Day 201
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| The Valley of Vision |
Scripture
Observation
"Before God can use a person greatly, he must often bruise him deeply." Those words form a fitting description of the "melting season" Isaiah goes through as he declares fearlessly—but not tearlessly—God's approaching doom upon wicked Arabia, Dumah and Tyre. Even proud Jerusalem, the "valley of vision," with the temple—symbol of God's presence—in her midst, would suffer siege and calamity for her calloused idolatry and careless indulgence.
Application
One man walks careless abandon along the edge of a sheer cliff, and slips to his death; another leaps from the same cliff in a suicidal plunge. Is there any difference between the two?
Not as far as the outcome is concerned! The net result is the same: death and destruction. But the careless accident lack intent. The casual cliff walker had no intention of trying to end his life. And yet, his carelessness led to a fall that was just as fatal as if he had masterminded his death.
No nation plans to collapse. There has yet to be a meeting of heads of state brought to order with these words: "Gentlemen, we are here today to discuss the best way to destroy our country!" More often than not, the spiritual collapse of a nation, a family or an individual is due to a "slow leak" rather than a "blowout." Just careless little things like neglecting time with God, or compromising spiritual standards or failing to build spiritual values into the next generation.
Check for "slow leaks" in your own spiritual life. Is there a careless habit (such as laziness or busyness) that is threatening the spiritual health of you or your family members? Deal with it like you would a dangerous cliff because unless you do, that is exactly what it may become!
Not as far as the outcome is concerned! The net result is the same: death and destruction. But the careless accident lack intent. The casual cliff walker had no intention of trying to end his life. And yet, his carelessness led to a fall that was just as fatal as if he had masterminded his death.
No nation plans to collapse. There has yet to be a meeting of heads of state brought to order with these words: "Gentlemen, we are here today to discuss the best way to destroy our country!" More often than not, the spiritual collapse of a nation, a family or an individual is due to a "slow leak" rather than a "blowout." Just careless little things like neglecting time with God, or compromising spiritual standards or failing to build spiritual values into the next generation.
Check for "slow leaks" in your own spiritual life. Is there a careless habit (such as laziness or busyness) that is threatening the spiritual health of you or your family members? Deal with it like you would a dangerous cliff because unless you do, that is exactly what it may become!
Prayer
Father God, we want to bear good fruit so that the world especially our youth can see to whom we belong. Guide us to a more holy life so that our spiritual walk will not be threaten and therefore keeping us from living on the edge. During our daily walk through your Word we want your presence in our midst always. In Jesus name we pray! Amen!
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| On the Edge |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020
