I AM THE LORD WHO (PART 9)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

Isaiah 48:18

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

I am the Lord who brings peace to whoever pays attention and obeys My commands.

This is what we learned in Part 8 of this series titled, “I Am The Lord Who”, examining and listening to proclamations made by God as to who He is and how He relates to us as we live this thing called life.

You may recall from yesterday’s devotion that we only find true peace when we are completely compliant with all the Lord has told us to do. His word tells us as much and His word is absolute truth. But there is one other very important thing we gain from our steadfast obedience to God’s guidance. For when we consistently and persistently follow the will and way of the Lord, we will be living the right way, or in saying it another way, living in righteousness. We turn to the second part of verse 18 of Isaiah 48 to find this truth declared:

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”  Isaiah 48:18

The Lord said it and everything the Lord says is true. If we wholeheartedly allow Him to lead and guide us through His directions found in His holy word and the leading of His Holy Spirit, then we will live in righteousness. The Lord would not guide us any other way for all His ways are right and good.

So what happens when we choose to not pay attention to the commandments of the Lord?

Well, the answer is pretty simple because we will do everything counter to the Lord’s righteousness. If He leads us to live right, then living apart from Him will only lead us to sin and wickedness and evil. Lord knows, there’s more than a little of that in our world today. Maybe it’s as close as your community or home or even within your personal life. Live away from the Lord and you will reside in the domain of Satan, the enemy, a place where you will find his ways, the ways of the world beckoning for your attention. There are more than a few enticements out there that look mighty attractive. That’s why they call them temptations because the enemy plays on your inner most desires and passions.

The Lord says, “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” Satan says, “Enjoy yourself and go after the things you want and desire. Forget the rules, live for the moment and drink life up as it won’t last forever.”

One way lifts you up and leads to righteousness, the other brings you down into sinfulness. There is no middle ground.

So the question is: Which way are you choosing in life, righteousness or sinfulness?

The answer depends on whether you have fully decided to fully submit to all the Lord commands you to do.

For the Lord assures us that “I am the Lord who brings righteousness to those who pay attention to and are obedient to My commands.”

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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