Isaiah 32:9-20 (NRSV)
A fruitful field
Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice;
you complacent daughters, listen to my speech.
In little more than a year you will shudder,
you complacent ones;
for the vintage will fail,
the fruit harvest will not come.
Tremble, you women who are at ease,
shudder, you complacent ones;
strip, and make yourselves bare,
and put sackcloth on your loins.
Beat your breasts for the pleasant fields,
for the fruitful vine,
for the soil of my people
growing up in thorns and briers;
yes, for all the joyous houses
in the jubilant city.
For the palace will be forsaken,
the populous city deserted;
the hill and the watchtower
will become dens forever,
the joy of wild asses,
a pasture for flocks;
until a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
The forest will disappear completely,
and the city will be utterly laid low.
Happy will you be who sow beside every stream,
who let the ox and the donkey range freely.
DEVOTION
I think we instinctively know that sin causes great hardship in our lives, families, communities, nation, and world.
We know that the fruit of hate, lust, and greed is war, destruction, starvation, murder, mayhem, lying, rape, abuse, theft, adultery, disrespect, and ultimately idolatry.
We know that no good thing ever emerges when we forsake the basic commandment to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves.
So, it should comes as no surprise that the prophet Isaiah is quick to detail the destruction that will come about should the people fail to repent of their sin and turn back to God.
There is always destruction when we separate ourselves from God with our sin. I know that I can do nothing good a part from God’s blessing and favor and neither can you.
Isaiah seems to suggest today that the root of sin is complacency and ease. We “forget” the sacred covenant that has been made between ourselves and our God. We “forget” the importance of practicing the Golden Rule (e.g., do unto others, as you would have them do unto you). We “forget” that all of humanity shares a common thread and a mutual destiny.
When we “forget” our God and go our own way, we will always fall into the trap of sin. We will displease God, and neighbor, as we seek our own greedy gain.
Now, you may be asking at this point, “Where is the GOOD NEWS?” (smile)
Let me assure you--as always--GOOD NEWS ABOUNDS!
The GOOD NEWS is that God has made provision for our sin through the death of Jesus Christ! Whilst God would have been just in providing us with a consequence for sin that would have left us shuddering, trembling, destroyed, forsaken and deserted, God’s love simply said, “NO.”
God’s love would not allow God to give us what we deserve. Instead, God gave us what we did not deserve which was grace and mercy wrapped up in the flesh of the God-Man called JESUS.
Jesus took our sin upon himself, going to an old rugged cross, where he hung, bled, and died making atonement for our sin, reconciling our relationship with God, and opening the door to our eternal life and relationship with our Creator.
Isn’t this an Amazing Love? And whilst the fruit of sin are the “sour grapes” of death and destruction, the fruit of love is the sweet wine of justice, righteousness, peace, quiet, trust, and happiness!
WOW! God was able to give us all that and more when Jesus died on the cross and rose again on the third day victorious over sin, death, and the grave!
No more are we hostage to the sin condition that plagues humanity. No longer do we have to waste away, enduring the destruction that comes as a result of our inability to love.
As we put all of our hope in Jesus, accepting the free gift of salvation, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, which equips and empowers us to love the unlovable, to reach the unreachable, and to preach the GOOD NEWS that God loves, gave, and saves!
Today’s scripture makes it plain that as human beings, we ultimately have only two choices. We can choose the path of hatred, greed, and lust which leads to our destruction, or we can choose the path of love, joy, and peace that leads to our salvation.
In the first case, we put all of our hope in ourselves and in the second we put all of our hope in God.
I’m not a betting woman, but if I was, I would bet on Jesus every time!
Are you ready for a new beginning? Will you put all of your hope in Jesus, seeking to live a life rooted in love?
If so, please pray with me:
Dear God, thank you for loving me so much! I believe that Jesus died on the cross and that you raised him from the dead! Thank you for the wonderful grace of Jesus! Please forgive all of my sin and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I truly want to live a life full of love. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
SPECIAL NOTE
If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! I would be so honored if you would let me know about your decision by clicking “Yes” in the poll located at the top/right of today’s devotional! I am so happy for you! Happy Spiritual Re-Birth-Day!
Next steps: In response to what God did for you just now, let me suggest that you consider telling another Christian so that they can celebrate with you! Ask them to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand so that you can learn more about your new-found faith! Ask them to help you find a good Bible believing church where you can make new friends who will walk with you on your new journey! You are already saved; now let God mature you by faith! Congratulations!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment