Thurs.’s Devo - Live as Sons

Read: Isaiah 28:14-30:11; Galatians 3:23-4:31; Psam 62:1-12; Proverbs 23:19-21 The leaders of Jerusalem had found a way, they thought, to live forever. They had been so deceived they believed nothing could harm them. What they trusted in was nothing but lies. *** God was placing a cornerstone, a righteous standard that would test their hearts. Their lies would be exposed as empty hopes. The fate they thought they were exempt from would come in like a flood and destroy their lies and their lives. Jerusalem would become an altar covered with blood. God would fight against her. After Jerusalem is destroyed, God would turn and fight the ones who he used to destroy it. *** God’s plans will be hidden from his rebellious people. The humble will survive and their eyes will be opened to see what the Lord is doing. The remnant will understand it had to happen this way and it is glorious. *** Those who didn’t know the Lord would turn to Egypt for help, but they would get nothing from them. Their payment to Egypt will be in vain. *** God instructed Isaiah to write all this down because it will stand until the end of time as a witness against them because they refused to hear the words of God’s prophets. *** In Galatians, Paul taught us that the law kept us till faith could come through Christ. Now Christ is our guardian, the keeper of our soul. We are now God’s children because of our faith, not Jewish DNA. We Gentiles are now heirs to all the promises God gave Abraham. *** Paul reminds us that it is our choice to live like a slave or to live like a son. The law made us slaves but the salvation that Jesus gives invites us to be God’s son. *** Lord, may we live like sons and daughters of the Lord and not slaves to sin. Thank you for this great covenant you have offered us. Great are you, Lord!