Day 197, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 1-4; Psalms 87, 125
Where is our Shelter?
We have all fled for shelter from storms. Perhaps it was a tree (a poor choice with any lightning present), a gazebo, a car, a house, or in the event of a tornado, a basement. In a poor economy, people look for tax shelters. Where do we go to find refuge in other times of adversity, like war, family problems, and spiritual challenges? Where is our shelter?
In our Bible reading, the nation of Judah is still in the land of Israel. However, Assyria is laying siege to her capital, Jerusalem. Because King Hezekiah leads the people to find shelter in the Almighty All-Powerful God, the LORD delivers Judah from Assyria by killing 185,000 of their soldiers and officers. The Assyrian King returns home in shame and then is killed by his sons.
Judah turns away from her strong shelter
Several years pass, and Judah again slips into idolatry. She becomes as wicked as her sister nation Israel, whom the Assyrian general Sennacherib conquered and exiled. A new enemy now besieges Judah—the Babylonians. Why? Because his people have turned their backs on God.
Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege” (Isaiah 1:7-8, NIV).
A shelter in a vineyard and a hut in a field of melons are ways of expressing how weak Jerusalem’s defenses are.
Judah is vulnerable
God likens the wickedness of the people of Jerusalem to those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Those cities were destroyed in the days of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Genesis 18:20-33; 19:1-29).
The people of Jerusalem continue to offer sacrifices, but they are a stench in God’s nostrils because the people are evil. The LORD wants them to stop doing evil and start doing right. Their hands, however, are full of blood (guilt) from injustice, if not from actual murder. Nevertheless, God says to them,
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet [blood red], they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (Isaiah 1:18-20, NIV).
It’s not too late to find shelter; God’s invitation
Perhaps some of us want God’s protection but feel it is too late to come to him for forgiveness. God's patience, mercy, and love, however, are magnificent. If we turn to him, away from our sins with genuine remorse, he will save us. Now is the day of salvation (2Corinthians 6:2)In the last days, nations and their people will seek refuge in the mountain of the LORD (Jerusalem). They will come to learn the law of the LORD because his ways bring blessings. He will help settle their disputes, bring peace, and the temple of God will be a shelter for his people. Isaiah extends this invitation to Israel: “Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD” (Isaiah 2:5, NIV).
A similar invitation is extended to us. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17, NIV). We do not need to suffer for our sins.
But, Judah was full of idols. Isaiah sarcastically tells her to “Go into the rocks, hide in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty!” (Isaiah 2:10, NIV). There is, of course, no place where we can find refuge from God. Refuge and peace are only found in God. He is our hiding place, our shelter in the time of storms (Isaiah 4:6).
Isaiah says of Judah,
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves (Isaiah 3:8-9, NIV).
Have we done this? There is hope. The LORD says to Isaiah, “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10, NIV). If we turn to God from our sins, we will also find his mercy and grace. (more)
The elders and leaders lead people away from shelter in the Almighty
Because Judah will not repent, however, “The LORD takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people” (Isaiah 3:13-14, NIV). They are the most responsible for the sins of the nation. Where the leaders go, the people follow. Jesus says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48b, NIV).
What about us? Do we lead others in righteousness? Do we encourage them to seek God as a strong shelter in times of storms? Do we seek the LORD? Can we sing like the hymn writer, “All my fountains [blessings] are in you?” (Psalm 87:7).
Find Refuge in God
Another Psalmist writes, “Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel” (Psalms 125:4-5, NIV). The LORD does good to those who rely upon him, walk righteously, and find their shelter under the arms of the LORD Almighty.
Endnote: In the last days is often a reference to the Tribulation Period and/or the Millennial Reign of Christ, both of which will be at the end of the world as we know it
Take-Away Lesson
- It is not too late for us to turn from our sin to God so we can come under his protection. The grace, mercy and love of God is great. If we are remorseful and turn to the LORD, he will save us (more...).
- Similar to the invitation to the Israelites is an invitation to us: come and taste of the water of eternal life.
- There is no place where we can find refuge from God. True refuge and peace are only found in God. He is our hiding place, our shelter in the time of storms (Isaiah 4:6).
- Where the leaders go the people follow. We need to encourage others to find their shelter in God.
- The LORD does good for those who rely upon him, who walk righteously and find their shelter in him.
Focus Verse
Psalm 91:1 (NIV) “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
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Looking Ahead: 7 Characteristice of the One True God. Once again, I've done this on my blog so you will see it there.
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