PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Isaiah 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice.” (Isaiah 1:16)
What does Isaiah say is the problem with God’s pre-Jesus family (Israel)?
They are fulfilling the commands about worship and sacrifice, they go to temple!
The problem is that they are being outwardly religious, but inwardly cruel and corrupt.
They are abusive and greedy, trampling on the poor and the weak, ignoring their cries.
Their sin was not just misinterpreting their bible; they were willfully defying it.
Isaiah’s words sound a lot like Jesus to me, his message to the religious of his day.
I do not believe that the church today has gotten this bad.
There still seems a genuine desire to follow Jesus and his will in scripture.
But how does our religious activity compare to Isaiah’s list?
“Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; Plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:16-17)
Doing this does not save us; we are washed “white as snow” (1:18) by grace alone.
But that grace is propelling us towards justice and mercy, not more religiosity!
Our hands may not be “full of blood” (1:15), but are they full of justice, mercy, grace and love?
Is ‘justice’ my grace-inspired passion, is this kind of ‘being right’ what I am known for?
PRAYER
Lord, I do not want to be more religious, I want to be more like you. Thank you for your grace. Help me live so that my “hands are full of grace!”
“The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,” Israel forgot the Lord -or worshipped with empty words and routines but not true actions of love and justice – defending the poor and powerless. Lord, sometimes I go through the motions but my worship, my service is not genuine – I do things my way and my own ego stands in the way. The Lord humbles me from time to time – reminding me whose I am. When I humble myself and admit it – I find true grace and I am at peace! Thank you Lord Jesus!
Lord, continue to teach me in the way that I need to go so that I may walk in Your path for You are my Light and salvation. You are the Light of my Life and others need to see that Light. Make me an instrument of Your peace.
Make me a servant, Humble and meek,
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak,
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant today.