This are just the thoughts on my reading of Isaiah 1. I am reading it with a friend and we comment on what God spoke to our hearts through the reading. Enjoy!
This chapter was an eye opener in many ways.
My first stop was in verse 3, almost at the end when God calls them "my people".
At all times, the Lord shows that he cares for and loves us with the many names that he calls us. I remember to have read somewhere in the new testament when he calls us "my loved children" or something like that. I had to stop reading because I was crying my eyes out. He is so loving and sometimes even romantic. All this in spite of our unfaithfulness.
But as we continue reading, We find out what a sinful nation Israel was (and still is). Verse 4b says: "they have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him." this fills my heart with anger. I am also reading the Bible from the beginning and I'm going through Exodus. It is such an eye opener. Such a great way to remind me that I am so many times like Israel. I mean, in both readings my heart wishes I could go back in time and tell them to not be so stupid!! God showed himself to them in amazing ways, with wonderful miracles and they had the guts to complain! and wish they were back in Egypt, where at least they had food and a bed. How heart breaking is that?! and yet, God is telling me, Flor Slezak, that many times I am the same. I complain, I am a sinful nation that forsakes the Lord and turn my back on him. With my action, or lack there of! my attitudes and behavior.
As I continued reading I stopped again at verse 9. "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah." I see God's mercy. Matthew 5:45b says: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." And that is true, but his mercies are everlasting. And In this case, because of the little good ones, his mighty hand did not destroy them. The Lord gives us many chances to choose him. Jumping to verse 19 where it says "If you are willing and obedient". So it is a matter of us wanting to follow him. Being obedient to him and not our own flesh or people around us.
On verses from 11-13. "stop bringing meaningless offerings!" We can get so caught up in "christian activities" "doing this for the Lord or doing that for Lord", "being involved in church and ministries" or even making promises to God. Not that all that is bad. Gosh no!, but when our heart forgets Him for whom we are doing all this, then it all becomes meaningless. Most religions ask us "TO DO" things in order to make the gods happy and receive blessings. Jesus asks us "TO BE" regardless of what we will receive. Specially in this world. We are not from this world, our treasures should be in heaven, with our father. Our hearts should love God more than what God can do for us. Not just the God of mercy, not just the God of love, but just THE GOD.
This chapter makes me think of my own life as well as our countries. Nations that could be blessed beyond believe and that could serve God with all their heart. But many times we choose not to. Our silver becomes dross and our choice wine is diluted with water. Our rulers are rebels, conpanions of thieves, they all love brides and chase after gifts. And so do we. So do I. God is calling us to come back to him, to choose him. To be willing and obedient.
Flor.
This chapter was an eye opener in many ways.
My first stop was in verse 3, almost at the end when God calls them "my people".
At all times, the Lord shows that he cares for and loves us with the many names that he calls us. I remember to have read somewhere in the new testament when he calls us "my loved children" or something like that. I had to stop reading because I was crying my eyes out. He is so loving and sometimes even romantic. All this in spite of our unfaithfulness.
But as we continue reading, We find out what a sinful nation Israel was (and still is). Verse 4b says: "they have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him." this fills my heart with anger. I am also reading the Bible from the beginning and I'm going through Exodus. It is such an eye opener. Such a great way to remind me that I am so many times like Israel. I mean, in both readings my heart wishes I could go back in time and tell them to not be so stupid!! God showed himself to them in amazing ways, with wonderful miracles and they had the guts to complain! and wish they were back in Egypt, where at least they had food and a bed. How heart breaking is that?! and yet, God is telling me, Flor Slezak, that many times I am the same. I complain, I am a sinful nation that forsakes the Lord and turn my back on him. With my action, or lack there of! my attitudes and behavior.
As I continued reading I stopped again at verse 9. "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah." I see God's mercy. Matthew 5:45b says: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." And that is true, but his mercies are everlasting. And In this case, because of the little good ones, his mighty hand did not destroy them. The Lord gives us many chances to choose him. Jumping to verse 19 where it says "If you are willing and obedient". So it is a matter of us wanting to follow him. Being obedient to him and not our own flesh or people around us.
On verses from 11-13. "stop bringing meaningless offerings!" We can get so caught up in "christian activities" "doing this for the Lord or doing that for Lord", "being involved in church and ministries" or even making promises to God. Not that all that is bad. Gosh no!, but when our heart forgets Him for whom we are doing all this, then it all becomes meaningless. Most religions ask us "TO DO" things in order to make the gods happy and receive blessings. Jesus asks us "TO BE" regardless of what we will receive. Specially in this world. We are not from this world, our treasures should be in heaven, with our father. Our hearts should love God more than what God can do for us. Not just the God of mercy, not just the God of love, but just THE GOD.
This chapter makes me think of my own life as well as our countries. Nations that could be blessed beyond believe and that could serve God with all their heart. But many times we choose not to. Our silver becomes dross and our choice wine is diluted with water. Our rulers are rebels, conpanions of thieves, they all love brides and chase after gifts. And so do we. So do I. God is calling us to come back to him, to choose him. To be willing and obedient.
Flor.
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