Written ~ 10-24-2023
Isaiah 5:20-21
20 “What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light, and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
21 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.”
The first five chapters of Isaiah talk about the judgment that would take place on Jerusalem and Judah for their blatant disobedience to the Lord. Isaiah is calling them out. He is telling them what will happen to them because of their defiance. If you were to read through those first five chapters, it’s quite astounding how much it sounds like the world today. The evil we see in the world today and the disregard for obeying the Scriptures sounds just like what we read here in Isaiah. And the punishment that took place in order to bring Jerusalem and Judah back into good graces with God, is exactly what will need to happen with the evil in the world today. There will be consequences to disobedience.
In our verses for today everything is distorted. Evil is good, good is evil. Dark is light, light is dark. Bitter is sweet, sweet is bitter. When the Lord is not a part of your life, justifications for disobedience are made so you can convince yourself that what you are doing doesn’t seem so bad. Our hearts and minds can get extremely twisted when we don’t rely on the Word of the Lord and obey.
Challenge yourself, examine your heart, your thoughts. What is still nestled deep within that you know is not from the Lord? Have you talked yourself into believing that what you are doing is, ok? Are you persuading yourself to believe those minor rebellions are nothing? Are you changing the Word of God, or ignoring it all together? Are you trying to justify or brush off those things you want to be “good” even though they are “evil, rebellious?” Deciding to disobey God is what the people of Jerusalem and Judah were doing. They had buried themselves in heaps of muck, evil was a way of life for them. Those who live their lives with rebellion in their hearts, will be brought to their knees, God will not allow that kind of disobedience to continue. At some point, judgment will fall.
Verse 5:21 is the type of verse that should make you look inward. How are you responding to your thoughts, your decisions, your actions?
(NLT)
21 “What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.”
(MSG)
21 “Doom to you who think you’re so smart, who hold such a high opinion of yourselves!”
(WEB)
21 “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent (sensible) in their own sight!”
Sorrow, Doom, Woe. Are those the type of words you want hanging over your life? When we decide to make decisions based on our own desires and we fall away from the Word of God, we may begin to think we can make wise choices all on our own. That’s just not the case! The more we distance ourselves from the Scriptures, the more our sinful nature will rise up and take over. It might be subtle at first, little compromises here and there. But soon, you could find yourself digging out of a heap of muck.
So what is the solution? If your heart has warped your right and wrong actions, your thoughts, the words that come out of your mouth, what do you do?
REPENT!
- Turn from sin and dedicate yourself to the amendment (correction) of your life.
- Feel regret or contrition ( feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for improper or objectionable behavior, actions, etc.)
- Change your mind
Matthew 3:8 says,
(NLT) “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”
(WEB) “Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!”
I know it can’t be your desire to have judgement and destruction take you down. I believe your rebellious actions grieve the Lord. He needs to discipline you in order to bring you back to seeing evil for evil, good for good, dark for dark, light for light, bitterness for bitterness and sweet for sweet. Where your heart has twisted the truth, the Lord brings clarity.
Let’s not be like the people of Jerusalem and Judah who got caught up in the evil that took over everything they did. Let’s not engage in the world’s standard of “anything goes” and get drawn into it’s depraved and corrupt way of life. Let’s turn the words sorrow, doom and woe into Love, Joy and Peace! Let’s bring our hearts into repentance and turn from the “high opinion we have of ourselves” and focus solely on the Word of God.
God’s Word tells us of the consequences of continued rebellion. But He also tells us that life can be lived abundantly, full of joy, when our hearts are turned to Him.
Sin can come at you in many different ways, numerous distractions can turn your head, countless avenues can draw you towards a twisted path. But the Truth comes from ONE SOURCE and one source only, and that’s Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior the Son of God!
If you are ready to turn your heart to the Lord and repent from the evil and the disobedience that has grasped onto your heart and mind, then pray this prayer of Salvation and turn from sin. Escape from the consequence and the penalty its rebellion winds up giving you. Turn to Jesus and have that sin, that rebellion and that penalty washed away, completely.
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief, my rebellion. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you! And just as Jesus said, “Peace be with you.”
It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.
~AMEN~