Isaiah 28-30

by Adam Johnson




And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden." Isaiah 29:13-14


The first part of the book of Isaiah revolves around promises that God is going to bring judgment upon His people for their rebellion. However, in the midst of all of these terrible judgments God never leaves His people without hope. Some of the greatest promises in the Old Testament telling of the Messiah to come is found in the truth in Isaiah that the Lord was going to devastate Judah for their many sins.  


It is a great reflection upon on our lives before Christ - we lived according to our own appetites and lusts with no regard for the consequences of our actions. It is an amazing thing, the grace and mercy of God. This reflection goes nearer to our hearts as believers today. God's promise of looming judgment was not on their heathen open flouting of sin, but their secret sins they practiced while coming to worship God. Covetousness, pride, idolatry, and ritualistic worship were the tip of the judgment iceberg that the Lord was trying to get Judah to repent of their sins.


Today, it might not be worshiping secretly a statue, but the sin of covetousness and materialism may dominate our lives. We can give all the right spiritual responses and verses, but if our desire is not to further the cause of Christ, fellowship, or grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord Jesus then what is our purpose? The thought that I leave for all of us - "having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power" 
-I Tim. 3:5. We can all do many things and programs, but do we do it because of fear of man or God? Everyday I want to question my motives for life and godliness. I want Him to be the center of my all, my life. Let us all MAKE Him the center of our all, our lives.