God has a plan!

 I am reading the Prophets. Ashamedly, I have not spent much time studying this part of God's word and there is power in the messages of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and others. This weakness became apparent in my process of ordination. Do as I am going to do and not as I have done. ALL of God's word is powerful and useful, not just the stories we like. 

This week I have been reading the words of the Prophet Isaiah from Chapters 1 - 15. God's judgment is everywhere and equally distributed through these chapters. It makes me realize we deserve the same judgment as Judah, Israel, Samaria, Philistia, Moab, Assyria, and Babylon. 

Isn't it typical that we all usually look at the "other" guy and cheer the judgment as being righteous, but when we look upon ourselves we are blinded and see innocence. The Lord sees it all and just as in the days of Assyria and Babylon, we deserve the same judgment. The message is right and the judgment is swift. But scattered in the middle of our deserved punishment, God gives us hope. In Isaiah 11:1-9 we see the future to come. We see creation restored to peace and harmony. In Isaiah 9 we look at a child being born to save us. God had a plan. Isaiah 13:26 - "I have a plan for the whole earth, a hand of judgment upon all the nations." Those plans are right and just, but do not forget that our powerful God is a god of mercy and grace. His plan includes coming down to us and saving those who call upon his name. 

Yes, judgment is for all of us for we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory. We are selfish, prideful, disobedient, independent, and arrogant. Yet, if we humble ourselves before the Lord, we will be saved. This plan is available to all. It is available to every corner of the world. I praise God that he gave me a choice.

I choose Jesus!