The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Isaiah 32:15-18
According to Aristotle, there is a relationship between cause and effect; meaning the action or the event of one is the consequence or the result of the other. Aristotle believed even though it typically relates to events, that it could also include a series of natural occurrences, things that are able to change suddenly and unpredictably, or the law of circumstances. He said one is as the beginning of change; the other is as its goal. He also indicated that the same thing can be the cause of contrary or opposite effects - as its presence and absence may result in different outcomes.
The scripture for today, clearly speaks to this very subject: the work and the effect of righteousness; righteousness works and then produces peace, which results in a state of calmness, a quietness of mind, an assurance of hope; confidence and trust; free from anxiety and free from worry. However, none of this is possible without first understanding what’s needed in order to achieve this.
Isaiah prophesies to the people of the coming King who will reign in righteousness. He had told them repeatedly about the condemnation that would come upon them because of their moral and spiritual disease and because of their selfishness and neglect of God. Even in all of this, God with all of His grace invites them to repent and return to Him; if they refuse, then judgment was inevitable.
Isaiah tells them in verse 15, "Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high”, the cause or the event; it is followed by the effects of the Spirit: the restoration of both the people and the land would take place, and the transformation of both occurs. Remember what Aristotle stated above, “the cause of contrary or opposite effects; its presence and absence may result in different outcomes. Isaiah is saying that things are in a state of destruction and will remain that way until God sends forth His Spirit. When He pours out His Spirit, everything must and will change. If the people of God decide not to return to Him and He does not pour out His Spirit, the course of things will have a different outcome. The same cause and effect applies to us today. With the outpouring of the Spirit of God, our virtue, our morality and integrity; our uprightness and our work of righteousness will equate to peace, restoration and transformation. Who wouldn’t want to have those effects and quietly be able to dwell in them; both internally and externally? However, if God decided not to pour out His Spirit, it would definitely have an adverse effect.
The Spirit of God is the cause, the event, and the source of all our blessings; but of course, my eyes just keep focusing on the effects: that I shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, which means surroundings; in sure dwellings and experience His peace in a quiet resting place. The Word tells us, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Sometimes I close my eyes and bask in the peace of God. It is a place where I truly long to be at all times, until my change comes.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
According to Aristotle, there is a relationship between cause and effect; meaning the action or the event of one is the consequence or the result of the other. Aristotle believed even though it typically relates to events, that it could also include a series of natural occurrences, things that are able to change suddenly and unpredictably, or the law of circumstances. He said one is as the beginning of change; the other is as its goal. He also indicated that the same thing can be the cause of contrary or opposite effects - as its presence and absence may result in different outcomes.
The scripture for today, clearly speaks to this very subject: the work and the effect of righteousness; righteousness works and then produces peace, which results in a state of calmness, a quietness of mind, an assurance of hope; confidence and trust; free from anxiety and free from worry. However, none of this is possible without first understanding what’s needed in order to achieve this.
Isaiah prophesies to the people of the coming King who will reign in righteousness. He had told them repeatedly about the condemnation that would come upon them because of their moral and spiritual disease and because of their selfishness and neglect of God. Even in all of this, God with all of His grace invites them to repent and return to Him; if they refuse, then judgment was inevitable.
Isaiah tells them in verse 15, "Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high”, the cause or the event; it is followed by the effects of the Spirit: the restoration of both the people and the land would take place, and the transformation of both occurs. Remember what Aristotle stated above, “the cause of contrary or opposite effects; its presence and absence may result in different outcomes. Isaiah is saying that things are in a state of destruction and will remain that way until God sends forth His Spirit. When He pours out His Spirit, everything must and will change. If the people of God decide not to return to Him and He does not pour out His Spirit, the course of things will have a different outcome. The same cause and effect applies to us today. With the outpouring of the Spirit of God, our virtue, our morality and integrity; our uprightness and our work of righteousness will equate to peace, restoration and transformation. Who wouldn’t want to have those effects and quietly be able to dwell in them; both internally and externally? However, if God decided not to pour out His Spirit, it would definitely have an adverse effect.
The Spirit of God is the cause, the event, and the source of all our blessings; but of course, my eyes just keep focusing on the effects: that I shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, which means surroundings; in sure dwellings and experience His peace in a quiet resting place. The Word tells us, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Sometimes I close my eyes and bask in the peace of God. It is a place where I truly long to be at all times, until my change comes.
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
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