May 21, 2014

Isaiah, Chapter 1 - Israel Refuses to Obey the Lord

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

God gave Isaiah a vision regarding the future of Judah and Jerusalem. God begins by establishing the current state of affairs. He says “my people have walked out on me, their God, turned their backs on The Holy of Israel, walked off and never looked back”. As a consequence, most of what they attempted to build, or accomplish, was futile…like they were beating their heads against a wall. Their land was destroyed by outsiders and their cities burned down. In fact, if God hadn’t left us a few survivors, Judah would have been as desolate as Sodom and Gomorrah.
Circumstances had become so bleak that God was no longer even interested in their sacrifices and offerings. He said “Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games”.

“I will not listen…”
This is the natural and eternal consequence of sin…and it will not get better

Does this feel like the USA today? I think so. We are spiraling downward with no relief in sight. Where Christians used to be major players in our culture..with godly influence...we have become a mere remnant. This is the worst things have ever been in our country. Unfortunately, they will never be this good again.
Unless…we are willing to sit down with God and have a rational conversation about His expectations: “wash ourselves, make ourselves clean; Remove the evil of our deeds from God’s sight…cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Then, “Though our sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool. “If we consent and obey, we will eat the best of the land; but if we refuse and rebel, we will be devoured by the sword.”

This is a national problem but the solution begins with us as individuals. Doesn’t seem like a difficult choice to me.

Live boldly out there today…

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