Thur.’s Devo - Discernment

Read: Isaiah 3:1-5:30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 22:28-29 Isaiah pronounces a terrible curse on Judah and Jerusalem. They will loose everything they had and they will turn on each other. They will be desperate for leaders but find none. But for the godly, all will go well for them and they will enjoy the reward they earned. The wicked will get what they deserve. The Lord calls them to court and tells them what his decision is and what it is based on. They ruined Israel by stealing from the poor for their own pleasure. They crushed God’s people, so their judgment will reflect their sin. God speaks of what will happen to the wicked in the final judgment and they will be stripped of all their ornaments and be clothed in sackcloth and shame. They will weep and mourn huddled on the ground. But God’s holy branch, the Church will be beautiful and glorious. They will wash the filth of the ungodly from the land. Like in the days of Moses, they will be covered with a cloud by day and fire by night. In Chapter five, God had planted a vineyard he called Israel and a garden he called Judah. He had expected to find a crop of justice and right living but instead found a nation of oppression and violence. People lived only for their own pleasure and didn’t even think about the Lord. They called evil, good and good, evil. They mocked God telling Him to do something about their state of affairs instead of repenting. So, the Lord had to tear down the walls of protection and let the vineyard and the garden be destroyed. Animals trampled it while it became overgrown with vines and thorns. God was going to whistle for other nations to come and destroy Jerusalem. They would come with their terrible armies and chariots and attack them. Many would be carted off to foreign nations where they would live as exiles. No one would be there to rescue them. God was telling them their future in hopes that they would repent and mourn for their state of affairs but they didn’t. God always warns us first of judgment and gives us ample time to repent. He desires mercy over judgment but he has to protect his Word. In Corinthians, Paul warns them of the men he calls “super apostles.” They were polished speakers who preached Jesus as being someone different than the Jesus Paul taught them. Paul explained how Satan deceived Eve by appearing as a beautiful serpent. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light so it was no wonder that he didn’t disguise himself as a servant of righteousness. In the end, these false prophets would reap what they sowed. Lord, help us to not be deceived by Satan’s deceptions. Keep our minds and spirits discerning and awake. May we know what is true and right in Your eyes.