A little shelter, a little fire . . . a little food, a corner away from the wind. Sometimes I think the further a man gets from the simple basic needs the less happy he is.”
–Louis L’Amour (Under the Sweetwater Rim)
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.”
–Colossians 3:1 (NKJV)
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The first part of Isaiah 5 speaks of the preparation of the vineyard and then the displeasure of the owner and what he decides to do. Remember this is in regard to the Lord and His relation to Israel, but it can also hold meaning for the United States, or any country, and also the individual. Starting with verse 8, we see the first “Woe.”
“Woe to those who join house to house; they add field to field, till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!” (NKJV)
First of, be alert and consider when God says “Woe.” It is a dire warning and one that must be heeded or the consequences will be severe. In this verse we see that the problem is materialism, greed, and worldliness. The impression is that the real life, the good life, is the life of money and possessions. Most people identify life by their possession or spending. Either that or their wishes of possessions (coveting).
Far too often, we find ourselves getting caught up on what we want and then get ourselves in trouble by going into debt. Overspending, over indebtedness and the reason why is that we are not satisfied. Jesus warned, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
What makes a person? Is it their fine car or their grand house? It is hard to imagine, but all too real, that man reduces himself by identifying with things that can be purchased with money. What does that have to do with eternity? Man is a slave to his “wants” and “wishes.” Lloyd-Jones says, “When you set your heart on them, when you identify yourself with them, and when you cannot live without them, then you are a slave.” I have had students tell me in all sincerity that they couldn’t live without their cell phone. My, my, my… Lloyd-Jones continues, “People can possess things, but when they are possessed by those things, that is nothing but sheer slavery; it is utterly debasing.”
We are made in the image of God to worship and praise Him. We are to give Him honor, but instead man gives honor to “things.” God is forgotten or at least pushed aside. How many miss church on Sunday because they are involved with things? How many become a slave to entertainment and recreation forgetting the house of the Lord? Hmmm…
Today, the world is facing famine which brings fear. There is the cause of global warming–true or not it is causing fear of climate change. There is fear of pestilence as has been seen with the virus now facing the earth. Just this week, I read where “they” are fearful of this new variant of the COVID virus is dangerous. Science tells us to fear. Government leaders tell us to fear. Even ministers of the Gospel tell us to fear–shame on them.
“In my hearing the LORD of hosts said, ‘Truly, many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitants.'” (5:9, NKJV)
My friend, hearken to the words of Jesus, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV) What is this life? How are you identified? Trust in the Lord. “You will have enough, and more than enough, to satisfy your soul, you will be right with God, and you will therefore succeed in time, you will succeed in death, you will succeed throughout the countless ages of eternity.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
As Christians we have been given a grand inheritance. It is not only just waiting for us when we get to heaven, but we can begin to enjoy it now. Part of it is reevaluating your life and prioritizing what is important. Seeking the things of God rather than our own selfish wants. I could go on and on about this but I want to finish today with another thought by Lloyd-Jones,
“If your treasure is in this world, when you die you will have nothing left. But if you ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness’ you will have this inheritance that is incorruptible, and indestructible. Let the world go mad in a final cataclysm and destroy itself; you know that, ‘Your life is hid with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:3), and your inheritance will never fade away.”
————————————————-
The first part of Isaiah 5 speaks of the preparation of the vineyard and then the displeasure of the owner and what he decides to do. Remember this is in regard to the Lord and His relation to Israel, but it can also hold meaning for the United States, or any country, and also the individual. Starting with verse 8, we see the first “Woe.”
“Woe to those who join house to house; they add field to field, till there is no place where they may dwell alone in the midst of the land!” (NKJV)
First of, be alert and consider when God says “Woe.” It is a dire warning and one that must be heeded or the consequences will be severe. In this verse we see that the problem is materialism, greed, and worldliness. The impression is that the real life, the good life, is the life of money and possessions. Most people identify life by their possession or spending. Either that or their wishes of possessions (coveting).
Far too often, we find ourselves getting caught up on what we want and then get ourselves in trouble by going into debt. Overspending, over indebtedness and the reason why is that we are not satisfied. Jesus warned, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)
What makes a person? Is it their fine car or their grand house? It is hard to imagine, but all too real, that man reduces himself by identifying with things that can be purchased with money. What does that have to do with eternity? Man is a slave to his “wants” and “wishes.” Lloyd-Jones says, “When you set your heart on them, when you identify yourself with them, and when you cannot live without them, then you are a slave.” I have had students tell me in all sincerity that they couldn’t live without their cell phone. My, my, my… Lloyd-Jones continues, “People can possess things, but when they are possessed by those things, that is nothing but sheer slavery; it is utterly debasing.”
We are made in the image of God to worship and praise Him. We are to give Him honor, but instead man gives honor to “things.” God is forgotten or at least pushed aside. How many miss church on Sunday because they are involved with things? How many become a slave to entertainment and recreation forgetting the house of the Lord? Hmmm…
Today, the world is facing famine which brings fear. There is the cause of global warming–true or not it is causing fear of climate change. There is fear of pestilence as has been seen with the virus now facing the earth. Just this week, I read where “they” are fearful of this new variant of the COVID virus is dangerous. Science tells us to fear. Government leaders tell us to fear. Even ministers of the Gospel tell us to fear–shame on them.
“In my hearing the LORD of hosts said, ‘Truly, many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitants.'” (5:9, NKJV)
My friend, hearken to the words of Jesus, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV) What is this life? How are you identified? Trust in the Lord. “You will have enough, and more than enough, to satisfy your soul, you will be right with God, and you will therefore succeed in time, you will succeed in death, you will succeed throughout the countless ages of eternity.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
As Christians we have been given a grand inheritance. It is not only just waiting for us when we get to heaven, but we can begin to enjoy it now. Part of it is reevaluating your life and prioritizing what is important. Seeking the things of God rather than our own selfish wants. I could go on and on about this but I want to finish today with another thought by Lloyd-Jones,
“If your treasure is in this world, when you die you will have nothing left. But if you ‘seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness’ you will have this inheritance that is incorruptible, and indestructible. Let the world go mad in a final cataclysm and destroy itself; you know that, ‘Your life is hid with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:3), and your inheritance will never fade away.”