Tuesday 21 Aug 2012

Tuesday Reading: Isaiah 48:1-2

Key Verse: Isaiah 48:1
1  Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.

Devotion:
How many times have you come across someone or something that reports to be what they are not? Sometimes it is quite comical (though so sad) to see some describe themselves as something they are quite clearly not. What is your reaction to being faced with something like that? Do you dig in, shout and rant and call them names? Do you silently ignore them? Do you giggle at them and say that you would never do something like that?

Yes we have all probably been there, seen others and ‘just known’ that we would not do what they are doing; unfortunately for us we have probably already been there ourselves and done exactly what we are talking about. I’m not saying that we are the ones that would stand up and say that we are priests just because we have given a Sunday School lesson, nor saying that we are accountants just because we can add up a few numbers. These are not the things in question here, but something that runs much deeper and is ignored so much in many societies.

When things are going well or when people need to be noticed or seen to be ‘good’ they will often turn round and say that they are Christians. Here is Isaiah it was people who were saying that they were from the House of Israel just because they were acting like it. It’s no use us saying we are royalty just because we can act like it! It’s no use us saying we are Christians just because we can say the right things and do what is expected of us. God does not look on the outward appearance of men but deep inside their hearts. He knows us from the inside out and not just by what we can act like. Acting is for actors who want to portray something that is not real – leave acting to the actors and let us get real with God!

God wants us to be honest with Him because He has been honest with us from the very beginning. He has given us His ways, His Word, His promises and even His Son! Does that not demand a certain level of integrity and honesty from us? We may be able to pull the wool over some people’s eyes, but we certainly cannot lie to God; and that is what is comes down to, us telling lies to our Awesome God! God wants us to come willingly to Him in truth – simple…

Points to Ponder:
What do you like to pretend you are?

Do you really think you are fooling anyone?