Trust the Lord (Isaiah 31:1-6) 260107
I have been using quite a few passages from Isaiah for my devotion, it is be because I am doing the book of Isaiah in my course for the past few weeks. As I interact with the Scripture, and the things I learn in class, there are many thoughts emerging in my mind.
If you read today’s passage, you will be shocked because it starts off with the word ‘Woe’. This not a very nice word to see in the Scripture, because what usually comes after it will be a series of charge or accusation or even judgment from the Lord to His people, that is us! A passage like this in the prophetic books, is called the ‘announcement of judgment’. It declares God’s unhappiness with the sinfulness of His people and pronouces a judgment against them. This also serves as a warning to His people, if they do not repent and get right with God, there will be graven consequences.
My lecturer asked us yesterday, how can we teach and preach such a passage like this in our modern day church context? I think we can and we should. The Scripture is relevant to us today. We as the people of God, don’t we still sin and make God angry? Don’t we still like the people of Israel in this passage, depend and trust in Egypt rather than God in times of need (v1)?
When we are in troubles or in need, who to we first turn to? When we are sick and ill, who do we first go to? When we are stress about our studies and work, who do we first turn to? When we have issues with our marriage or relationship, who do we first turn to? When we have difficulties in our finance, who do we first turn to?
I am not saying that we should not go to see a doctor when we are sick; not to study or look for lecturers if we have problems with our studies; or not to find professional help if we have issues in life, but the question is who do we first look for and turn to? We must remember that the doctors, counselors, lecturers and even pastors are merely men, not God (v3)!
Trust the Lord, go to Him for help. Let Him be our first and the frontline helper. If we are honest with ourselves, God is just another helpful entity whom we can call upon when there is no one else to help us. No! He is not! He should be the first and the central of our life! As much as He loves us, He also demands us to trust Him with our wholeheart.
I urge you, brothers and sisters in Christ, do not take God’s grace and love lightly and for granted, replace Him now in the centre of your live, invite Him back to the place where He should be - that’s your life! If we don’t do so, there will be consequences. Though we may not experience what the ancient Israelites suffered in the OT; in NT, Paul tells us that God will also handed us over to our sinful desires of our hearts (Rom 1:24) if we continue to refuse God.
I may sound angry or harsh, but this is the word of God, not mine. I come also the same judgment. Let’s take it seriously and search our hearts. Let’s repent and trust the Lord once again.
Prayer: God, I am sorry for the things that I have not done right before you and trusted other things rather than you, please forgive me. I pray that as we confess our sins before God, He is faithful to forgive and restore us. Let’s be humble.
