We Need God

I can’t think of a better invitation to receive than that of Isaiah 2:5,

“O house of Jacob,

come, let us walk

in the light of the LORD.”

Without His light of truth we have no idea what’s right or which end’s up. The awful condition of Judah at that time reflects mankind without God. Isaiah 2:6 starts by mentioning that God rejected them, and goes on to explain why,

“For you have rejected your people,

the house of Jacob,

because they are full of things from the east

and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,

and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.”

The only influence we should desire is the Lord’s. He is the only One from whom we should seek wisdom and direction. While we love and are kind to others, we don’t compromise spiritually with those who are not in Christ; those not in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:7 goes on to say,

“Their land is filled with silver and gold,

and there is no end to their treasures;

their land is filled with horses,

and there is no end to their chariots.”

Wait, that sounds pretty great. But it’s not a good place when those things become our strength, leading to imagining we have no need of the light of the Lord. So Isaiah 2:8-9 adds clarity,

"Their land is filled with idols;

they bow down to the work of their hands,

to what their own fingers have made.

So man is humbled,

and each one is brought low—

do not forgive them!”

There is no forgiveness apart from repentance. A man-centered, rather than God-centered existence is dangerous and futile. Lord, cause our reliance to be on You!