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Unlocking the Truth - Self or Serve

God has a much different goal in mind.

Isaiah 58:6-7
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

This is the end game God has in mind. He wants to heal the broken-hearted, give to the poor, cover the naked and feed the hungry, which is the responsibility of the church, His people. That is our purpose—to be a shining light to the world.

Look what happens when we are a willing vessel for God, sacrificing our gifts, time, talent, money (or whatever the Lord tells us):

Isaiah 58:8
Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

Not only do the poor, hungry and oppressed get blessed, but we as the church are also blessed. We can’t help but absorb some of the blessing and glory of the Lord as it passes through our vessel (or heart).

When we lift others up, we are also lifted up. “And your righteousness shall go before you.” It’s like the old saying, “A rising tide raises all ships.”

When we get our focus off ourselves and our own station in life and put it on others instead, then we can’t help but be honored. This is the reflection of God’s righteousness.

This is how His righteousness goes before us—doing things for the right reasons—and then The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

We are safe and covered with His righteousness going ahead of us and His glory behind us. How can we lose?

We are healed as a community, and as nations, when we come together in Christ to serve others with the heart of Jesus.

Healing begins with the sacrifice of self, and the willingness to serve. We must “will it” before we “feel it”.

Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily.

We can’t lose with the glory of the Lord behind us. He is our rear guard. In Christ, we’re all winners.