Today’s Reading, Isaiah 13-17
Focal Scripture: Isaiah 17:7 “On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.”
You hear the phrase often that we shouldn’t judge other people. You also hear the phrase that only God can judge. That first phrase is not correct, the Bible teaches that the way we judge will be how we are judged (Matthew 7:2). The second phrase should strike a holy fear into the hearts and minds of every individual who is alive. Because God is the one who judges and he has the right to do so because he is holy.
In today’s reading we see the Lords decree of judgment upon the nations and even Israel itself. In the focal verse we see the purpose of the judgement that Israel will endure. That purpose is to bring people to the Lord. Judgment will make their eyes turn to heaven and acknowledge that God is holy and sovereign. Judgment doesn’t happen because God is mean, it happens because cause desires to redeem.
The challenge that we have as believers is to see judgment biblically. When God judges people he does it to correct behavior. He does it to show his standards are true and pure. Right now I know that some people are struggling with this concept. They believe it’s unfair and unloving. However, why do we as humans believe our judgement is more righteous than the Lords?
I don’t know of a person alive who doesn’t want people to be judged accurately and correctly. When they do something wrong they need to be held to account for their actions. Then why do we get upset when God judges us for our sins and our actions?
God doesn’t find enjoyment in judgement. However, he is looking to redeem people and have them see the error of their ways. Most people I know only learn lessons the hard way. They learn from mistakes not from wisdom. Biblical judgment brings people to a place where God is the only person who can give them help and reconciliation.
If you are being judged today ask yourself if you need to repent of your sin or correct an area in your life. God’s judgement has a purpose.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Isaiah 18-22
