Those Other Lords

Those Other Lords. Ken Millspaugh made a discerning 'application of Isaiah 26:13 in recent remarks in our assembly. The text, expressive primarily of Israel's case, reads, "O Lord our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us: but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy Name." Israel's confession had reference to their literal idolatry, by which they had acknowledged and served idols. 

The application to us under Christ is the same in principle, though our sin is somewhat different in appearance, Brother Ken pointed out. Its application is well indicated by Paul in Romans 6:21. "What fruit had ye in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?" he asks, referring to our service of sin, which is itself a form of idolatry (v. 20; cf. Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 1:21; Tit. 3:3). 

The rule enunciated in the context is, "To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye °bey" (v. 16; cf. Jn. 8:34). So may we say with Israel, "Other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us." But—bless God!—by His grace and power, their power and dominion have been broken, and we, "being made free from sin" (Rom. 6:22), now "serve the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:24).