They Choose to Go Their Own Ways
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They Choose to Go Their Own Ways
We get to make a lot of choices in our life time. Sometimes, to our horror, we discovered that we made a really bad choice. The results can be bad for us and those around us. Hopefully, there will be a way that we can change and make amends. But, sometimes we stubbornly choose to go down a wrong path — just because we feel like it.
That’s how it was with Israel during Isaiah’s days. They were repeatedly told by the Lord that they were doing evil in their worship services, and would have to pay the consequences, but they didn’t care. “They choose to go their own ways.” God promises to help all who humbly depend on Him for guidance, and God also promises to severely punish all those who choose to do what is evil. In Isaiah 66:2-4, God says to the people,
I will pay attention to him who is humble and contrite in spirit,
who trembles when I speak.
But they not only butcher bulls but also kill men.
They not only sacrifice sheep but break dogs’ necks.
They not only offer food but also offer the blood of hogs.
They burn incense so the LORD will remember them, but also bless idols.
Yes, they choose to go their own ways
and delight in their abominations.So I also choose to mistreat them
and bring on them what terrifies them,
because I called and nobody answered;
I spoke and nobody listened.
But they did what I judge to be evil,
and chose what I don’t like.
We can compare all of these actions to what is happening today. People can go to church and take part in the worship services — and at the same time take part in heathen worship practices. People defiantly mix Christian worship practices with heathen worship practices. They “like” it that way, claiming it feels more spiritual. Even though God’s word specifically tells us to not copy heathen traditions, many are insisting that it is okay and more spiritually enlightening than regular Christian worship services.
Paul has warned us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4,
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.
The word “myth” that Paul uses means more than a fairy story. It includes any sort of man-made invention that is a falsehood. Paul is saying that people will be bored with the solid, sound, and time-tested teachings in God’s word. They will want to add to it to make it more exciting and fun. So, they will invent new ways of meditating, worshiping, praying, and praising.
Instead of being satisfied with the teachings in God’s word, they will be wanting all sorts of new teachers, who will show them new ways of worship. When the Israelites mixed heathen practices with their worship, God became very angry with them. Because they refused to listen to God’s word, He had to bring terrifying judgments upon them. We need to learn from the lesson in Isaiah. God will eternally judge all those who refuse to listen to His word.
We can be so thankful that God will gladly listen to all of those who humbly turn to Him. As we abide in God, we are safe. Then we will happily obey when God tells us in Deuteronomy 18:9,
When you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations.
Remembering God’s love in Jesus Christ, we will, in reverence, stay away from everything that does not agree with God’s word. Then, in the freedom of God’s light, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, Your ways are all clean, and good, and right. In You alone, we have true salvation.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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