Not To Stray...

Scripture:

Isaiah 3:8-9 (ESV)

For Jerusalem has stumbled,
    and Judah has fallen,
because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord,
    defying his glorious presence.

For the look on their faces bears witness against them;
    they proclaim their sin like Sodom;
    they do not hide it.
Woe to them!
    For they have brought evil on themselves.

Devotional:

Here Isaiah shares the reasoning behind the suffering and fall of Israel.  In short, the people left their first and true love.  They lost site of God.  They failed to adhere to God’s teachings.  The end of verse 9 says “…For they have brought evil on themselves.”  From the beginning God told the Israelites that as long as they stayed true to Him and He was their first love they would be blessed.  In fact, as a nation they were blessed.  Israel was a world power with untold riches.  In the end though they strayed.  Earlier in verse 9 Isaiah writes “…they proclaim their sin like Sodom;…”

It does seem that those who are evil or do bad things are on top.  They have power, wealth, and everything they could ever want.  It may be true that for a time it they are the ones who get ahead or come out on top.  But eventually it will catch up to them.  Eventually they too will fall.  Remember Romans 14:11 (ESV) “for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’”  Like it or not, believe it or not, Jesus is the ultimate authority.  He does reign supreme.  Those who only seek for themselves and live as they please will confess Jesus is Lord.  They will fall. 

It is important to keep our focus on Christ.  We need to follow His teachings.  We cannot afford not to.  God is with us.  He will bless us and provide.  In the end we will have an eternity to be with Him.  Israel lost sight of God and it cost them dearly.  Do you really want to do the same?  Keep in mind that even if we cannot see it God is with us.  We just need to keep from straying.