Bible Pathway - August 6
Read Isaiah 27 – 31
Highlights:
God deals out 'tough love' to Israel (27:11), Samaria (28:1-4,7-29), and Judah (30:1-17); Truth: Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help; Egypt's promises are worthless (30:1-7); futile to rely on Egypt (31:1-3); The Lord will victoriously defend Jerusalem (31:4-5)
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken (Isa. 28:13).
The Word of God should be our most prized possession in life. Its true value can never be determined. It should be worth more to us than a house, car, boat or any other material object.
These are strong statements for sure, but that does not mean they are not true. There is little we have in life that can produce more fruit in our lives than the Word of God. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty (Matt. 13:23).
Have you ever heard the phrase “the more things change, the more they stay the same?" It doesn't make a lot of sense unless you really think on it. It is saying that while the looks of things might change, down deep, everything is still pretty much the same.
This is unquestionably true when it comes to the Bible. Today's society has many similarities to the time in which the Book of Isaiah was written. At that time, much like today, the Word of God was valued by some, but was dismissed or sneered at by others.
Many in today's time feel the Bible is outdated. They claim it is a set of rules made for ancient people in ancient times, and that there is no way it can have any meaning for us today. After all, they reason, so much of life and society are different now.
It seems amazing that so many find the Bible useless. But if we look deeper, it soon becomes obvious a high percentage of those who find it useless have never read it. It's like bad cooks saying a recipe book will not improve their food, or a lost ship's captain saying maps won't help him find his way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).
It is foolish to think we can go through life without God's Word as our guide. Yet, this is what the Israelites were doing. God knew the only way to teach them was to use the same methods you use when instructing children. Repetitive teaching of the law was the only way to make them understand.
We could learn a lot more from God if we thought as children thought. As adults, we come with our preconceived notions of how things should be. Life has made many of us sceptical and "not trusting" of things we don't understand. Children, on the other hand, love to discover new things. They trust and love unconditionally. This is the exact attitude that God can use.
There are always new things to discover in God's Word. If we will trust and love God enough to put these things into action, then our lives will be all the better for doing so. God's Word will change our hearts and our lives, as long as we will allow them to do so.
But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God (Luke 18:16).
Thought for Today:
Precept upon precept, line upon line is God's way to learning and wisdom.
Christ Revealed:
As the precious (Chief) Corner Stone, a sure foundation (Is. 28:16; ph. 2:20-21; Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:10-12; Rom. 9:33; 1 Pet. 2:6-8).
Word Studies:
27:1 piercing, swift; 28:21 strange, awesome, unusual; 28:22 bands be made strong, punishment be made greater; 30:1 cover with a covering, give an offering; 30:3 confusion, humiliation, your undoing; 30:24 ear, plow.
Prayer Suggestion: Remember that the Lord is always ready to help you in times of trouble (Ps. 46:1).
Optional Reading: James 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 89:1
