- Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go into the gardens, following one in the midst, eating pig’s flesh and the abomination and mice, shall come to an end together, declares the Lord. Isaiah 66:17 – We have here the people spoken of searching to find holiness and purity, but going about it in the wrong ways. Here they follow one another in participating in all the idolatrous ways of the nations around them, seeking purity through them. That somehow they would find life and peace through sinfulness. As we close up Isaiah today, much of what we see in this book is the reminder that life, peace, purity, and salvation only come from God. There are endless other places shouting out that you can find all that and more from them, but what we’ve seen through this book is that none can fulfill their promise. God is the only one speaking to you, not shouting at you, that can truly come through on all that He promises. Is then what you are pursing the most in life actually able to give you what you really need in life? If there is needing a course change in your story, know God is here with arms wide open and I’m here to help however I can. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1267
- From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the Lord. “And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh. Isaiah 66:23-24 – After over two months of studying Isaiah, we are closing out this book with an image of the ultimate closing of the story of humanity. God is allowing our eyes to get a glimpse of the only two eternal destinations available for us. As one commentary put it, “Worship or Worm.” We can choose to respond to the call of God to follow Him and our eternal destination will be worshiping Him in Heaven with all those that have made that choice with us. We also can choose to rebel against the call of God to follow our own ways. If that’s our choice our eternal destination is Hell where the worm will not die and the fire will not be quenched. While that image is abhorring, exactly as scripture says it will be, understand it’s the future for all who reject the call of God. We see in verse 4 how God is calling and speaking, but they did not answer or listen. Know then today that God’s call is going out. He is making it known to the world that He is alive, He is real, and He alone has the path to eternal life. If you have already responded faithfully to His call, begin now extending the sound of God’s voice to others by proclaiming the gospel with your voice. If you have not responded to the call of the Lord yet, make today the day of your response. The Lord loves you and the Lord has made a way for you to find salvation through Jesus Christ. The “worm” doesn’t have to be your future. Turn to Jesus, accept His gift of salvation, and follow Him for the rest of your days. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2733
Daily DEVO 