Isaiah 1-3

July 22

Isaiah 1-3

The default setting of people is to turn away from God and to do our own thing. But God wants so much more for us. He loves us and pursues us with His love, but He also punishes us for our actions. Isaiah speaks of a day of great judgment instituted by God. He instructs the readers in Isaiah 2:10 "Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty!" Three times in this chapter Isaiah speaks of this dread of the Lord and the splendor of His majesty.

Many people think of God’s love, but they forget about “dread of the Lord.” God does not wink at sin and say; “that’s ok.” The worship of idols, whether it is a little statue, wealth, power, status, a home, or whatever else we may put ahead of God is not a minor issues. Most people in North America do not worship idols of silver or gold that they made to worship, but they worship a lot of things ahead of God. But when Jesus comes back, it will be a day of dread for many. It will be a Day of Judgment and punishment. When we see the splendor of His majesty, we will not be able to stay on our feet.

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, NIV) The return of Jesus and the Day of Judgment are not to be taken lightly. We should examine our lives and purge the impurities that have entered our lives. We are created and called to worship and serve God alone. There are many forces pulling us in various directions, but there is only one true God and He is a jealous God desiring all of our worship.