The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Isaiah 48:17-18,
"This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
'I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.'"
In this chapter of Isaiah, Israel is accused of her stubbornness,
"For I knew how stubborn you were;
your neck muscles were iron,
your forehead was bronze." Verse 4.
Destruction and a seventy year captivity in Babylon awaits Judah. Following that, in verse 20 she is told, "Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, 'The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob."
In the above verses she is told that her coming struggles are due to her own making. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.'"
Within Israel's grasp, she could have enjoyed well-being and peace as a people. However, they would have none of it because they had turned against the Lord, his teachings, his directions and his commands. They had stubbornly gone their own way and will now have to pay the consequences for it.
In a similar way, an opportunity exists for all people today. We can all embrace Jesus Christ and enjoy eternity in paradise with all the blessings God created us for in the first place. However, many are stubborn, reject the Lord and will miss out on the greatest opportunity they could ever possibly enjoy. Sad, isn't it? Jesus Christ has done all the work, and all they have to do is embrace him. However, many decide to cling to their sin and bring the Lord's judgment on themselves.
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
'I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.'"
In this chapter of Isaiah, Israel is accused of her stubbornness,
"For I knew how stubborn you were;
your neck muscles were iron,
your forehead was bronze." Verse 4.
Destruction and a seventy year captivity in Babylon awaits Judah. Following that, in verse 20 she is told, "Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, 'The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob."
In the above verses she is told that her coming struggles are due to her own making. "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.'"
Within Israel's grasp, she could have enjoyed well-being and peace as a people. However, they would have none of it because they had turned against the Lord, his teachings, his directions and his commands. They had stubbornly gone their own way and will now have to pay the consequences for it.
In a similar way, an opportunity exists for all people today. We can all embrace Jesus Christ and enjoy eternity in paradise with all the blessings God created us for in the first place. However, many are stubborn, reject the Lord and will miss out on the greatest opportunity they could ever possibly enjoy. Sad, isn't it? Jesus Christ has done all the work, and all they have to do is embrace him. However, many decide to cling to their sin and bring the Lord's judgment on themselves.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment