Isaiah - Day 144
versebyverse | November 10, 2008 20:11
Scripture: Isaiah 7:25 (NIV): "As for all the hills once cultivated by the hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will become places where cattle are turned loose and where sheep run."
Thought: To me, it is not God's fault if my world "collapses."
Question: Have I ever criticized God in my heart for being cruel or unmerciful?
Formerly productive farm land "once cultivated by the hoe" goes to weeds and becomes basically worthless, fit only for wild grazing for animals. Why? God is judging the prople's sin. When our behaviors displease God, He lets the law of sowing and reaping flow out to fulfillment and the land demonstrates what we have sown.
"You will no longer go there for fear..." Again, as stated in yesterday's verse, there is a real sense of loss in the wording of these verses. The good land which once supported fruitful vines is now a threatening environment, painful and harsh, and people are afraid to even walk the land; but worse than this, they have lost the sweet fruit, the crop that God previously allowed them to enjoy. There is backwardness and deterioration--a loss of forward progress.
A common reaction to this whole matter of judgment upon sinful people is to criticize God for being cruel, exacting, unmerciful and rigid. But the real truth of the matter is that the people had been wicked, disobedient, immoral, deceptive and idolatrous. When the land becomes unfruitful and filled with "briers and thorns" it is a mirrored reflection of the people's immature and irresponsible behavior in rejecting God's ways.
And, if in time, some of the people turn away from their rebellion, return to God, confess their sin and realize God's love is still full and glorious, they may discover His undying mercy and complete forgiveness, and be restored. And when they are restored, the land will be restored and will begin to bear fruit once again.
Prayer: Father of mercy and forgiveness, help me to seek Your pardon for all my rebelliousness. Help me to understand the clear connection between the success of my environment and my relationship with You; that Your blessings come when I am walking in truth with You. Amen
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