Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Holy City Lamented and Called Back
Isaiah 1:18-23
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land (Isa 1:19).
The prophet laments over the plight of the Holy City. He comes down heavily on the evil doings of the people of God. He also challenges the belief that the Holy City has divine protection despite the actions of the people.
Let us ponder on two thoughts from the text:
1. Conviction of Sin: The prophet says:"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool".The conviction of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit. The first step in the healing process is proper diagnosis and realization of the real state of life. Instead of making value judgments, the prophet makes a convincing case before the people who are self-righteous and unjust in their actions and options. Rather than making exclusive truth claims about ourselves, we have to honestly examine whether we are manifesting a life that is worthy of our calling.
2. A life of faithfulness: Christian faith is faith in the faithfulness of God. Old Testament is the story of the faithfulness of God and the faithlessness of the people of Israel. Yet Yahweh doesn't give up on His people.Vs.19 says:"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the fruit of the land."In other words, the people of Israel stand in need of conversion in their life. As Fr. Tissa Balasurya of Sri Lanka points out: "Conversion is from injustice to justice, from unrighteousness to righteousness, from darkness to light, from death to life, and from sin to God."

PRAYER
Lord, enable us to be your faithful followers, Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
God's heart melts when his people cry out to him.
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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