Isaiah 20-23

July 27

Isaiah 20-23

Trouble was near. God was bringing His discipline against Jerusalem because they had turned from God and put their trust in other nations. They did not trust God, serve Him, or obey Him. Even when their backs were against the wall, they trusted in their own abilities. Their leaders had fled and been captured by the enemy. They stored up water to provide their needs during a blockade. They strengthened their walls and built a reservoir between the walls, but they neglected their best defense. "You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth." (Isaiah 22:11-12, NIV)

God called the Israelites to repentance, but they continued to try to take care of things themselves. When they realized they had no hope, they threw a party and waited for the enemy to overtake them. No matter what the consequences, they refused to repent, to turn from their sin and to turn to God for help.

They were not much different than many people today. We do not like to admit our faults. We do not like to admit that we need help. Many people will not turn to God, even if it means death and destruction. God loves us, He provides a way out of our sentence of eternity in hell. We cannot save ourselves, so God came in the flesh to save us. But we have to be willing to turn from our sin and to turn to Him and seek His help.

When we look to Jesus as our Savior, we find life in the face of death. We find hope in the face of hopelessness. We find the way out of our slavery to sin. But we have to be willing to turn from ourselves and turn to Him.