The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 20:3 (MSG)
It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 97:8-9 (HCSB)
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the towns of Judah rejoice because of Your judgments, Lord. 9 For You, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; You are exalted above all the gods.
The Word of God for encouragement:
Isaiah 17:7-11 (HCSB)
7 On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8 They will not look to the altars they made with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they made with their fingers. 9 On that day their strong cities will be like the abandoned woods and mountaintops that were abandoned because of the Israelites; there will be desolation. 10 For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and you have failed to remember the rock of your strength; therefore you will plant beautiful plants and set out cuttings from exotic vines. 11 On the day that you plant, you will help them to grow, and in the morning you will help your seed to sprout, [but] the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain.
My observation:
The focal passage today reminds me that every decision we make in life has consequences. The phrase "On that day" is included three times in this chapter. It is included twice in our focal passage (verses 7 and 9), and in verse 4.
The northern kingdom of Israel made an alliance with Syria. However, that alliance proved to be the wrong decision for Israel and for Syria. Both of them were defeated in battle by the Assyrians. This is an example to us that if we put our trust in people that do not trust in the Lord, we may find ourselves receiving the judgment that they receive. The people you link your life with have consequences.
If only are words that we often use when we look back on life after we have suffered the consequences of unwise decisions. The mistake that Israel made was a spiritual one. The problem that Israel had was her disobedience of God. This failure to remember the God of her salvation resulted in the judgment of God upon the people.
Isaiah 17:10-11 (HCSB)
10 For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and you have failed to remember the rock of your strength; therefore you will plant beautiful plants and set out cuttings from exotic vines. 11 On the day that you plant, you will help them to grow, and in the morning you will help your seed to sprout, [but] the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain.
My prayer:
Father God, Abba, Father, I pray that I will guard my heart so that the spirit of disobedience will not result in me forgetting the God of my salvation. Father, I don't want to have to look back on my life and have to say, "If only". Instead, Father, may the response of my heart be, "Yes, Lord".
My song:
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus (Click on link below to listen to this song):
http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Have_Decided_to_Follow_Jesus/midi/
--
http://www.herbcotton.org
To receive via email: Send request to me at: herb@herbcotton.org
Matthew 24:35 (HCSB)
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
No comments:
Post a Comment