"Woe to the rebellious children, declares the Lord, who execute a plan, but not Mine, and make an alliance, but not of My Spirit." Isaiah 30:1

Hitting my teen years in the late 60’s and early 70’s I truly believed rebellion was a good thing, and may I assure you I had plenty of it. Rebellion seems to always be a glorified characteristic in the young generation no matter what era. We tend to believe we have a better idea, and we do what is right in our own eyes, and we lean to our understanding. We blunder in the darkness trying to find our way.

The good news is most of us evolve beyond ourselves and realize we need more than our understanding. One of my favorite verses is:

"For You light my lamp: The Lord illumines my darkness." ( Psalm 18:28)

I was cured of my radical, rebellious Spirit when I allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me into the truth of God’s Word. God is warning His people through the prophet Isaiah concerning their rebellion. They were executing their own plans and not obeying His. They were making alliance with Pharaoh and seeking shelter in the shadow of Egypt rather than their God who had delivered them out of Egypt which signifies the world. God warns them doing these thing will lead to their shame and humiliation as a nation.

What we live as individuals becomes what we are as a nation. Isn’t this the same sin we see in our nation today? Isn’t this the same sin we see in the beginning with Adam and Eve as individuals in the garden of Eden? Why do we continue to think we have a better idea than God? Our arrogance has no end. Thankfully God’s mercy and grace doesn’t either as we see over and over in Scripture. We were made in His image. He is simply a Father trying to guide His children wanting the best for them. He has made provision for that through His Son, Jesus, and His Word, and by the Holy Spirit.

Let us truly evaluate our plans this morning? Whose plans are you carrying out? Yours or His? Where are we seeking refuge, and who are we relying on for our needs? I see little difference with the people of God and the world as in Isaiah’s day. The government is sought for provision rather than God. This is astounding since the government produces nothing on its own. We the people are the source for the government. Taxes fund the government, remember? Nothing is free. Instead of turning to our God for healing and healthcare we look to doctors and the pharmaceutical companies rather than take any personal responsibility. Just write a prescription, and how is that working for us? They get richer and we get addicted as we continue to strive for the easy way out. The only easy way out in life is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus is the only way. (John 14:6)

May I encourage you to start with your own life this morning before trying to change the world. It happens one life at a time. Let us heed the words of Isaiah and ask God to deliver us from our rebellious spirits, and cry out for forgiveness and restoration in our lives. Pray for a heart to love Him and obey Him. Let us humble ourselves, as He did, and become obedient even to the point of death. We must all die to ourselves and live for Him. May our alliance be with Him who can fill all in all no matter what your need is. (Ephesians 1:23) He truly is an unending source to rely on and far superior to government or ourselves. Step out in faith and learn to trust Him. He alone is trustworthy always and forever.
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

276-237-6680

Yesterday I participated in a mud run I broke my tibia in last year, and I did incredible damage to my knee due to extreme hyper extension while jumping a creek and sinking well over a foot in the mud, My foot was cemented as the rest of my body aggressively went forward which popped the tibia and ripped the knee. I was treated for the broken bone with a brace, but never went back for the knee. God healed me totally. I have lived what I teach. I have found Him faithful to heal me over and over in my active life. May I encourage you to so the same. His name is Faithful and True. ( Revelation 19:11)