Isaiah 22

Father, we worship you today and may Your name be magnified in all the ends of the earth. Thank you LORD for the Word and as it goes out, may it be written on our hearts and convict us into truth that is found in Christ in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Today's post is from Isaiah chapter 22. Herein, the prophet Isaiah shares the LORD's proclamation against Jerusalem and the house of Shebna and I highly encourage you to read this chapter when you get a chance. I believe you will be blessed by it.

In Isaiah 22:11-13 NKJV, the LORD expresses His disappointment with Jerusalem and He says,

11."You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.

12.And in that day the LORD God of hosts called for weeping and for mourning, for baldness and for girding with sackcloth.

13.But instead, joy and gladness, slaying oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

In the above verses, we see the LORD God inviting His people to seek Him through prayer and outwardly by weeping, mourning and girding themselves with sackcloth. This was not because God wanted to deprive them of food and basic necessities but I believe He wanted to draw their attention to the most important thing which was and will always be His presence. Despite God's invitation, we see the people did not oblige. Instead, they chose disobedience by indulging in the pleasures of life thereby disregarding God's Word upon their lives.

In the book of Deuteronomy before the children of Israel entered the promised land that God had prepared for them, Moses, their leader at the time instructs them according to God's counsel. Some of the LORD's advice and commandment that Moses shares with God's people is for them to keep God in remembrance during all of life's seasons especially in the times of their prosperity. In Deuteronomy 8:11-14 NKJV, Moses cautioned the children of Israel, "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgements, and His statutes which I command you today, lest - when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage."

There's nothing wrong with material things and God indeed desires to bless you with them but the LORD does not desire for these material things to possess your heart. If food and wealth were not a temptation that would draw man away from God, then the enemy would not use them as a distraction against God's purposes for mankind. 1 John 2:15-16 tells us the temptation in the world may be categorized as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life and anyone who loves the world does not have the love of the Father in them.

During Jesus' ministry here on earth, He too was tempted by satan with temptations that are classified under the above categories. However, Jesus was able to conquer the enemy's temptations with God's Word. For instance in Matthew 4:4, when the enemy tempted him with commanding stones to bread, He responded, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." Friend, the Word of God is life and it has the ability to sustain you through every season including the enemy's temptations.

Today, the life of God that guards us from temptations has a name and His name is Jesus. Hebrews 2:18 (NKJV) reminds us of Jesus' compassion and heart towards all people, "for in that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted."

Jesus Christ is the only One who has the power to keep you safe especially during these uncertain times that we are currently living in this world and thankfully His arms of mercy and love are always stretched out for all who would want to experience a personal relationship with Him.

If you would like to know him, please say this prayer with me; I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever. Thank you Father that because the Son has made me free, I am now free indeed." AMEN.

Congratulations, by grace you are saved and are now a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old life has passed away and you have received the free gift of salvation into your life (2 Corinthians 5:17) where you get to freely access everything I've shared in this post. To the glory of the Almighty God. Amen.

I'll end with this Word found in:

Romans 14:17 (NKJV)

"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Psalm 62:10 (NLT)

"Don't make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don't make it the center of your life."

We receive the application of this Word into our lives not by power, not by might but by the Spirit of the LORD in the name of Jesus. Amen, Thank you LORD.