Acidified!

The 3 acid tests for those in any ministry... especially worship & prayer ministry... from Zechariah 7:1-7

1. Did you really fast (serve, lead, go to church etc) for Me - for Me?

2. Do you have 2 different lifestyles? One in the temple/church, one outside the temple/church.

3. You sure you are ready?

Thoughts on the Book of Isaiah

A Problematic Nation before a Persistent God

The nation of Judah sinned. They "lost their senses" and have forsaken the Lord who has brought them up and nourished them. Their rebellion and wickedness were evident to all the earth – worse than the animals that know their master and home, the nation knew not their Master and turned from the One who cared for them. Yet the Lord calls them children (Isa 1:2). He calls them Israel, My people (Isa 1:3).

“But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider.”

God looks upon the sinful nation that has turned away from the Him - it is sick, faint with open wounds and bruises, desolate and overthrown by strangers. What's left of it is liken to a "booth in a vineyard", a "hut in a garden of cucumbers" and a "besieged city" (Isa 1:8).

Before this very pathetic and desolate sight, Isaiah proclaimed (Isa 1:9):

"Unless the LORD of hosts
Had left to us a very small remnant,
We would have become like Sodom,
We would have been made like Gomorrah.”

There will be a remnant! The Lord Himself will provide. He will not utterly destroy the rebellious nation although that is what they deserve. The merciful God is true to His covenant people. But how will He restore them from the dismal state that they are in? Through His remnant people that is pale in comparison before their countless enemies? Let us read on, feeling the heart of God in drawing them back to Him, grasping the ways of the God of justice and love…

A God Who Reasons and Stoops …

Hear! Give ear! You rulers… you people! God appeals to them to come clean and get right with Him first, then offer sacrifices to Him (Isa 1:18). Can you fathom the sight of a God who stooped to just do that when all the rebellious people deserved were nothing but judgment?

“ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD… "

For offering sacrifices to God, going through the rituals and making prayers while their heart is far away from God, only serves to provoke God to anger even more. Return O Judah! God promises that all He needs is their willingness and obedience and He will cleanse them of their sin and prosper them. But if they refuse and rebel, they shall fall by the sword… (Isa 1:19-20)

If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

When God says “I will”

The faithful city has fallen and become a harlot. Yet God, the Lord of host, the mighty One of Israel, is in control and three times He said “I will” – get rid of their adversaries, purge away sin from His people and restore their land to righteousness. Zion shall be redeemed and no one can quench the fury of God’s fire. Nothing, not even their rebellious and wanton hearts, can thwart God’s destiny for them… (Isa 1:24-26)

“ Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
And take vengeance on My enemies.
I will turn My hand against you,
And thoroughly purge away your dross,
And take away all your alloy.
I will restore your judges as at the first,
And your counselors as at the beginning.
Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

So chill…God is in control. What situations and men fail to accomplish in righteousness, God already knows. He speaks through His prophets to woo His people back to Himself. We can put our faith in Him and trust Him. And we can put our hope in what He has in store for us since the beginning of time that He alone shall complete in us. We only need to be willing and obedient and see the loving God move in our lives and be in step with Him.


Prayer

“God, grant us willing and obedient hearts to follow you all the days of our life. Grant us understanding of your heart for us both now and in the days to come, that like what the Psalmist says in Psalm 90:12

“So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

You are once again coming back again to shake the things that can be shaken, purging your people and land from unrighteousness. You alone will restore all things and bring about the very promises You have for us, for You are a faithful God, the Lord of Host.

Lead us O Lord, in Your ways. We acknowledge you and ask for wisdom to not only know Your ways, but also to see Your face. We want to know and feel the heart of the One who stoops to us so that we may be confident to rise again, putting away the shame of our sin. Jesus bore it all for us. When we stumble and fall, we hold on to Your mighty hand and Your undying love for us. Take us higher, take us deeper in You we pray. From strength to strength we will grow, in the light of Your mercy and grace.

We pray too that Your very plan and purposes for the chosen nation, Israel, will come to pass in Your time and might. Even now, let her understand Your heart for her that she may return to You, offering righteous sacrifices that would bring You pleasure. Strengthen, O mighty One of Israel, the ones who stay faithful to You in the midst of persecution. Let them encounter Your right hand leading them through moments of peril. Comfort their hearts O Lord, for You are their Shepherd and they are the sheep of your pen, Your beloved people and nation, destined for Your glory.

In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.