S) "'Come now, and let us reason together,'
Says the Lord,
'Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.'"
Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)
O) Blind faith is a bit of a misnomer. God wants us to see the clear benefit, the clear advantage, that we have in following Him. From the earliest commands, He laid it out for His people (see Deuteronomy 30:19) so they could see the options before them, and make a rational, well-thought-out decision. It's the same here, with Isaiah's opening chapter. God's people are reminded to think through their choices, their devotion to Him versus their devotion to idolatry. God promises the forgiveness of sins here, and promises prosperity (v.19) for obedience, and warns of destruction (v.20) for rebellion.
A) Think it through, think it through, think it through. God offers the best, most powerful gift first: forgiveness. Then He promises to add to it, "the best of the land;" and warns that there is a severe danger in turning away from Him. This verse is a wonderful reminder that our faith is not a blind one. Our faith is a rational one. I just need to remember what my foundation is. What is the basis of my faith? In whom am I placing my faith? Jesus is the foundation. Jesus, who washes me clean of my sins, is the person, the God, whom I trust.
P) Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for being a God who freely lays our options at our feet. Thank You for giving me the choice, so I can make an informed decision to follow after You. Let me use this experience, this model, as a tool for evangelism, too. Remind me of the simplicity behind the reason for our faith. Thank You for forgiveness. Give me boldness to share these truths. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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