Daily Manna 5 March
MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 1:19 – “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
READ: Isaiah 1:16-31 (KJV)
16. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
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.
19. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land;
20. But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
21. How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
22. Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water;
23. Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards; they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
24. Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies;
25. And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin;
26. And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning; afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
27. Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
28. And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
29. For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
30. For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
31. And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
Samuel, a prophet of God said, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams”. Obedience to God and His words brings earthly and eternal rewards. Willingness to do the needful is not enough; it must always go with obedience before it is acceptable to God. It is often said that every act of obedience adds a new touch of beauty to the soul.
Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel had gone into sin of disobedience and unrighteousness that threatened her national and economic integrity and favour with God. Isaiah called the attention of Judah to reason with God and amend their ways. The princes of the nation were rebellious and companions of thieves. Bribery and corruption coupled with injustice were visible in the land. God gave them the option of repentance and called them to reason with Him and turn away from empty religion without righteousness.
Many go to their places of worship today to make financial contributions like paying of tithes and offering, but they do not have valid relationship with God. No amount of good works can earn salvation. God is willing to save all who come to Him in true repentance and obedience to His word.
Our outward sacrifices and service bring no joy to God if inward faith and righteousness are missing. Gifts and offering are nothing to Him when they emanate from a corrupt and an unrighteous heart. God wants sins of every form removed from our lives first before He can be pleased with our sacrifices of time, treasure and talents. He requires His people to come out of pride, profanity and external religion, and be in true fellowship with Him.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Prompt obedience to God’s word is the hallmark of true Christianity.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 21-24
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Willingness With Obedience – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 5 March 2021
