Isaiah 48 is filled with questions from God about relationship. He asks his people, who have been using His name and praying these things about the love they show off: “But do you mean it? Do you live like it”? Our life needs to match up with what the words we speak. Our walk needs to match our talk. We can’t just “act as though you lean on God” as so many of us do. Life needs to match up with speak. Actions always speak louder than the words we use. That is the issue here – the words didn’t match up with the activity. God defines the problem this way: “I know you’re a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced”. Sound like anyone you know. Sure does remind me of the guy I see in the mirror in my bathroom. I get a little bull headed at times – want to do it my way and in my time. Want to act like I am God’s, but want to live like I am on my own. The problem: “You’ve never been good listeners to me. You have a history of ignoring me”. We have to listen and act God’s way. We can’t just go about doing whatever we want and pretending we belong to God.
That brings us to the not so fun stuff – God’s plan to fix us. He is committed to making us holy, to bringing us into alignment with His Word and His very nature. His commitment is to refine us: “I’ve refined you, but not without fire. I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction…. simply because of who I am, I do what I do”. God is going to refine us and get rid of the junk in our lives. He wants to upgrade us so we can experience the wonderful things He has for us. Refining is never fun, but the results are so worth it. Check out what He says: “I show you what to do, where to go…. If you had listened….your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves”. God has a plan for us, a plan for good and it requires that we be refined and that we get lined up with His plan for us. When we do, good things, no great things, lie ahead. Are you letting God clean up your life? Have you committed to love Him and let Him love you in return? Awesome things lie ahead for those who do.
