ESOCS Devotional 11 January 2021
TEXT: ISAIAH 5:8-23
MEMORY VERSE: “But they do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.” Isaiah 5:12 NKJV
They do not care at all. It is as it was in the days of Noah. In his time, the word of God he preached and the warning about the impending doom that awaited the world at that time, fell on deaf ears. Our times are not different. People do not consider the signs of the times. As days go by, they go deeper and deeper into sin, wickedness, worldliness, and all kinds of ungodliness. They live their life as if there is no God to whom they must give account of their life. It is just as the Bible says, “The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right” (Ps. 14:1 AMP). But the day would surely come when we would give account of our stewardship – what we have done with God’s world, and in it.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
It is important that we study God’s dealings with people at ancient times – what He did when they lived godly life or went wayward into sinful and evil practices. Such lessons would teach us how to conduct our life. The Bible says, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age” (1 Cor. 10:11 NLT). We need to keep learning more and more about God and His ways so that we would be able to keep ourselves from trouble.
Peter prayed that we would “keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus” (2 Pet. 1:2). We need to be sensitive to His demands from us; and His demands are simple and not difficult or heavy. Our Lord Jesus showed us the way. He said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good — not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne” (Matt. 11:29-30 AMP). Let us learn these lessons from our Lord. He taught us: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34-35 NIV). Let us learn to eat His kind of food. It would nourish our spirit, soul, and body. The Father requires simple obedience from us. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all [sole duty of man]. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (KJV).
We would gain nothing from disobedience. But we have so much to gain through obedience. Obedience greases our relationship with God. It enables us to commune with Him, which is a great privilege. His blessings would abound towards us. We would experience and enjoy His protective care. The Holy Spirit would constantly guide and lead us in the things and ways of God. He would broaden our understanding. Our knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ our Lord would increase. The mystery of Christ and the gospel would be revealed to us. He would teach us the secrets of the kingdom of God for our benefit. The light of God’s countenance would shine on us continually. We would never lack His love, compassion, and faithfulness. We would always receive ready answers to our prayers. Surely, we would not lack any good thing.
Let us consider these things and be wise, and not be like the people who “do not regard the work of the Lord, nor consider the operation of His hands.”
CHALLENGES
Better to be a friend of God than His enemy. Think about it and do only the right things.
PRAYER POINT
Lord, teach me your ways and give me the grace to live by your word.
FURTHER READING: Daniel 7:15-27; Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 21:15-21
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ESOCS Devotional 11 January 2021
