Willing And Obedient (Isaiah 1:19)

 


Monday, December 2, 2024


Psalm 77

Isaiah 1:18-31

Mark 4:1-20


Observance: Frances Perry, founder of the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne (d. 1892)


Willing And Obedient (Isaiah 1:19)


Over the course of the year that has been, we have been thinking about what a Christian society looks like – we have been looking at the bigger picture. We have learned what it means to carry a sword and a trowel, and what message that has for us as a group of people. But as we approach the coming incarnation of the eternal Word of God, we will turn our focus inwards. The king is coming to his people, and he searches the hearts of everyone. So, let’s spend the next four weeks preparing our hearts for our great king by developing some kingly virtues.


Our readings will give us a broad overview of roughly the first third of the book of the prophet Isaiah. His is one of the most often quoted books in the New Testament. If the inspired writers thought he had some important things to say about Jesus, then we agree.


We begin part-way through the first chapter. Isaiah is pronouncing woe after woe on the city of wicked people, and it is for a very good reason: they are no longer virtuous. They are murderers, thieves, rebels, and committers of corruption and all other sorts of nonsense.


Yet, in the middle of all this, where we begin reading in verse 18, God extends the hand of grace: “Come, let us reason together,” says the Lord. Do you wish to be virtuous? Do you wish to be a chivalric knight or dame of the King? Do you wish for the honour of a true Christian servant of the Lord Jesus? Then he will teach you.


Do you ever find yourself doing or thinking things you wish you wouldn’t? Do you desire to be more like the human being God designed you to be? Are you willing for God to teach you?


Lord Jesus, you are my King, worthy of the most virtuous of servants. Wash away everything in me that does not bring honour to your name.

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