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WHO CONFIRMS THE WORD OF HIS SERVANT

Text: Isa. 44:26-28 111107
11 November 2007

(I) SIGNIFICANCE OF REPEATED STATEMENTS OF THE OBVIOUS AUTHORITY OF THE LORD

“Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: ‘I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself’ ” Isaiah 44:24

(CF Isaiah. 44:2, 6 )

1. It represents the Lordship of God

2. It represents the power of the Lord

3. It represents the Lord’s authoritative word

(II) THE PROBLEM OF REJECTING THE AUTHORITY OF THE LORD’S WORD

Why did God have to say these things to the people of Israel again and again? It was because the people of Israel had rejected the authority of the Lord and His word. They did not give credence to the prophetic word.

1. The people of Israel had turned to useless idols

“Those who make an image, all of them are useless…” Isaiah 44:9

2. They were comforted by their false words

“For the idols speak delusion; The diviners envision lies, And tell false dreams; They comfort in vain…” Zechariah 10:2

3. God brings to nothing the words of the false prophets

“Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad;Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness” Isaiah 44:25

a) Frustrates the signs of babblers

b) Make Diviners crazy

c) Make wise men ashamed of their knowledge

(III) RE-DISCOVERING THE PROPHETIC WORD OF THE LORD

1. The Commencement stage – The Lord’s revelation of His word to His servant

“Surely the LORD GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The LORD GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” Amos 3:7-8

2. The Confirmation stage

a) The Lord verified that His word to be true

“Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers…” Isaiah 44:26

b) The Lord’s word would be accomplished

“So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

3. The prophetic future – Historically proven.

a) The restoration of the cities of Israel

“…Who says to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ To the cities of Judah, ‘You shall be built,’ And I will raise up her waste places” Isaiah 44:26

b) The changing of nature

“Who says to the deep, ‘Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers’ ” Isaiah 44:27

c) With reference to His special servant, Cyrus

“Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,’ And to the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ‘ “” Isaiah 44:28

(III) A PROPER REGARD FOR THE PROPHETIC WORD OF GOD’S SERVANTS TODAY

How can we have a proper regard for the prophetic words of His servants today?

1. Taking heed to the confirmed prophetic word

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” 2 Peter 1:19

2. Believe in the Lord’s prophetic word

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness…” 2 Peter 3:9

3. Seek to live holy and godly lives

“…what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” 2 Peter 3:11