Isaiah 29 -- What God Will Do To Get Us Back

I can't imagine what the people of Jerusalem thought as they heard Isaiah's words.  I wonder if they self-righteously thought they didn't apply to them:

God said, "I will attack Jerusalem... the Lord All-Powerful will come ... then all the nations that fight against Jerusalem will be like a dream ..."  

They thought God would keep them safe simply because they were descendants of Abraham and Jacob.  But their continual sin caused God to say, "The Lord has made you go into a deep sleep.  He has closed your eyes (the prophets).  He has covered your heads (the seers)."  God is invoking spiritual blindness because the people are only giving lip service to Him.  "These people say they love Me; they show honor to Me with words, but their hearts are far from Me.  The honor they show Me is nothing but human rules."

Because of their apostasy, God said He would cause their wise me to lose their wisdom and their ability to understand.  People would begin to think that they could actually hide things from the Lord!  But God said, "You are confused.  You think the clay can tell the one who made it,' You didn't make me.'  This is like a pot telling its maker, 'You don't know anything.'"

But despite all of these people, God again mentioned the believing remnant, and something He told them really rang true in my heart, thinking about my sons:  "When they see all their children, the children I made with My hands, they will say My name is holy.  They will agree that the Holy One of Jacob is holy, and they will respect the God of Israel.  People who do wrong will now understand.  Those who complain will accept being taught."

Father, for a time I too moved away from You.  You confused my thinking, and in my rebellion I thought little of You.  But You never gave up on me.  You drew me back and led me to see my sin and to ask for forgiveness.  You cleansed me and taught me Your ways.  And like a dream, You gave me my sons -- the children You made with Your hands half a world away!  You are the Holy One!  Keep me in Your will and away from temptation.  Help me to follow Your commands and Your teachings.  Let my heart beat for You. 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford