Friday, September 24
“In a moment…”
Scripture: Isaiah 47 – 48, Matthew 6
Isaiah 47:8–9
8 “Now then, listen, you lover of pleasure,
lounging in your security
and saying to yourself,
‘I am, and there is none besides me.
I will never be a widow
or suffer the loss of children.’
9 Both of these will overtake you
in a moment, on a single day:
loss of children and widowhood.
They will come upon you in full measure,
in spite of your many sorceries
and all your potent spells.
Isaiah 48:18–19
18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.
19 Your descendants would have been like the sand,
your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out
nor destroyed from before me.”
Observation/Application
Two things today:
First, the prophet warns Babylon of impending doom. She is “lounging in her security” and telling herself that she will never be a widow or lose her children, but suddenly, “in a moment, on a single day” both of these will overtake her. Babylon was a world power whose citizens enjoyed wealth and privilege and probably couldn’t imagine anything else. But it vanished “in a moment.”
Life can turn on a dime! Things can change suddenly and irreversibly. I learned yesterday that the woman killed in a car accident on Tuesday evening was a Life Center member who regularly talks with me after services. So sad…. This passage reminded me that there are no guarantees for any of us. I want to live my life in such a way that I’m ready to meet the Lord at any time, or ready to embrace whatever change life brings me. I want to keep my relationships with Him and with others in good order! Which leads to the second passage/observation:
Second, the Lord says, “if only you had paid attention to my commands.” Their peace would have been like a river, their well being like the waves of sea—unending. God’s commands are for our well-being. When we pay attention, listen and obey, it goes well with us. He wants the best for us.
While there are no guarantees for any of us, and life can change on a dime, the Lord also reminds us that life goes better when we listen and obey. I want to have that kind of relationship with God—I want to pay attention, listen and obey, and enjoy the fruits of living life as God intended.
Prayer: Lord, I’m paying attention! Speak to me today, lead me and help me follow well. And help me live in ready position!