Read Isaiah 22 – 26
Highlights:
God weeps as He judges Jerusalem, who won't repent, but uncaringly eats, drinks and is destroyed (22:1-14); Wicked leaders deposed (22:15-25); Why does God judge Tyre (23:8-9)? A sad prophecy of the earth (chap. 24); Judgment and salvation promised (chap. 25); Read our only solution from sin and its consequences – 26:4.
Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him (Isa. 24:1-2).
There are some people who feel that they deserve to be privileged in life. This happens for many reasons. Some may think that, because they have a certain amount of money, they are entitled to special treatment. There are others who think their careers give them an elevated position in life. Some even think their name itself grants them respect based on what other members of their family might have done. The world will most likely give preferential treatment to a person who is extremely wealthy. As mentioned, others will be idolized because they are an athlete, actor or singer.
The underlying reason for all of these feelings of entitlement is ungodly pride. In some things, a small degree of pride is okay. Just like in most things, sin is in the excess. Excessive pride in ourselves or in our own accomplishments will carry us to a bad place. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Pro. 16:18).
Where does all this feeling of "deserved privilege" come from? Can you find anywhere in the Bible that it mentions God handing out privileges based on fortune, fame or family? The world may become enamored with individuals for worldly reasons, but God does not. The Lord does not become impressed with carnal success. He never gives favoritism. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Col. 3:25).
The list of people in the day's verse above is pretty extensive. It clearly shows that the Lord values all of us the same, and that we are all precious to Him. We are weighed and valued in equal proportion to Christ. It was Jesus who was sent to purchase us and pay off our sin debt. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt (Matt. 18:27).
There is nothing we can do that will allow us to escape judgment. There is no amount of money with which we can buy our way out of it. We will never get a pass because of our notoriety or name.
The only means of gaining favor with God is by having the atoning blood of Christ applied to our lives. Only in that way can we become servants of God. We can then begin building the kingdom of God instead of our own kingdom.
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matt. 6:20).
Thought for Today:
Pray for Christians to be revived in our land.
Christ Revealed:
By Eliakim, master of Hezekiah's household (Is. 22:20-22); what was said of him is true of Christ who is Master over the household of faith. Christ . . . a Son over His own house; whose house are we (Heb. 3:6; Gal. 6:10).
Word Studies:
22:1 valley of vision, Jerusalem; 22:2 stirs, shoutings; 23:13 raised up, destroyed; 24:7 mourneth, laments, sorrows; 24:15 fires, dawning light; 24:19 clean dissolved, split open; 24:23 ancients, elders; 26:7 weigh, make straight, lead in the right way.
Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God delights in your joy (Ps. 43:4).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 89:1