The prophet Isaiah was given messages by God to help people to see and hear correctly. He still calls people to give messages of hope that Jesus is indeed the Living God. The mission for believers in the Old Testament was to point people to God as they wait for the Messiah. The Messiah came and fulfilled His calling. This is the New Testament. God’s Church was birthed from the life of Jesus Christ.
One of Isaiah’s messages was for a rebellious group of people. You can read about it in Isaiah 1:1-20. God wasn’t happy with His people. They lost their way by adhering to the world’s way over His ways of living life. It’s not that they stopped believing God, they just kept their focus on their life on earth more; see verses 2-4. In this passage, you read how God isn’t going to share His children with the world. Either they had to choose Him or the world
There isn’t any other choice given to man.
This choice still stands true today. What is the Lord saying to you today that will help you to put God first as you separate yourself from things that keep you focused on the world more than Jesus Christ?
From this passage, you must first and foremost listen and pay attention! You must listen to the Lord and to His Word. Without Him or the Truth, you cannot find your way home. Sin will keep you from it. The devil will keep you from it. So, you must desire to know God and seek Him daily.
You must stop with the outward worship of God. It doesn’t matter what you look like on the outside. God cares about your inside, what is in your heart and mind. When the core of you gets aligned with Him, how you live your life on the outside will fall into place with what He deems righteous and holy.
You will live a godly life when Jesus takes the throne in your heart and He is allowed to lead you.
Repentance is in order for every child of God. Before Christ, you are deeply rooted in sin. You deserve death, but God sent His Son to give you a second chance. By His blood you are saved; see Romans 5:9. Isaiah speaks of washing yourself to be clean and get your sins out of God’s sight. A change in your lifestyle and thinking need to take place and only Jesus can make this happen.
What is the Lord saying? In His love for every one of His children, He offers an invitation, “‘Come and let’s settle this,'”‘ says the Lord.”18 Sin has made you unkempt for God’s Kingdom. If you are willing to listen and obey, He will make your sins white as snow or white as wool. Once He does this, you are called to obey. There is no other option in walking by faith.
God truly gives every person the good news of salvation. It is there for the choosing. You can believe and receive the most wonderful things from the Living God. The most awesome gift is the gift of Himself. He lives within you by the Holy Spirit. You become spiritually alive when this happens. Or you disregard the good news and turn away and enjoy life without God.
God is begging you and every person born to listen to what He is saying. If you refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies; see verse 20. Your enemies are the loves you have in this world that keep you distracted from God.
Give up your fleeting love affairs that you have with this world, and come to Christ. It is a matter of life and death.
Carol J German 