Isaiah 1:5-10

The charges have been read - Israel is guilty of rebellion.  Their failure to know their own God and to understand His Word and His will -  had brought them to total corruption. They had become like Sodom and Gomorrah ...

Isaiah compares Israel to a person who is stricken with a terrible illness. "The whole head is sick. And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts, and raw wounds, not pressed out or bandaged, not softened with oil." (v5-6)  The consequences of sinful rebellion are always evident in one way or another.  We see it in the face of the criminal, in the life of the despondent, in the life choices of the rebellious.  Yes, many put on their masks and pretend that all is well, but we see it - even the rich and powerful, the "beautiful" people in our society... who too often succumb to their drinking, drugs, or immorality in an effort  to cover up the sadness of their hearts which have no hope.  

In verse 7 Isaiah points out the stark reality - "Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire, your fields - strangers are devouring them in your presence; It is desolation, as overthrown with strangers."  Here is the evidence that God's favor had been removed from the land - desolation, fire, floods, and destruction .  People were sick and the land was being stricken too.  Sounds like the headlines in our newspapers... 

The Lord calls His people -  Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities destroyed by God's terrible wrath because of the extent of depravity that filled them.  The destruction of Sodom was complete - "Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities and all the valley and all the inhabitants of these cities, and what grew on the ground."  (Gen. 19) All that was left the next morning was smoke and ashes. 

Yet, Lot and his daughters were saved out of Sodom.  And a remnant would be saved out of Judah...."like a shack in a vineyard, like a shed in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.."  The CJB calls it a "tiny, tiny remnant.."  And, I am reminded that Jesus said, " For many are called, but few are chosen." ( Matt. 22:14)  

Many are invited.. into the Kingdom.. into fellowship with Jesus Christ.  He is not willing that any should perish! But, we must respond to the invitation and come in the way that He has provided.  

Father, thank You for the Way that You provided, for Jesus, our Savior and King.. the Passover Lamb, slain for our ransom.   I join my voice with the saints -  to testify that "It is worth it all!"  to follow Jesus!  You can heal the sickness of sin and You can heal our land.. if we call to You and seek You and pray, humbling ourselves before You, Lord of Hosts.  Help us! "God, restore us! Make Your face shine, and we will be saved.... God of armies, please come back!" ( Ps. 80;3,14) Thank You for being kind and compassionate.. and patient with us. We give You all praise and glory and honor. In Christ's name we pray. Amen. 

May the Grace of Jesus Christ be with you!