This morning we continue our series entitled, “Refined Focus”, with an emphasis on “Focusing on God’s Finished Work”. Yesterday we started to take a look at the prophet Isaiah. We looked at the first verse of Isaiah chapter 49 where the prophet said, “Listen to me, all you in distant lands! Pay attention, you who are far away! The LORD called me before my birth; from within the womb He called me by name.” Today we will also look at verse 5. Four verses later Isaiah said, “The Lord is the one who made me in my mother’s womb, so that I could be his servant. He wanted me to lead Jacob and Israel back to him.”
So what does this mean to you today? What we will do today is look at a few things Isaiah knew about himself and his God, and seek to glean a few golden nuggets from Isaiah’s revelations.
1. Isaiah knew that God knew him before he was born.
a) He knew God knew him by name before his parents gave him a name.
b) He knew God called him from his mother’s womb.
c) He knew he was not a mistake and that he was on this planet for God’s divine purpose.
d) When you know what Isaiah knew you live your life with purpose and vision, by grace.
2. Isaiah knew he was on this planet to be God’s servant.
a) He knew his life was not his own.
b) He knew he was not on this planet to simply suck-in and blow-out air, have a little fun, and then die.
c) He knew he was in the earth to bring glory to the one who brought him here.
d) When you know what Isaiah knew you live every day focused on bringing glory to God. You work, but you don’t work like you are working for man. You know you are working God. You do everything with a spirit of excellence because you represent the God who sent you to the earth for His divine purpose.
3. Isaiah knew his assignment was to lead Israel back to God.
a) He knew what he was called to do, so he did not focus on anything.
b) If you don’t know your purpose you can wander aimlessly through life, existing, but not truly living.
c) When you know your purpose your heart will be attuned to receive God’s vision and you will live your life with focus and clarity.
Closing Confession: Father, this is a season of refined focus for me. I bring my life into focus in 2016. I know that You knew me before the world began. I know I am not a mistake. I know I am on this planet for Your divine purpose. I know I am here to bring glory to Your name. My life is not about me or my selfish desires. My life is about You and my divine purpose. So I enter this day and every day focused on bringing glory to Your name. I declare that I engage in every meeting, conversation and activity with a spirit of excellence, because You are excellent and I represent You. I am here to do Your bidding, to represent Your Kingdom, and to fulfill Your purpose. I live my life to receive Your finished work. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
