will take root below and bear fruit above. 32 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 31:4,31,32)
Thoughts: Sixty-five times the word "remnant" is used in the Bible. It is an important concept, and I believe especially important for our time. When we think of remnant we think of something leftover that may not be worth much (like a carpet or tile remnant on sale cheaply). But the remnant of God's people are those who are left who are still maintaining the faith, and they are precious in God's sight. The remnant are the preservers and guardians of the faith.
There were many times when God left a remnant- Noah and his sons; Abraham who was but one and God made him many; Moses when the people worshiped the golden calf; Gideon; Elijah who thought he was the only prophet left; Jeremiah; The New Testament church saw itself as a "remnant" of the Jews (Romans 9:27; 11:1,5);
Calvin (IV.1.2) said "Although the melancholy desolation which confronts us on every side may cry that no remnant of the church is left, let us know that Christ's death is fruitful, and that God miraculously keeps his church in hiding places. So it was said of Elijah, `I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.'"
The church today in America is under increasing secular pressure. Francis Schaeffer in 1975 that the west is a "Post-Christian world." Christianity may be growing in other places, but the moral focus and unity in the West was gone. The American president said that America was "no longer just a Christian nation" (3/9/08). The mainline/oldline churches have not only not been keeping up with population growth, but have been bleeding members as they drift away from fidelity to the scriptures. Yet there is a remnant. It is a remnant that is still being purified. Tomorrow we will look at what a remnant is supposed to do.
There were many times when God left a remnant- Noah and his sons; Abraham who was but one and God made him many; Moses when the people worshiped the golden calf; Gideon; Elijah who thought he was the only prophet left; Jeremiah; The New Testament church saw itself as a "remnant" of the Jews (Romans 9:27; 11:1,5);
Calvin (IV.1.2) said "Although the melancholy desolation which confronts us on every side may cry that no remnant of the church is left, let us know that Christ's death is fruitful, and that God miraculously keeps his church in hiding places. So it was said of Elijah, `I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.'"
The church today in America is under increasing secular pressure. Francis Schaeffer in 1975 that the west is a "Post-Christian world." Christianity may be growing in other places, but the moral focus and unity in the West was gone. The American president said that America was "no longer just a Christian nation" (3/9/08). The mainline/oldline churches have not only not been keeping up with population growth, but have been bleeding members as they drift away from fidelity to the scriptures. Yet there is a remnant. It is a remnant that is still being purified. Tomorrow we will look at what a remnant is supposed to do.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you always leave a remnant of your church to be salt and light in the world.
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