Words of Wisdom #292: “On That Day” is too late!
An oracle against Damascus: Look, Damascus is no longer a city. It has become a ruined heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken; they will be [places] for flocks. They will lie down without fear. The fortress disappears from Ephraim, and a kingdom from Damascus. The remnant of Aram will be like the splendor of the Israelites. [This is] the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. On that day the splendor of Jacob will fade, and his healthy body will become emaciated. It will be as if a reaper had gathered standing grain—his arm harvesting the heads of grain—and as if one had gleaned heads of grain in the valley of Rephaim. Only gleanings will be left in Israel, as if an olive tree had been beaten—two or three berries at the very top of the tree, four or five on its fruitful branches. [This is] the declaration of the Lord, the God of Israel. On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars they made with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they made with their fingers. On that day their strong cities will be like the abandoned woods and mountaintops that were abandoned because of the Israelites; there will be desolation. For you have forgotten the God of your salvation, and you have failed to remember the rock of your strength; therefore you will plant beautiful plants and set out cuttings from exotic vines. On the day that you plant you will help them to grow, and in the morning you will help your seed to sprout, [but] the harvest will vanish on the day of disease and incurable pain. Isaiah 17:1-11 (HCSB)
During this period of Israel’s history, Isaiah was told to prophesy about the deception and conspiracy of Israel (Samaria) with Aram (Damascus). They had hoped they could continue to walk in their polytheistic ways and live the ways that suited them, and as allies they could hopefully thwart the onslaught the Lord arranged through the Assyrians. However, once the onslaught began and the outcome was clear, the people of Israel turned from their worthless idols and self-made gods that served their needs and they called to the Lord for deliverance. However, the Lord said no to them! They had abandoned Him long ago and served their own interests, and God fully understood the intent of their hearts. These were not repentant souls seeking His covenant. They were people realizing their man-made gods and concocted allegiances and schemes were not going to save them, so they sought the Lord’s protection for their own interests. They did not seek God because they loved Him, but merely realized they needed Him. Thus, the Lord said no to them. He said, you believed you could be fruitful without Me, but now you have realized the folly of your foolishness. Thus, when “That Day” arrives, they learned a “life” altering fact about the Lord…He knows our motives and responds to sincere hearts, not selfish, self-serving hearts!
What about us, the lesson rings true for our lives as well. How many of us only seek God in the tough times and when someone is in great need? How many have erected your own idols and worship your own will, your own ways, and base your actions upon your own wisdom, and never consider God’s will, God’s ways, or God’s wisdom according to God’s Word? You know the truth, but deny the truth in your life by your decisions and actions. However, when life is stacked against you and there is a threat to your life or security, then as a last ditch effort you plea to the Lord. But why should the Lord honor your request? Do you believe God honors all prayers from all people? Do you think His love and grave and mercy are that flexible? Consider the words that the Lord said to Solomon.
Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice. If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place. And I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there at all times. 2 Chron 7:12-16 (HCSB)
Sincerity and humility and true repentance are the signs that the Lord seeks from His people. The Lord does desire to forgive and to respond to, but not when you enter with a give me attitude. “On that day” will it be too late for you? Think about your relationship with the Lord.
Coach
www.coachbrown.org
“Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. Matt 6:9-15 (HCSB)