Categories
Devotional Making Disciples

Ruin and glory

Isaiah. Prophet and poet. Master of prose. Skillfully taking us to ruin and glory.

“The city of chaos is shattered; 
Every house is closed to entry.
In the streets they cry for wine.
All joy grows dark; 
Earth’s rejoicing goes into exile.
Only desolation remains in the city;
its gate has collapsed in ruins.”
Isaiah 24:10-12

Well-placed words. And we see the broken place. Grieve the curse that consumes the earth and its inhabitants. “…for they have transgressed teachings, overstepped decrees, and broken the permanent covenant” (24:5).

Ruins. Image by Micheile Henderson, Unsplash Photos.
Categories
Devotional Making Disciples

Be holy

Holy. Holy. Holy. Echoing through the old covenant. And God is clear about the requirements. For coming into His Presence. Following His plan.

Numbers 16 details the consequences for some who try to do it their own way. After all, they’re entitled. It’s only fair.

But the unconsecrated 
fall dead. 
Careless in their coming. 

Second-guessing God’s appointments. 
Their selfish, personal promotion
on display.  

Be holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).