October 7, 2006 - Isaiah 28-29 and Philippians 3
When we allow ourselves to drift away from the Lord, it is a very serious mistake. We may think that it will be easy to return to Him, but often that is not the case. The problem is that we get farther away from Him than we thought we would, and it happens quicker than we thought it would. By the time we realize what is going on, we are so far from the Lord that He has to do something drastic to get our attention and call us to repentance. Then, it takes a while to get back to where we should be, because of all of the wrong turns we have taken in the process.
Look at the condition of God's people in Isaiah 28 and 29. They had wandered so far from God that even the priests and the prophets were sinning because of intoxicating drink. (28:7) This had caused the entire society to get away from God's truth. God was sad, because He knew that they had to learn His precepts a little at a time. (28:10) Therefore, He knew that it would take them a long time to really get back to where they should have been. However, in love He set out to bring them back and to show them their errors. (28:23-29) He showed them their blindness. (29:9-12) He caused them to realize the condition of their hearts. (29:13) He showed them how stupid it was to question God. (29:16) Through the punishment they began to listen and to return to God. I pray that we will not allow ourselves to drift from God and have to experience His anger. I pray that we will be constantly learning His precepts a little at a time, instead of getting side-tracked in sin.
Philippians 3 makes this point from the positive side. Paul had learned that the things of this world were worthless, and the only thing that really mattered was knowing Christ in a deep intimate relationship. (v.7-10) He put everything in its proper perspective, and he called on all believers to have this same mind. (v.14-16) In fact, he went so far as to say that those who were not seeking the Lord, but they were seeking the things of this world were the enemies of the cross. (v.19) That is strong language, but true. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we must keep our focus on the eternal things. Any other mindset will cause us to drift from the Lord and become enemies of the cross.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 30-31 and Philippians 4.
Look at the condition of God's people in Isaiah 28 and 29. They had wandered so far from God that even the priests and the prophets were sinning because of intoxicating drink. (28:7) This had caused the entire society to get away from God's truth. God was sad, because He knew that they had to learn His precepts a little at a time. (28:10) Therefore, He knew that it would take them a long time to really get back to where they should have been. However, in love He set out to bring them back and to show them their errors. (28:23-29) He showed them their blindness. (29:9-12) He caused them to realize the condition of their hearts. (29:13) He showed them how stupid it was to question God. (29:16) Through the punishment they began to listen and to return to God. I pray that we will not allow ourselves to drift from God and have to experience His anger. I pray that we will be constantly learning His precepts a little at a time, instead of getting side-tracked in sin.
Philippians 3 makes this point from the positive side. Paul had learned that the things of this world were worthless, and the only thing that really mattered was knowing Christ in a deep intimate relationship. (v.7-10) He put everything in its proper perspective, and he called on all believers to have this same mind. (v.14-16) In fact, he went so far as to say that those who were not seeking the Lord, but they were seeking the things of this world were the enemies of the cross. (v.19) That is strong language, but true. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we must keep our focus on the eternal things. Any other mindset will cause us to drift from the Lord and become enemies of the cross.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 30-31 and Philippians 4.