Give God the Glory Isa. 42:8
INTRO.: Many large cities have computerized warning signs to alert drivers to hazards ahead. In 1976, these signs were installed in Pittsburgh when we lived there. I recall one occasion when we were on the parkway and a sign told us, ""Accident ahead - major delay - time 1:17. There was no other reason to believe there had been an accident, but we heeded the warning anyway and got off at the next exit to take another route to our destination. Returning about an hour later in the other lane, we found the sign had told the truth. There was a terrible traffic jam by that time and cars were lined up for miles. The new sign had provided a timely warning and saved us a great deal of time by letting us know what was ahead.
700 years before the coming of the Messiah, the prophet Isaiah told God’s people what was ahead for them. He didn’t have a computer or giant billboards, but he had the Holy Spirit of God and was able to predict the coming, character, and style of the Christ.
In the midst of his beautiful description of the Savior’s character, we find the claim of God in verse 8. The prophet is writing about God’s glory shown in the redemption of the race. Let’s look at the passage from the standpoint of giving glory to God.
I. Glorify him because He created the universe: v. 5
A. He created the heavens. Isa. 40:22
1. It was God’s creative power at work in Genesis one.
2. There was no man to help.
3. We have not even been able to reach beyond the nearest of God’s worlds.
B. "My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens;: Isa. 48:13
1. Gen. 1:1-9 is a statement of the power of God.
2. Men may move the earth, divert the streams, but the glory of creation belongs exclusively to God.
3. Men have only begun to understand His creation. They can never duplicate it.
C. He gives breath to all people. V. 5
1. "This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:" Isa. 44:24
2. Scientists have never been able to create life in spite of billions of dollars spent and billions of man hours. If they should succeed, they would only say, "This proves it! Life began as an accident."
3. We still argue about when life begins in the womb. We know nothing about it.
4. Give glory to God as the only originator and the only one who can even understand the creation.
II. He always keeps His promises. V. 6, 9
A. A covenant-keeping God, He kept His word to Noah. Gen. 6:17, 18
1. Flood came and Noah was saved just as He promised.
2. Gen. 9:11, 12 - another covenant with Noah. Never broken.
3. Breaking His Word is not in God’s nature.
B. He kept His word with Abram. Gen 17:1, 2
1. Even though Abram and Sarah both laughed at Him.
2. The baby was born. God kept His Word.
3. Not only in the promise of a baby, but in the establishment of the nation and more.
C. He kept His Word with Moses: Exod. 3:7, 8
1. Moses was filled with doubt but God was not deterred.
2. The people rebelled, Pharaoh resisted, but God kept His Word.
D. The coming of the Christ was also predicted:
1. Verses 1-4 of Isa. 42 describe Him and promise He will bring justice. There are hundreds of other passages.
2. God has always been righteous and will not change now.
3. He alone is worthy of glory because He alone is dependable.
4. In Christ, He has established and confirmed a final universal covenant with man. He will keep His end of the bargain. Will we?
III. He has provided for our redemption from sin.
A. The Redeemer is the servant of God in verse 1.
1. Phil. 2:7: He took upon Himself the form of a servant.
2. As God’s servant, He was perfectly obedient.
3. He was God’s chosen servant, God’s Spirit was in Him. God was always pleased with Him.
B. He acted always in kindness:
1. Didn’t incite crowds to riot.
2. Didn’t take advantage of His enemies’ weakness to destroy them.
3. In Matt. 12:18ff, the Pharisees were away from home and friends and at His mercy. Yet He does not permit unkindness.
4. How kind He is to us! Isa. 53:4, 5
C. He is persistent in His efforts to save: Isa. 42:4
1. There was much to discourage Jesus; temptation, opposition, fickleness, treachery, rejection.
2. But He persisted until He could say, "It is finished."
3. He enables His people to also overcome discouragement through His Spirit.
4. He promises ultimate victory even if the work is slow and hard.
CONC.: we can be successful and joyous in God’s work only if our goal is to glorify Him.
Glorify Him by: 1. Yielding to Him completely, 2. Halting our efforts to make life meaningful and successful on our own, 3. Giving ourselves in His service and to His glory.
