FIT TO BE TRIED
Text: Isaiah 55:1-13
Have you ever seen someone throw a fit? When a person is throwing a fit “What’s your problem?”
Seems like the world is throwing a fit! In turmoil - A time of turmoil, anger, distress? Asking the questions - Why God? Where is God? Etc! The world is “Fit to be tied!” Have you ever felt “Fit to be tied?” Even our souls can be fit to be tied! Living with anger, doubt, stress, questions, etc.
Truth: You can live with a soul fit to be tried! Able to stay strong, focused, blessed, encouraged! How?
When God nourishes your soul flourishes! You will be fit to be tried!
Q: How can you flourish?
1) Make the transaction of faith!
V1-3 - The amazing transaction! Free soul satisfaction! “Come” 5X! The questions we must ask? Where am I going? What really satisfies? What am I buying into?
A) V2 - in a desert. Mirage of satisfaction. Doesn’t prove satisfying. Make the transaction of faith!
Buy into God! Believe in God. Fellowship with God! This is the action of faith! Then God moves!
B) V2 - delight in the richest fare. The fatness! God gives your soul what it craves!
You discover God’s waters! God’s table! God’s will! God’s way! Your soul flourishes! Make the transaction of faith!
V-3:You come to where your soul lives! Then life begins!
2) Believe in your manifest destiny of greatness!
V3b-5 - You have the promise of God’s faithful eternal love! God’s great love and power is revealed or manifested in you because you’ve made the transaction of faith! Readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sight
Manifest destiny - The phrase was coined in 1845 by journalist John L. O'Sullivan, then an influential advocate for the Democratic Party. In an essay entitled "Annexation" published in the Democratic Review, O'Sullivan urged the United States to annex the Republic of Texas, not only because Texas desired this, but because it was America's "manifest destiny to overspread the continent.”
God wants to overspread your life! And your life to overspread the world! V4 - “a witness” - David and Goliath - You and a Goliath?
V5 - You will impact and influence! God has significant drawing power! And you are ”endowed with splendor.”
A mighty oak! Isaiah 61:1-3
You have a destiny of greatness with God! Your soul will flourish. You will overspread in a great and mighty way!
How can you be fit to be tried? Fully nourished? Flourishing in life?
3) Have an urgency for mercy!
V6-9 - Notice the urgency? ”Seek! Call! While you can!”
People who live in a state of crisis? Emergency? The urgency we should have is to discover the vast depth of God’s mercy!
A) Forsake and turn! Repentance - God makes a clear call for a decisive action! Make it today! 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
B) Look at how God is. ”Freely pardon” - means multiplies pardon! Abundantly pardons! God is great and I am small - see V9!
Sense of urgency? A fire in your belly? Get with God! Discover the depth of his mercy! How people think they’ve sinned to much to be forgiven? How they multiply the sin! Live with an urgency for mercy! Your soul will flourish! Abundantly pardoned! Lavished with love and grace!!
4) Walk in the assurance of God’s reign
V10-13 - God’s word will produce! God’s word has effect! God’s word cannot fail!
A) His word will nourish! V11 ”Will accomplish and achieve his purpose and desire!” V 10 - ”bud and flourish” - means people will bear much fruit! ”Yields seed for the sower” - gives you the seed! Can’t grow produce w/o seed! ”Bread for the eater” - provides for the hungry!
B) His word will nourish! V12 - ”You will go out in joy”
You will be a person of celebration! Your soul will be fit to be tried! Full of joy and peace!
C) The world will rejoice in the proven hope! In the proven word! ”for the Lord’s renown” Your soul is nourished by the assurance of God’s reign. His rule and authority!
Conclusion
The questions we will ask? Why God? Where are you God? The world is fit to be tied! Many people are fit to be tied! Yet today we can begin the reclaiming of the lost, helpless, and hopeless. When our souls are flourishing in this world. As I see trees, bushes dying so we see souls that are dying! Our souls can be fit! Fit to be tried! Nourished by God and flourishing in this world!
Will you make the transaction of faith? Believe in your manifest destiny of greatness? Have an urgency for mercy? Walk in the assurance of Gods reign? If so you will flourish! Bud! Bloom! And bear the fruit that is life!