Instructed
Isaiah 50:4The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
50:5The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.
It’s all about the ability to receive instruction and process that information to accomplish something of significance.
I remember this man that came to our school way back in the ‘70s to talk about technology and the exciting new developments that we could be a part of if we would so choose. He talked about this micro chip that could process information at very fast pace, performing instructions that would enable incredible new applications for our lives. It was so hard to comprehend something so small being so powerful in its ability to process information. To look back on it, though, it was interesting that he seemed to think that this processor was as powerful as it could get, not really projecting progress that would be made in the processor itself. Today, as everyone knows, the personal computer has completely transformed the world, performing the most extensive and involved tasks at unbelievable speeds. As far as things have come since my first exposure to the computer’s power, it’s almost scary to think about where we’re going in the next 30-40 years in our ability to have these machines accomplish anything we can imagine. Yet, as powerful as they may become, they will always perform as instructed, according to the intent of the using them. Without power and instructions they are useless.
We have been fearfully and wonderfully made. Not only can we process information at blinding speeds, we can be inspired, entertained, and driven to accomplish and fulfill our dreams. While an advanced processor has been an integral part of our design, we, like the personal computer, are only as effective as our ability to take instruction and perform it. When the computer is turned on, it may have all its needed components, with the highest rated processor and every necessary piece of hardware and software, but until it is given instruction it can do absolutely nothing. Even automated tasks are responses to directives given from the person who possesses it. Instruction is the necessary information that makes way for action and productivity, and the main inhibitor to a completed purpose is when there is no instruction being received.
There is instruction coming our way today to be productive in the kingdom, to heal the sick, raise the dead, comfort the broken hearted, and our tongues will be able to speak words that sustain the weary. Information alone won’t be sufficient, though. Like the computer, loaded with the coolest software and plenty of storage space, all the information on its hard drive is still waiting for interaction from a human, someone with a purpose in mind. It’s about a relationship with the Creative One. As long as He is given access, He will, from the moment we awake, provide us with the necessary instructions that will make each moment a God response, where He taps into the wonder of who He’s designed us to be, causing us to demonstrate His righteousness and His heart of love to a world that needs His touch. May there be no drawing back as ears are opened to the sound of His voice instructing, guiding and enabling a day of fulfilled purpose.
