Focus Chapters:
- Isaiah 18-23
Standout Verse(s):
Isaiah 22:12-13 NLT
At that time the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, called you to weep and mourn. He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse. But instead, you dance and play; you slaughter cattle and kill sheep. You feast on meat and drink wine. You say, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Observation (s):
- The people were called to repent.
At that time the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, called you to weep and mourn. He told you to shave your heads in sorrow for your sins and to wear clothes of burlap to show your remorse.
- Instead, the people chose to make merry today and deal with the consequences of their actions tomorrow.
But instead, you dance and play; you slaughter cattle and kill sheep. You feast on meat and drink wine. You say, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Application:
Many in the world tend to “live for and in the moment”, choosing to deal with any consequences tomorrow. They place a strong focus on having a good time today. The shame is that, for many, tomorrow never comes and the good time continues with no thought of the repercussions of their previous actions. It is not wise to make merry today while deliberately ignoring tomorrow and the consequences it has to offer.
Our lives cannot be just about merrymaking. There are accumulating consequences to our actions. As Christians, we must be cognizant that there is a time and a season for everything. There are seasons when we called to be repentant and confess our sins. In other seasons, we are called to intercede on behalf of others. At other times, we are called specifically to praise and worship God, shrouded with a heart of thanksgiving. Then there are others when we are called to make merry.
What season are you being called to? Don’t ignore the call in favor of merrymaking today and facing the consequences tomorrow.
