July 14, 2010 - Hope In The Midst Of Judgment

Meditation on Isaiah 1

From the opening, Prophet Isaiah brought strong judgment upon the nation of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem. Since the people had constantly sinned against God who brought them up with His mercy and care, their land was repeatedly salvaged by their enemy, their country was in deep ruined economically as well as environmentally. Even when they came to God for help, God would not hear their plea. (v. 15)

The only hope they would be restored was that they would repent of their sins and change the direction of their behaviors one hundred eighty degree. Only when they stopped sinning against one another, acted righteously toward each other, practiced compassion and cared for the weak and poor, but get rid of immorality and idolatry then will God cleansed them and get rid of their filth in their midst. Then God promised His pardon through Isaiah, "Come now and let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though yours sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Thought they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (v. 18 NKJV)

The prayers of our Land will not be answered unless there is true repentance to turn away from the practice of sins and self entitlement. Only then, will there be real forgiveness which leads to hope of delivering us from the vast amount of disasters in the land and river and sea.