Isaiah 1 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Isaiah 1:18-20

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

The LORD has declared it, and so it will be; the question then becomes, which side are we on? The LORD is warning His wayward children that the path they are on will lead to one place, destruction! Do we know that the path of rebellion against God and rejection of His truth leads to one place, the grave? We, too, have a choice to make, and praise the Lord, for He has paid our price and paved the way!

I love the first part of these verses; it talks about how dirty we are, yet how clean we will be. This cleanliness comes not from our works or deeds but from His mightiest work and the greatest deed, Jesus Christ's death and resurrection! God gives His children here an option, and He extends His mercy before He pours out His judgment. I love how our God’s heart is to show mercy over destruction, how He would rather us repent and be saved than rebel and be destroyed. Oftentimes, we approve when people get what they deserve, but that’s not the heart of our God. If His heart was for people to get what they deserve, then He wouldn’t have sent Christ to set us free. He would have sat back and watched us perish, all the while being pleased that we were finally getting what we deserve. Thank You, Lord, for not being like us but being so much more!

So today, can we be more like our God who desires to show mercy to His enemies so that they may turn and be His family? If we want those around us to want this life with Christ, then we must start living it the way He did!

Ezekiel 33:11- Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’

God bless! I love you all, but His love desires to set you free! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!