Isaiah 29: Holy God. Holy Worship. Holy Lives.

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 29.

Here is a humbling, yet, an encouraging chapter today.

The Master said: “These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their hearts aren’t in it. Because they act like they’re worshiping me but don’t mean it, I’m going to step in and shock them awake, astonish them, stand them on their ears. The wise ones who had it all figured out will be exposed as fools. The smart people who thought they knew everything will turn out to know nothing.” (v13-14, MSG).

How many times have we made a big show out of worship? How may times have I, as a pastor and prior to that an event producer, made a big show out of worship? Once I was responsible for 12,000 people coming together for one church service at a public arena. It was a big deal! Hopefully, those who attended saw past the big stage, the celebrity worship leader, the lights and sound system. With humility, I believe most worship leaders, pastors and producers do their best to make worship about providing a space where a heart to heart connection with God is encouraged and facilitated.

Isaiah’s word for the day is a good reminder to bring our heart-felt worship to the Father, every day, not just on Sundays. And to not act arrogantly. I don’t want to be stood on my ear or called out by God as a fool, do you?

There is great reassurance as this chapter ends with a true promise:

“And finally this, God’s Message for the family of Jacob, the same God who redeemed Abraham: “No longer will Jacob hang his head in shame, no longer grow gaunt and pale with waiting. For he’s going to see his children, my personal gift to him—lots of children. And these children will honor me by living holy lives. In holy worship they’ll honor the Holy One of Jacob and stand in holy awe of the God of Israel.”” (v22-23, MSG).

That’s life change! That’s true heart transformation! We are called to live holy lives and honor God in holy worship. Let’s do that!

We don’t need to hold our head in shame. Can we stand in holy awe of God and worship Him in Spirit and in truth today? Sunday? Every day?

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 6

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah.  Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 6. This is a power-packed chapter!

Let’s worship with the angels:

“Holy. Holy. Holy. Is the God-of-the-Angel-Armies. His bright glory fills the whole earth.” (v3 MSG).

We can approach the Throne only because He has chosen to forgive our sins. Gone is our guilt!

“Look. This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out.” And then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” (v8)

I see this little child, with his arm fully extended and his body bouncing up and down as he eagerly volunteers: “Oooo, I’ll go! Pick me! Pick me! Send me!” He can only be so eager because his sin has been so completely, so thoroughly, forgiven.

Can we be this enthused to represent God and to represent Jesus to the fallen world?

With open hands we ask God to lead us. Maybe He sends us as He leads us? He takes our hand and leads. But He also has our backs too.  Sometimes He’s pushing us along… to go out on His behalf. May we be sensitive to His Spirit as He leads and prods us along. And may we be comfortable with both ways, right?!

Are you willing to raise your hand? Am I? Where will He take us today?

 

 

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Isaiah 5

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Isaiah 5 7

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

There is a sad day coming, and some might ask if it’s not already here?

Isaiah opens this chapter with a hope that God has for His people. He has created a vineyard and tended it with care. “I had hoped for honesty and justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found.” (v. 17 CEV). All God asks is that we, His children, live holy lives. Because He is holy. Yes, that might be a tall order, but can’t we at least try?

Some have said that we live in a time right now when “evil is called good and good is called evil.” This is right out of this chapter!

“Doom to you who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness in place of light and light in place of darkness… doom to you who think you are so smart.” (v 20-21 MSG).

Oh, we are doomed! Walk down the streets of any city, read the daily news, this IS an evil, vile generation. May our prayer be “Forgive us, Lord! Bring conviction on us, God. Bring peace. Bring your children, your people, all of us, to repentance!”

Isaiah continues: “They make sure their banquets are well-furnished… but they’ll have nothing to do with the work of God. Pay no mind to what He is doing.” (v 15 MSG).

We must find a way to turn this world around! It will only be by God’s care and grace! Or else: “Every light in the sky will be blacked out by the clouds.” (v 30 MSG).

Isaiah is shouting a warning siren that has fallen on deaf ears. Even today. This is very sad.

There is hope! We can be saved. But we must first admit that God is holy and we are not. Can we do that? Can we live justly and honestly before God and man?

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.