- Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. Isaiah 3:24 – To help you understand the context, you could read the verse by adding “Because of your sin…” right before the first “instead of.” God was opening the eyes of His people that the beauty and riches they have gained as a result of pursing sin wasn’t going to last. That He Himself was going to put an end to all of it and the things they held so dear would actually become signs of disgrace for them. How often has this happened with us? Where the sinful things we thought were so cool and gave us a temporary fulfillment become later on things we wish were never chapters in our story. Lets open our eyes a little more to the fullness of what our sin actually gives us, a temporary high and then a lifetime of regret. Think in the moment of temptation is the end result of what this sin gives me going to be something I want as a permanent part of the story of my life. If not, then step away and choose a new path. Your story is a beautiful one, don’t let it be filled with chapters you long to skip over. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1204
- The Lord has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples. Isaiah 3:13 – Imagine being in court for a crime you committed. The prosecutor stands up and proclaims your wrongs and his belief that you ought to be punished for your wrongs. Now though it’s up to the judge to decide what to do, yet…what if the prosecutor is also the judge? If the prosecutor and the judge are the same person, you know you’ll be found guilty. Here God is declaring Himself both prosecutor and judge. He is shedding light on the sinfulness of Judah, and revealing the coming punishment on such sin. As you read over the chapter, you see such a level of despair ahead for Judah, and if only they would have acknowledged God’s reign, things would likely have been different. Can we then today acknowledge that God is still both prosecutor and judge? If then that’s the case, and God sees all our life, and God is the one that deals out the judgement…ought we not live in such a way that is pleasing to Him? Our obedience and submission to God ought not to be out of fear of punishment, yet let’s acknowledge the majesty and power of the God we follow and treat our relationship with Him with such understanding. While we may be saved from our sin, God will still allow us to taste the bitter consequences of our choices of sin in this life when we continue to embrace it. Choose to embrace a faithful life instead. Understand God’s power, learn His ways, and seek to remain faithful to the path He leads. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2670
Daily DEVO 