Thought from today’s Bible reading from Isaiah 18-22.
Judgment was coming against the people of God. Yet instead of this warning being met with careful self-examination and repentance, the people ignored it and acted as if nothing was wrong and nothing would happen.
“Therefore in that day the Lord God of hosts called you to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth. Instead, there is gaiety and gladness, killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.’ But the Lord of hosts revealed Himself to me, ‘Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you until you die,’ says the Lord God of hosts” (Isaiah 22:12-14).
Interestingly, these people recognized the brevity and uncertainty of life. They knew that though they were here today, they could be gone tomorrow. Yet their response to this reality was feasting and revelry as if there was no more to look forward to past this life.
Life is short. James said, “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). But after death “comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27; cf. Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Therefore, we must “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Instead of their worldly attitude about the brevity of life, our perspective must be rooted in the fear of God so that we might say, “Let us serve God and live righteously, for tomorrow we may die.”
Tomorrow’s reading: Isaiah 23-27
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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