Woe...

Isaiah 30: 1 - "Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, and who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin..."

We can all be a rebellious lot sometimes, even in the small things of day to day living. I'm convinced that our egos, our pride, get the best of us. If we could learn to subdue that, think of others as better than ourselves.

I think rebellion is a sort of stubbornness. When we just don't want to listen or hear. I'm as guilty as the next person.

Rebellion only compounds unless we recognize it for what it is and allow ourselves to let it go. Rather than arguing, rather than having to have the last word, mull it over. Give it some thought before opening your mouth! Easy to say, difficult to do. Guilty again.

I've seen rebellion this week. I've recognized it in its worse form. Not in me (ahem) but in someone I've looked up to and admired. Someone who has not looked to God for counsel. But in the back of my little mind, I'm reminded that even I need to look to God over any other person. He is to be my ultimate Guide.

What distresses me is how this rebellion in not seeking God's wisdom or counsel will add "sin to sin." I don't want to see this happen. The more rebellion, as a friend stated, the greater God's wrath will be. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

We should not trust in ourselves. We should not avoid the counsel of authority, especially God's. He is the highest Authority we all have. He has the greatest wisdom, knows what's best for us and will lead us down the right path IF we seek Him for that.

When we turn to our own devices we fail. We've all heard that pride goeth before the fall. Unfortunately, this does happen. Then comes shame, humiliation and reproach (Is. 30:3-6).

Sometimes our hearts and minds can just shut these thoughts out. We don't want to see what could happen--or we deny it could. Eventually it will surface and will not be able to be covered up.

To those with a close relationship with God, it is inevitable He will expose our sin. But--it's for our own good. It's because of His love for us. But depending upon the circumstance and how long we've allowed it to go on, God will judge accordingly. Psalm 62:12 - Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; for You render to each one according to his work. This applies to all of us....

It's difficult to see a beloved saint in Christ go through this. Funny how we can stand without and so clearly see the fault within someone else and not see it in ourselves.  Psalm 139:23-24 - Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. When we pray that prayer we need to realize if we mean it God will do it. Sin will surface. We will see it and need to deal with it. But praise God He is merciful and works these out because all He desires is to see us as spotless and without blemish, as persons in Christ and as a Church.

He tells us that when we admit our sins and give them to Him that "In returning and rest you shall be saved" (Isaiah 30:15). He always promises such good things for us. He will not change His mind. But we need to toss our egos aside, let go of pride and allow Him to heal and restore. You shall weep no more. He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry; When He hears it, He will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19b)

The fear of failure is so strong. But fail we will if we lose sight of God's will. It's always good to return to God. He brings nourishment, rest, refreshing, renewed vision, increase, gladness and song. (Isaiah 30)  But He also will withhold this if we are rebellious.

Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! 

So often God's Word speaks of Israel's rebellion, but we can read these words and see it is as admonition for ourselves as well. I've often felt there are dimensions in His Word that go beyond what we can see on the page. I don't know if that makes sense or not but I believe the Lord whispered that in my ear one day!

I will finally end here with this great promise:

Isaiah 33:15-16 - He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure.