Isaiah 61: Your Director

For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery for burnt offering;
I will direct their work in truth,
And will make with them an everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 61:8 (NKJV)

Before Jesus, God's priests interceded for His peoples’ sins with ceremonies, where they would sacrifice burnt offerings. They were  'A sweet aroma to the Lord' (Leviticus 1:9). (Consider the smell of meat on a grill.)

But the sweet aroma soon passed away, and the atonement was temporary. The stench of corruption always returned!

By the time Jesus arrived on the scene, most offerings were empty rituals– robbing God's people of the 'Bread of Life' (John 6:35)...

Which is a right relationship with God! So Jesus rightfully corrected them. 'Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice' (Matthew 9:13).

Even more: 'Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!... You have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faithfulness' (Matthew 23:23).

Therefore, consider:

  • Our Father disdains talk without action, trees without fruit, and manmade rituals.

  • He hates rules that separate His people from The Truth: personified by Jesus

  • So Jesus came to free us from all things that tie us to man, instead of to God.

'The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him' (John 4:23).

The curtain rises on actors, models, and talent for Christ: a roofless church starring Jesus-filled YOU!

Your lines? 'The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God' (courtroom witness oath).

How will God guide you into the right roles? Stop, look, and listen: 'Your ears will hear a Word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left' (Isaiah 30:21).

King David got it: 'Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a level path because of my foes' (Psalm 27:11). 'He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake' (Psalm 23:3). 'Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul' (Psalm 143:8).

THE Rock Star got it: 'I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My Own will but the will of the Father Who sent Me' (John 5:30). 'So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed' (Luke 5:16).

Now YOU get it, too:

  • God wrote and still directs Earth’s greatest show.

  • Jesus is Earth’s starting and closing Star.

  • YOU are His stand-ins and supporting cast.

  • The Holy Spirit is your topmost Coach.

  • The Word of God is your must-know Script.

  • Godly fellowship is your agency.

  • Prayer is your principle connection.

  • Love is your action. Truth is your method.

  • Salvation is your overriding theme.

  • Arts and Entertainment are your stages.

  • Lost people are your target audience.

Isaiah 61: Your Director (Part 9)

NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey ArbanComment