The Lord of hosts has purposed it to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the Earth.
– Isaiah 23:9
Wow, this verse along with the rest of Isaiah 23 is a clear picture of how God is going to ultimately turn the tables of this world upside down. Even just that last phrase in Isaiah 23:9, “The Lord of hosts has purposed to dishonor all the honored of the earth.”
Isaiah 23:9 reminds us that one day we will be honored by God.
That which this world honors, pride, power, and self-achievement will ultimately be dishonored and the reverse will be true. Those who are humble and lowly and live to deny themselves and exalt God, they are dishonored on this earth, that’s not looked upon favorably in this world, and one day they will be honored by God. And not just one day, for all of eternity that will be honored by God.
The Lord of hosts has purposed this. So let this change your perspective on what you live for today. Don’t live for the reward of this world. Don’t live for what this world says matters. Live for the reward of another world. Live for what God says matters. Trust that in his time he will bring honor to all of those who trust in him. Live for him, and live for the world to come.
Isaiah 23:9 challenges the limits of an earthly perspective.
So, God, we pray today that you would help us to live according to the values of your Word, not according to the values of this world. God, we pray that you would cleanse us of all pride, selfishness, self-centeredness, and desire for self-glory… And continually thinking about what is best for us in this world. Lord, help us to live today in every way with humility, and selflessness… To live for your glory, not our own, to live for others’ good above our own.
God, help us to live like we know the tables are going to be turned. God help us not to be deceived into thinking that living for the things of this world will ultimately lead to satisfaction. We know better. God, help us to live with humility, holiness, purity, righteousness, and selflessness today in our lives. Knowing that this world will not reward these things, but that you will ultimately reward these things.
And God help us to give our money and to spend our time and our resources on that which will matter forever.
Prayer for the Bhabra People
Today, God, help us to share the gospel today in the power of your Spirit knowing that will matter forever. And God, we pray for the spread of the gospel to the Bhabra people of India… For this Jain people group that denies that we can know objective, absolute truth.
God, we pray for the spread of Jesus as the truth, the way, and the life among the Bhabra people of India. That they might know your salvation, that they might experience your grace, mercy, love, now and forever. God, help us in this world where we know that tables are going to be turned. Help us to proclaim your kingdom, your grace, your mercy, your love, and your Word. Right where we live, and use us and our resources to spread this Word, we pray, to the ends of the earth. We pray all of this according to your purposes that we see in Isaiah 23:9. In Jesus’ name, amen.
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
