“Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up” (Isa. 33:10 NKJ).
This is a positive verse in the midst of a negative setting.
Because of treachery and moral decay, the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel at this time was at a low ebb. In the midst of hypocrisy and double standards, the prophet requests the Lord to intervene.
In verse two, he asks the Lord to be gracious. In verse three, he describes what will happen to the nations when the Lord lifts Himself up. In verse five, he expresses hope by declaring that the Lord is exalted, listing all the benefits that go with His exalted state.
In response to Isaiah’s confession of faith, the Lord answers: “I am everything you say I am and more. Now I will rise. Now I will be exalted. Now I will lift Myself up.”
The key to victory is to magnify the Lord as Isaiah did. We cannot make the Lord any larger than He already is by our words. He already fills all of heaven and earth (Jer. 23:24). How can He be made any greater than omnipresent? We can’t “increase” God by our words, but we can “decrease” Him.
When we magnify our situation and our problems, we minimize the Lord and His ability to help us. When we magnify the Lord with our praise, we actually minimize our circumstances.
The key to our personal triumph is to recognize and declare that the Lord is bigger than any problem we are facing. We do this by praising Him, worshipping Him, and quoting His promises.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.