Isaiah 32

Read Isaiah 32

We live in a world where the gift of a good leader may only last as long as his current term in office. The one who replaces him may work just as hard to destroy what his predecessor carefully built up. Sometimes we do not even have to wait for a new person to replace an old one to see the destruction of a good enterprise. A power struggle can reveal critical differences in goals and tactics between two strong individuals in any endeavor. It is one of the great beauties of the Godhead that there will never be a disagreement of any kind between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

There is much good that can come from an excellent king. A ruler who will lead in righteousness is a point of stability and protection in a place of shifting sands. The King that God has provided for the church is more than just a good leader. He gives sight and hearing. He helps us to know what really matters, and He showers us with gifts from heaven. After He made atonement for our sins, He ascended into heaven and sent His church many blessings that are most essential for the fulfillment of His kingdom plan.

Isaiah spoke with disdain about the women who were at ease in Zion. They seemed to only care about drinking. God gave wine to gladden the heart of man, but we do not live for wine, and our greatest achievement is not in acquiring knowledge about mixed drinks. Man longs for a joy that will not end in a hangover. We need a happiness that will not turn to panic when the grape harvest fails. The answer for us is in the gift of the Spirit of God. As the apostle Paul says to the Ephesian church, “Do not be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.”

Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity, is the King of the church. The third person of the Godhead is the Spirit of God, who is most necessary for the reign of our King. True spiritual blessings can only come from the Spirit.

Our King is mighty. He reigns in perfect righteousness. The Spirit of God poured on us from on high is also powerful. He can turn a wilderness of broken, bruised, and weary people into new creatures in Christ who yield choice fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. No law can produce these blessings.

One of the wonders of the Lord’s perfect reign in our lives is that there is a complete agreement in all things between the divine King and the divine Spirit. We praise both. We receive both. They have no power struggle, but together with the Father, they are one God eternally. We will have quietness and security forever in the kingdom of the Lord. The dominion of our King and the blessings of the Spirit will never end.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great God, we praise You for Your Son, our King who reigns in righteousness. He has displayed His power. He opened the eyes of the blind. He provided food for the hungry. He planned and accomplished noble things. This Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Now He is at Your right hand. He is powerful to save. Pour out Your Spirit from on high. Bring fruitfulness, righteousness, and love to us in our misery and sadness. We long to dwell in Your eternal peace. Conquer our fears even now and bless us with the security of a more solid faith.