were obstinate, stiff necked like an iron sinew with a forehead of brass. Ouch! What a description! The important thing is not for me to judge or criticize Israel for their disobedience and idol worship, but it is to look in my heart. Have I been obstinate and stiff necked toward God? Have I resisted His will and His purpose by being too planted in the world? Does submission and obedience characterize my life?

 

God could not smile at their idol worship, nor does He condone sin in my life. But for His name's sake, He deferred His anger. For the sake of His praise He restrained it for Israel so that He wouldn't cut them off. What mercy! It all was for His sake not for Israel's sake. The focus is totally on God, His character, His attributes, His name, and His great love. For me, He restrained His anger by sending His Son to cover my sin with His blood. And all this He did for the sake of His name! It couldn't be accomplished by me because it would bring glory to my name. It had to be by the Son so that the glory would be God's.

 

Speaking of Israel, He says, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. The furnace of affliction is a hard place to be, but one thing it does is to reveal how the world, its system, and its idols have no merit. Crying out to them will result in absolutely nothing! Thankfully, when the promises of the world are clearly seen as empty deceit, then His chosen ones will cry out to Him. He is bringing His children, including me, to a place where we can say wholeheartedly, but with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain...for it has been granted to you for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.  It is my calling and my privilege to suffer for His sake. How wonderful to suffer for Him instead of suffering because I am stiff-necked with a forehead of brass!

 

 

Why this grant? Why is suffering necessary? Why must God put me through the furnace of affliction?  For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. It is all for His sake, His plan, and His glory. When I am functioning sinfully, I am not bringing glory to Him. and since He cannot and will not give His glory to another, I must be purified. The way to practical purification is the furnace of affliction! This furnace burns away my love for the world and its conveniences. It reveals to me where my heart really is, and it draws me back to Him, the Father of all comforts. As I live each day, I need to ask myself who is getting the glory for what I am doing. In the very next verse God said, Listen to Me, O Jacob...Listening and obeying should be my modus operandi.

 

Father,

I am thankful for this furnace of affliction even though it hurts. I want to be close to You. I want to bring You glory, and I know I can only do this through Your grace. Open my ears that I might hear. Soften my heart and will so that I might obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen