Isaiah One

"The ox knows it's owner and the donkey its master's crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not consider" Isaiah 1:3

I have a friend who is making some really dumb choices right now. It's frustrating because I know the things he's doing now are going to effect his entire life.

The worst is, he knows what he's doing is wrong. He justifies his choices by looking at other people who have walked down the same path, but got back on track. He says "they had their fun, and they turned out all right. Now it's my turn".

This is so dangerous.

Every choice I make has an effect on tomorrow. I wish I understood... or maybe I should say I wish I listened to those older and wiser than I as I made stupid choices. I realize now the choices I made at 16, 17, 18 are effecting me now. They're also affecting Kelly, Ethan, and Madisyn too.

I wish I had been more aware.

More important than the consequences of our choices, is the choice to wilfully walk away from God. To break fellowship with Him and move along in life, without giving Him the place He should have in our life.

You see the nation of Judah was in the same position. They had God's law, but they chose to ignore it. They still put on a show for God (1:11-14), but they were no where near to God. Going through the motions of religion, without their heart in it. Living a lie.

In fact a little later, in chapter 5 God gives six woes. One of those woes is to people who dare God to bring on His judgement (see 5:18-19). "... let Him make speed, let Him hasten His work, that we may see it." Are you serious? How stupid? Dare God to bring on His judgement?

How stupid is it for us to play around with sin. Do you really think you can escape the consequences? I think God loves you and I too much to allow us to get away with our sin.

When we ignore God, and wilfully live life our way we're in a sense daring God to bring on Judgement.

Even when we get things back on track, a part of us is left behind, and we find ourselves carrying extra baggage. Not worth it.

In verse 16 Isaiah says this "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of you deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil."

Know the who your Master is. Hear Him when He calls you. Wash yourself. Make yourself clean. Cease to do evil.