ESOCS Devotional 17 January 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 65:1-16
MEMORY VERSE:
“But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.” Isaiah 65:11-12 KJV
Reviewing our text today, God again indicts the rebels in Israel who were consecrated to idols, furnishing themselves sacrifices and drink offerings. The rebels were to be destroyed and their cursing was to be the opposite of the blessing of the godly. They furnished the sacrifices and drink offerings to those heathenistic gods in order to secure what they believed would be good fortune. This rebellious acts could be equated with witchcraft (1 Sam. 15:23a). With Israel seeking help from demonic spirits, they were, in effect, forfeiting the help that God could give; and also actually making God their enemy, who would fight against them. When God called, they did not answer; when He spoke, they did not hear. They had the opportunity to hear either demonic spirits, i.e., the “god of fortune”, or else the “God of Heaven”. Sadly and regrettably, they chose to hear the “god of fortune”, and refused to answer or hear the “God of Heaven”. The result of their action was that they shall all bow down to the slaughter (i.e. die a violent death).
In this age and time, God is still calling, and He is still speaking. Anyone that fails to answer God’s call and fails to hear (listen to) Him speaking, is rebellious. If you choose to disobey God and do evil, then:
- While God’s servants (the obedient) are eating, you will go hungry.
- While God’s servants are drinking, you will go thirsty.
- While God’s servants are rejoicing, you will be put to shame.
- While God’s servants are singing out of the joy of their hearts, you will be crying out of anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.
- You will leave your name to God’s chosen ones as a curse.
- The sovereign Lord will put you to death.
- But to His servants, He will give another name.
Considering the foregoing, no one should fancy being among those to receive God’s punishment for being rebellious (Prov. 1:23-33).
- Be frank and ask yourself whether you truly belong to the group that truly obeys God.
- Pray God to Grant you the grace of true repentance and obedience to Him.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 45:14-17; John 6:27-38; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
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ESOCS Devotional 17 January 2022
