November 12: THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE FAITH

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

The central theme of Isaiah is the essential necessity of trust in God. This trust can be described as belief and obedience. We may not always see the danger that He seeks to protect us from—in fact, we rarely do—but that should be perceived as an opportunity to exercise faith—that thing that pleases God (see Hebrews 11:6). Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (v.1). Have you ever thought of faith as substantial evidence? It is substantial evidence to God…

The faithless, untrusting mindset says: “The instructions of God seem arbitrary to me. Therefore, I will do what seems best to me.” Such a mindset constitutes unbelief. Though the looming danger may be “invisible” it is nevertheless very real (read Hebrews 3:16-19).

In contrast, one who exercises faith in Him will say: “I will do whatever He says, even if I do not understand why, for God knows what is best.” Such a one as this is credited with righteousness for living up to the light of God’s Word as he encounters it; he is on a trajectory of growth and will receive more and more light and understanding (see Matthew 13:12; 25:9; Mark 4:25; Luke 8:18).

Isaiah, in being faithful to God’s call, was obliged to point out sin among his people. In helping them to gain awareness of their sin, he was also offering a wonderful message of hope: God’s invitation to come to Him in repentance. Instead of looking around to others, Isaiah is telling the people to look up!

If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). This is Isaiah’s summary of the marvelous blessings enumerated in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. It takes meekness to be willing and obedient. Jesus alluded to the earth made new when He said, “The meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 1:20). It would not be fair for Isaiah to leave out the consequence of rejecting the LORD’s guidance. See Deuteronomy 28:15-68 for details.

God blessed and protected Isaiah throughout his sixty-plus year ministry. He was married and had two sons (see Isaiah 7:3; 8:3). Jerusalem was the main scene of his labors. His counsel to the nation carried considerable influence. Combined with the influence of Micah, and possibly some indirect influence of Hosea (whose prophetic ministry was in the northern kingdom of Israel), Isaiah’s counsel contributed to the positive reforms of King Hezekiah.

Cease to do evil. Learn to do good. (Isaiah 1:16b-17a) These eight simple words convey to us an urgent need to stop doing anything out of alignment with God’s Word. Immediately! But to replace bad habits with good ones is a continuing process of learning. God’s gentleness and patience is on display with all who choose to exercise faith.