“All of us have wondered at times why God doesn’t do more to fix our problems. But our human eyes often fail to see that God isn’t rushing to change our circumstances because he is concerned with a much more serious problem – our character. While you struggle with the woes of this world, God’s main occupation is preparing you for the world to come. The focus of what God is doing in your life takes place in you, not around you” (Andy Stanley).
God transforms and multiplies disciples by removing obstacles, bringing righteousness and strength, setting captives free, destroying wrong thinking, refining His people and leading people in the right way. Through this process, people experience peace leading to multiplied disciples.
God Transforms People
God told His servant Jacob whom He chose and helped to not fear since He poured water on thirsty land and streams on dry ground. He poured out His Spirit and blessing so His descendants understood they belonged to Him. Israel was His witness to proclaim that there was no other God or Rock than Him. Those who made idols were blind, ignorant and shameful. The idols they treasured were worthless. Craftsmen, blacksmiths and carpenters shaped idols in the form of man in all his glory to worship them as their god. They misunderstood that a block of wood could not save them. Their heart lied to them since they could not save themselves. Israel must return to God since He redeemed and swept away their sins like a morning mist. He displayed His glory through creation. God overthrew false prophets and the learning of the wise. He fulfilled His servants’ predictions. God restored the ruins in Jerusalem and Judah. He directed Cyrus as His shepherd to rebuild Jerusalem and lay the foundations of the temple (Is. 44:1-28). God displays His glory in transforming people by revealing the worthlessness of idols.
God Removes Obstacles
God used Cyrus to subdue nations and open doors. God went before Israel to level mountains, break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. He gave them riches stored in secret places so they would know the true Lord. He called them by name, bestowed a title of honor and strengthened them even though they did not acknowledge God. He showed the whole earth that there was no other god except the Lord who formed light, created darkness, brought prosperity and created disaster. God rained down righteousness so salvation would spring up. The clay cannot say to the potter, “What are you making?” or to his parents, “What have you brought to birth?” God made the earth and created mankind upon it. He raised up Cyrus to rebuild Jerusalem and set His exiles free. The products of Egypt and merchandise of Cush would be theirs when people saw God was with them. The makers of idols were shamed and disgraced, but Israel would have eternal salvation without shame or disgrace (Is. 45:1-17). God removes obstacles and opens doors in providing financial resources so the world can be saved.
God Brings Righteousness and Strength
God created the heavens and earth to be inhabited. He did not want Jacob’s descendants to seek Him in vain. The righteous God and Savior called the earth to turn to Him and be saved. Every knee and tongue would bow saying that in the Lord alone was righteousness and strength. Everyone who raged against Him would be shamed, but in the Lord all Israel’s descendants were found righteous and exulted (Is. 45:18-25). God enables His disciples to seek Him for righteousness and strength.
God Sets Captives Free
The idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo, were unable to rescue them from the weary burden and captivity to sin. God carried, sustained and rescued Israel from birth through old age. Comparing God to riches was futile since it could not save them from their troubles. He used men to fulfill His purpose planned from the beginning of time. His righteousness was near and would not be delayed as He granted salvation and splendor to Israel (Is. 46:1-13). God works through His people to set captives free from sin.
God Destroys Wrong Thinking
Babylon would no longer be called tender, delicate or the queen of kingdoms. God took vengeance, exposed her nakedness and uncovered her shame. He was angry with His people and gave them into Babylon’s hand. They showed no mercy with Israel and even laid a heavy yoke on the aged. Babylon lounged in security not knowing that widowhood and loss of children would occur on a single day. They trusted in wickedness and were misled in their wisdom, knowledge, self-sufficiency, magic spells and sorceries. Wrong counsel wore them out. They could not, along with anyone else, save themselves from the power of the flame (Is. 47:1-15). God exposes and destroys wrong thinking and self-sufficiency.
God Refines His People
Israel invoked God’s name without truth and righteousness.
They called themselves citizens of the holy city but were stubborn like a bronze forehead. God announced new things before they happened so they could not say their idols ordained them. He tested and refined them in the furnace of affliction for His own name’s sake. The Lord’s chosen ally carried out His purpose against Babylon that God made successful (Is. 48:1-15). God tests and refines His people in the furnace of affliction for His name’s sake.
God Leads People In Right Way
God taught Israel what was best and directed them in the way they should go. Their peace would be like a river and righteousness like the waves of the sea if they listened to His commands. Their descendants would be like sand and their name maintained before God. Announce their flight from Babylon with shouts of joy saying the Lord redeemed His servant Jacob. God led Israel and made water flow from the rock in the deserts. There was no peace for the wicked (Is. 48:16-22). God leads His people in the right way to experience peace and multiply disciples.
Ask God to transform and multiply disciples among yourself, family members and friends through the following process:
1. God reveals His glory by revealing the worthlessness of idols
2. God removes obstacles and opens doors in providing financial resources so the world can be saved
3. God enables His disciples to seek Him for righteousness and strength
4. God works through His people to set captives free from sin
5. God exposes and destroys wrong thinking and self-sufficiency
6. God tests and refines His people in the furnace of affliction for His name’s sake
7. God leads His people in the right way to experience peace and multiply disciples
