God’s Eternal Plan for the Islands (Isaiah 49:1-6) 4/28/2024
Eternal Answer of the 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
God’s Eternal Plan for the Islands (Isaiah 49:1-6) 4/28/2024
The scripture for today is the scripture I shared when I went to Fiji, one of the 14 countries in Oceania. As I meditated on this scripture, I was able to hold onto the reason and blessings for the missions in islands that God has given to our church.
In verse 1, it says, “Listen to me, you islands.” In Isa 41:1 it says, “Be silent before me, you islands! Let nations renew their strength! (New International Version, Isa 41.1). Why did he call them, the islands? It is the absolute love and plan that God has for all islands in the world.
Islands represent the weakest nations and lives. Of all 5 oceans and 6 continents, Oceania consists of all island nations. Australia, the biggest nation there, began as a jail that held prisoners from England. Moreover, the countries there were first occupied and conquered by the superpower nations (England and France), but eventually claimed independence. But besides Fiji, which is famous for tourism, they all lack in economic, educational, and medical aspects. This is not all. It is the same case spiritually. All countries including Fiji are taken over by various heresies and religious groups. Tonga is taken over by Mormonism. Fiji and 6 other nations are taken over by The Salvation Sect, the famous heresy in Korea under Ock-Soo Park. The heretic sector under Ok -Ju Shin claimed that Fiji will become the new heavens and new earth to establish farms and take over their food industry.
What does God say about these island nations? Discard all scars and despair (“be silent”) to hold onto God’s absolute plan.
Verse 1 says, “Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.” This is God’s selection. (v2-3)says, “He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” (v4) says, “Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” (v5 )says, “for I am[a] honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength.” If this is God’s absolute covenant, how will the 14 island nations be used by God? These islands also represent the weakest nations and our weaknesses. What must we do?
- Within this covenant, receive healing and restoration first to stand as a witness.
1) This is God’s method and conclusion to save all nations. He chose to save the weakest and most lacking of all to save the world. He will heal us to heal the world and bless us to bless the world and raise us as witnesses (Isaiah 60:21-22, Acts 1:8).
2) Are you facing problems, pain, or crises? Our life and death is in God’s absolute sovereignty (Romans 14:8-9). If we must live, hold onto everything as the opportunity for the 3 answers. Look upon the power of the throne and challenge. All the problems that we face are opportunities for us to hold onto the absolute answer of only Christ. Conflicts are opportunities for us to renew ourselves and receive healing to prepare a greater vessel. Crises are opportunities for us to experience God’s absolute power and absolute doors.
3) What we must do realistically is focus on 24-hour prayer through deep breathing.
① Deep breathing is the greatest method by which we can revive our brain and health. We can revive our frontal lobe to better develop correct thoughts and judgement, as well as concentration levels. The key to that is serotonin. Moreover, deep breathing is the best way to excrete about 80% of toxins from our body.
②The prayer we pray in deep breathing is a method by which we can grow deeper with God (Genesis 2:7, John 20:22). Breathe slow and long breaths as you embody spiritual meaning into it (take in God’s things, excrete evil things).
- Realistically experience and enjoy evangelism and missions in your fields and around you.
1) People from the ends of the earth are close by you. This is one of the greatest blessings of living in the United States (Multi-Nations, Multi-Ethnicities, Multi-Cultures).
① Going to the ends of the earth is important, but we must first find people who are already here, to give them the answer and commission them. These people are being used as evangelists and translators who save their respective nations.
② Hold onto God’s plan for the countries you have been assigned to through the 5-member team and devote in prayer and offering. One day, great doors that we can’t even imagine will open. What began with Tonga and Fiji has opened doors to 14 nations.
2) Focus on one person to watch over and help.
① Phillip was led by the Holy Spirit and met an Ethiopian minister. That one meeting led to making Ethiopia a Christian nation. Make even a single meeting become an eternal meeting.
② Share everything you have (prayer, testimony, materials, continuous meeting and relationship) as you share the Gospel of only. Only Christ who became your unique, eternal, and complete solution. God’s Kingdom that is your eternal background and mission. The Power of the Holy Spirit that surpasses your theories, environments, and weaknesses. You will grow together spiritually, and become a team.
- Pray for that day where you and your entire family can go all in on evangelism and missions (CVDIP).
1) The start of the 5-Member Team is prayer (Acts 13:1-3 – their 5-Member Team commissioned missionaries and changed the world).
2) Dream of visiting a missions field at least once a year and pray about it (Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest baseball players in the U.S.).
3) Pray about mid-term missions after your retirement. You can continue to do missions with your talents and skills. Learn new languages and skills that are needed for missions. That will be the greatest preparation for your retirement. We are thankful for and proud of our missionaries Michael Sims, Rachel Park, James Lal and Christine Lal. If we can establish a system (church, school, hospital, clinic) in a region and visit once a month, it will become a consistent system.
Conclusion – Verse 6 says, For God, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.” The “Israel” may be the fallen churches, fallen realities, and our fallen selves. “I have kept” represents “those who have remained” or the blessing of “remnants.” “Bring back” represents restoration of the original blessings. It is restoring the blessing of Genesis 1:26-28.
What is it that God truly wants to do? It says, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (v6) We are the light that saves all nations and peoples (Isaiah 60:1-2, Ephesians 5:8). God called us knowing that we are powerless, full of scars and weaknesses. Then, He gave us His light. We must enjoy that light 24 hours (Blessing Of The Throne), and break down the forces of darkness that works 24 hours. God’s Kingdom and the work of God’s Kingdom will continue to be fulfilled within us and all that we do (25, Eternity). We must enjoy that light individually and as a church. May we stand as the witnesses of that light to become the witnesses of that eternal answer of saving the ends of the earth.