“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:17-20 NIV
I woke up early with a snippet from the song Flawless by MercyMe running through my mind; "Still the truth is, the cross has made - the cross has made you flawless" and then our text for today came to mind, "Though your sins be as scarlet..."
I find it interesting that of this particular Scripture passage, the only part I had memorized (in the King James Version) was verse 18, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. How often do we do take just the "Feel Good" portion of Scripture?
In reading the chapter fully, it's whole message is about a nation whose rebellion is so rampant that God hates everything they do - how they still ritually perform the feasts and festivals, even pray! He won't have any part of it and yet, His love is so great, He offers them a way back to Himself. Always a way back to Himself...
How often do we think it's something WE do that gets us back in right standing with the Father? How often do we get find ourselves entangled in the cares of this world because we've somehow confused those cares for our commitments to Christ? How often do we settle for pepper praying - a little here, a little there - because we're busy "doing life"? How often do we expect God to settle for less because "He knows how I am"?
The Truth is God made the only Way to get us back to Himself and His way is flawless. The Truth is it's Who was on the Cross that made us flawless - Jesus the Christ - who gave His life to pay the debt for our sins. The Truth is the only thing WE can do is Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... (Matthew 6:33). Not as the last resort. First.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for less than measures. Forgive us for settling and expecting You to do the same. Forgive us for every time we used You as the last resort. Keep us ever mindful of You first. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
I woke up early with a snippet from the song Flawless by MercyMe running through my mind; "Still the truth is, the cross has made - the cross has made you flawless" and then our text for today came to mind, "Though your sins be as scarlet..."
I find it interesting that of this particular Scripture passage, the only part I had memorized (in the King James Version) was verse 18, Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. How often do we do take just the "Feel Good" portion of Scripture?
In reading the chapter fully, it's whole message is about a nation whose rebellion is so rampant that God hates everything they do - how they still ritually perform the feasts and festivals, even pray! He won't have any part of it and yet, His love is so great, He offers them a way back to Himself. Always a way back to Himself...
How often do we think it's something WE do that gets us back in right standing with the Father? How often do we get find ourselves entangled in the cares of this world because we've somehow confused those cares for our commitments to Christ? How often do we settle for pepper praying - a little here, a little there - because we're busy "doing life"? How often do we expect God to settle for less because "He knows how I am"?
The Truth is God made the only Way to get us back to Himself and His way is flawless. The Truth is it's Who was on the Cross that made us flawless - Jesus the Christ - who gave His life to pay the debt for our sins. The Truth is the only thing WE can do is Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness... (Matthew 6:33). Not as the last resort. First.
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us for less than measures. Forgive us for settling and expecting You to do the same. Forgive us for every time we used You as the last resort. Keep us ever mindful of You first. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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