SCRIPTURE

Studied: Isaiah 29; Isaiah 30; Isaiah 31; James 1

OBSERVATION

Isaiah 30:15 ~ The holy LORD God of Israel had told all of you, “I will keep you safe if you turn back to me and calm down. I will make you strong if you quietly trust me.”

APPLICATION

It seems like every time you turn around there was some battle going on, and while the stories of Israel and her surrounding nations often related to physical battles, today we can acknowledge that we have military wars going on also. However, I am equally concerned about the spiritual warfare going on among Christians and churches in which we serve, or at least attend. There are such areas of need in our communities and among our friends, yes in our own lives, but I feel like we are living in times similar to the times of Lot where God, and our people are looking for one holy people, or church, where they could use their newfound faith to serve and/or worship alongside. I heard of a new Christian yesterday and I started to think hard about a good church to recommend to them where they might connect with other Christians and grow in their spiritual walk and in turn, minister to others. Unfortunately I couldn’t think of one that I wouldn’t feel embarrassed about recommending, especially knowing about the issues that exist in one form or another at that church. What a pity! Churches have become so diluted and ineffective because God’s people have turned away from Him and stuck to their own, selfish and personal desires, that we are not good for any Godly purpose. In this verse I feel like God is still saying that if we (His people) will turn back to Him and quietly trust Him with all our being, He will keep us safe from the ills of this old world, and He will make us strong in our Godly desires to win the lost and grow the Christians. Bottom line is that if God’s people who are called by His name, will humble ourselves and pray, and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from Heaven and heal our land, our churches and our families. We should be on a mission to grow Christians, not tear them down; win the lost, not cause them to stay far away from the hypocritical attitudes and actions that they see in God’s people.

PRAYER

Lord, please keep us safe and strong. Make us bold to take a firm stand for You, one that will reflect Your love, mercy and grace towards all men. May we be so full of You and all that You represent to fallen man, that the unsaved will feel welcomed, and that they would not hesitate to make a decision to accept You as Lord and Savior of their lives, and to follow through by plugging in to Your work of the ongoing ministry of Your church.