In Isaiah 59 the prophet was bringing it! He was not holding back. All around him, he saw people who were not living in truth (Isaiah 59:15). There was a decided lack of justice and righteousness in his world.
Just like you and me, he longed for truth to save the day. Perhaps unlike us, however, he recognized that the way out of the abyss of living a lie begins with the understanding of the true offense. The core issue is found in verses Isaiah 59:12-13, where Isaiah states, “Our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord.”
We can feel guilty all we want about our sins. But until we acknowledge that the root of our sin is rebellion against God, our lives will lack complete truth.
Christian writer and Bible teacher A. W. Tozer had a good grasp on what it means to understand our condition before God. He wrote: “For a long time I have believed that truth, to be understood, must be lived; that Bible doctrine is wholly ineffective until it has been digested and assimilated by the total life. . . . Truth in the Scriptures is more than a fact. A fact may be detached, impersonal, cold, and totally disassociated from life. Truth, on the other hand, is warm, living, and spiritual” (from the book That Incredible Christian).
As we dig into God’s Word, we find that the words probe ever deeper into our hearts. We no longer see sin as simply “bad” or “ugly.” We begin to realize that sin is a result of turning our backs on God. It’s flat-out rebellion.
Live in truth today. Confess to God your own rebellion against Him. Bring it to Him and hold nothing back.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 22:29-40
More:
Read Psalm 107:10-15 to see the state of those who choose to rebel against God and what happens when they turn to Him in repentance.
Next:
Why is it important for you to understand that rebellion against God is the core issue of sin? How have you been rebelling against Him?
dabac on April 22, 2012 at 4:26 pm
I have a general comment, rather suggestion, in good faith:
Maybe no devotional should be published on Sunday, in order for people to rather hear “devotional”, or sermons in services in their churches?
(Good devotional though! It’s not the issue.)
tom felten on April 23, 2012 at 8:11 am
Thanks for your thought, dabac. We love to hear fresh ideas from the odj community! I trust your Sunday was a blessing.;
rncinca on April 23, 2012 at 3:08 pm
I understand your point dabac regarding the focus on each individual’s Sunday church service. Just a reminder that there are some professions that must work on Sundays (I am a nurse and there is a weekend requirement at my hospital) even if it is not all the time. When I have to work, if I can I read these devotionals at my break, if possible, otherwise after work and really appreciate the opportunity to do so! I would also like to express my appreciation to all of the ODJ writers that bring so much of their wisdom and experience here to share with us!!
dabac on April 24, 2012 at 4:07 am
I see!
Thanks for your replies, I agree with you.
Sorry for being so “close-minded” about it.
One can never have enough devotionals 🙂
God bless all, those who post devotionals and those who read!
@ rncinca:
I assume, since you work that job, you are a blessing to all the people around you. Keep up the good work and keep worshiping Lord! I’ll be praying for you, your family and your patients.
OnMyWayHome on April 22, 2012 at 10:09 pm
I planned on reading the Bible throughout the year. I stopped this last week due to sickness and tiredness and did not return. I’m I getting on Gods good side if I continue to read? Or do I look forward and see the hand of God on the people of Israel and the world in the Old and New Testaments.
Is it rebellion? I ask please pray that I endeavor to complete that which I have started. Not for head knowledge, to know what the will of God is and what shalt I do to accomplish it.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
tom felten on April 23, 2012 at 8:14 am
Praying for you, OnMyWayHome. I do not believe that reading the Bible through in one year will “get you on God’s good side.” But it is true that reading it can provide wisdom and life-changing instruction! Press on, and I encourage you to not worry so much about the quantity of your reading—focus in on the quality of your time with God!
dabac on April 24, 2012 at 4:11 am
I agree with Tom!
You should not fall into trap “Oh-no! I didn’t catch up the yearly plan – I fell out the grace!”
Just let yourself being guided by God’s word! Chose other passages, not just ones that are “scheduled” by the yearly plan!
You’ll catch up in time. Don’t worry.
That’s my advice that worked for me in similar situation. (And I ended up reading the whole Bible, after all, but it took more than year, so what.)
mike wittmer on April 24, 2012 at 9:23 am
These are inspiring words, Tom! They remind me of Philippians 2:12-13, where Paul says we should work out our own salvation because God is at work in us. My loose paraphrase: we bring it because God has already brung it!