Thursday, July 9, 2015

Thurs.’s Devo -The Remnant

Read: Isaiah 1-4
In the midst of all the rebellion and sin, God always has a remnant. Isaiah calls them the daughter of Zion. He compares her to a cottage in the midst of a vineyard, a lodge in a garden of cucumbers and a besieged city. That is what the body of Christ is. The New Testament describes us as lights in the midst of darkness, a city on a hill, and lambs in the midst of wolves. But, like Isaiah said in verse 9, if it wasn’t for the remnant the whole world would be destroyed. We hold back God’s judgment.
Isaiah’s name means “God has saved.” Isaiah speaks of the salvation of the Lord that will one day come to His people.
God hates idle worship and show. He hates sin but he loves mercy and forgiveness and he pleads with Israel to come and
reason with him. Though their sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. It is up to them whether they are blessed or cursed.
God’s plan is redemption and righteousness. One day God will redeem his people and they will be ashamed of the things they once lusted for. Their whole attitude and desires will be changed. One day, Jerusalem will become the mountain of the Lord’s once again and people will desire to know his laws and peace will be restored on the earth. But before this happens, there will be great judgment on the earth. Judah and Israel will be judged for their sin against God. Chapter three is a picture of what that will look like. It’s not pretty. But, chapter 4 shows us that for the remnant it will be glorious. They shall escape this judgment.
Lord, we see this happening in our day. Show us how to pray.

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