Invisible By Divine Investiture

Yesterday morning I was in a grumpy mood, feeling discouraged and sorry for myself, and also feeling a little angry towards God for not giving me some things I think I deserve (bad me!). I really needed the message Dad preached last night. So, I thought I’d share some notes I scribbled down. After all, each one of us could use a little help in the humility department! =)

Invisible By Divine Investiture -- In plain English that means “Becoming Invisible By God’s Crowning.”

Isaiah 2:17-22

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

When was the last time you praised God? We often don’t praise God because we don’t want to give Him ALL the glory. We want some glory as well. Our wicked hearts exalt themselves above measure.

Example: A little girl received a new watering can for her birthday. She was thrilled to pieces with her gift. The next morning she was up watering all the flowers in the garden. She watered and watered and watered. Then suddenly the sky grew dark with clouds, and then it was pouring rain outside. The little girl frowned as she looked out the window, rain drops beating against the glass. Turning to her mother she said, “Mommy, doesn’t God know I can do it myself?”

We do the same thing. We try to do everything ourselves instead of letting God take care of us. When we do this, we actually hinder Him. God can’t fill a full glass. We have to be empty of ourselves and our ideas before God can do His marvelous work in our lives.

Torrey said: “Oh, how many a man has been full of promise and God has used him, and then that man thought that he was the whole thing and God was compelled to set him aside!”

Away with self!!! Have you crowned GOD King? Have you given your all to Him? Have you removed the sparkling crown from your head and placed it on His? He can do so much if we only let Him!!!

The Things God Provides:

• Companionship -- (Adam and Eve--Book of Genesis) Before Eve there was God. Adam had an intimate relationship with God. He should always be your #1 companion! Sometimes people will come between you and God; that’s a pretty good indication that the relationship isn’t what it should be.
• Fellowship (with Eve) -- God provided a partner for lonely Adam. God woke Adam up from his deep sleep and showed him Eve, his wife. If you have a good relationship with God He will bring you to the one person He has designed for you, and you will know His will. (Example: My dad knew right away that he would marry my mom.)
• Food and Drink -- Adam and Eve ate of the Garden of Eden. They had all they needed.
• Clothing -- God killed a lamb to clothe Adam and Eve.
• House and Work -- The Garden of Eden was their home, and later on God gave them work in the fields for their livelihood.

Are you standing in God’s way by “taking care of it yourself”? Is “self” hindering God? Don’t think so highly of yourself: Over-estimation is the pathway to destruction!!! It begins with worrying about things God can/will provide.

There are some things you are supposed to work for and others you need to just wait for; they are God’s business. “Be still and know that I am God.”

Are you too visible, Christian? We must become invisible by crowning Christ King and Lord of our lives!