“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” (Isaiah 25:1, ESV)
How often do we take the time to consider the great works of God and worship Him? When we examine this practice of worship, we see many aspects presented in the Scriptures. We see an aspect of worship in the way we conduct our lives. Paul wrote that we are to present our “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,” explaining that it is our “spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).
We see an aspect of humility and reverential awe in worship because of who God is. The Psalmist typified this worship as he saw God “greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones and awesome above all who are around him” (Psalm 89:7, ESV).
Yet there is an aspect of worship that involves considering the plans of God. This aspect includes worship because of the “wonderful things” He has done and the expectation of the fulfillment of the plans He has formed before the foundation of the earth.
In this section, Isaiah presents a praise for all the blessings that the Lord our God will bring forth in the future. Isaiah deals with the work of the Lord in defeating death and the provision of victory over it for His people. Later in the letter Isaiah wrote that,
“He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 25:8, ESV)
It is a view of the awesome wonder of God who carries out His plans impeccably. Moreover, His perfect plans involve His chosen people.
How often do we sit back and consider the plans of God? How often do we consider all the great things He has done with an expectant and confident view of the future? Think about all He has done throughout history, His work of creation, His work of redemption, and His work of saving us through faith in Christ. Think of what this means in the present and in the future. When we think on these things, we cannot help but worship Him. When we think on these things, we will “exalt” Him, considering Him high and lifted up. When we think about these things, we will “praise” Him.
I encourage every believer to take some time every day and consider the great things that God has done. Consider your salvation. Then give thanks to Him for what He has done and what it means for you, now and forever.
Renewing the Heart 