Messages For A New Year: 2.Looking In Three Directions - Zac Poonen
Summary
The message encourages the audience to look to God's sovereignty, drawing parallels from scripture passages like Isaiah 6 and Daniel 4. The central theme is that when the world faces fear and chaos, believers must keep their eyes fixed on Jesus enthroned in heaven, remembering that God's rule is absolute and transcends earthly powers. This focus on the divine throne brings dignity and assurance, regardless of surrounding turmoil.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Lifting up our heads when hearts fail with fearAs the end times approach and people's hearts fail for fear of what is coming on the earth, Jesus commands His children to straighten up and lift up their heads because their redemption is near.
The first direction to look is upFollowing Isaiah's example, we must look up every day of the coming year and never lose sight of the fact that Jesus sits on the throne of this universe in complete control.
Nebuchadnezzar's realization of God's sovereign ruleWhen Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven, his reason returned and he praised the Most High whose kingdom never declines and whose work cannot be interrupted.
Exchanging our weakness for God's strengthBecause we are weak and cowardly by nature, we must wait upon the Lord daily to exchange our weakness for His power and boldness.Isaiah 40:31
The second direction is to look inOnly after looking up at the holiness of Jesus should we look inside ourselves; otherwise, looking into our flesh will only lead to discouragement and depression.
Woe is me for I am ruinedSeeing the King and Lord of hosts caused Isaiah to confess his own uncleanness of lips, showing that God's blessing brings light upon our own faults rather than other people's sins.
The immediate cleansing of sin upon confessionThe moment Isaiah confessed his sin, a seraphim touched his mouth with a burning coal from the altar, taking away his iniquity immediately.
Judging ourselves instead of God's servantsIf we stop judging other believers who are God's servants and instead judge ourselves rightly, we will not be judged by the Lord.1 Corinthians 11:31
The third direction is to look outAfter looking up and looking in, a spiritual person looks out at other needy people not to judge them, but to freely give what they have received.
Here am I, send meWhen the Lord asked whom He could send, a cleansed Isaiah responded with total availability to go out as God's representative to a needy world.
Making ourselves available to serveBelievers should keep their eyes open to see how they can serve others in their homes, the church, and the surrounding world, relying on God's supernatural gifts rather than their own ability.
