Flatulence is in God’s Word
5/25 Reading Portions: Numbers 34; Psalm 78:38-72; Isaiah 26; 1 John 4
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
5/25 Reading Portions: Numbers 34; Psalm 78:38-72; Isaiah 26; 1 John 4
Listen to the audio devotional above, and/or read the written devotional below.
...we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not fallen. Isaiah 26:18
FAITHLESSNESS
In this chapter, Isaiah tells of “that day” (Isa 26:1), which is an expression used a few times in the New Testament to refer to the return of Christ and the resurrection to come (Matt 7:22; 2 Thess 1:10; et al). Isaiah mentions it himself when he speaks with the voice of repentance before the LORD and declares the dead alive and their bodies rising (Isa 26:19). Yes, in the days leading up to that day, there will be revival in the midst of apostasy (2 Thess 2:3).
We must not wait for the last moments of the Lord’s return to repent. We must not and should not, for we know not when it will be. Yet godly sorrow which works repentance unto salvation not to be repented of (2 Cor 7:10) is a grace of God. The Spirit will make us powerfully aware of Christ’s presence and we will recognize that all our aspirations in the flesh (we were pregnant), and all our struggles on this earth (we writhed), will bring forth no good fruit, bring forth no children of faith from the womb, for it will be as if we only passed gas (given birth to wind). Our evangelistic efforts will have been futile (accomplished no deliverance) and wickedness in the world continues without change (inhabitants... have not fallen). It is because we have failed to be salt and light upon the earth (Matt 5:13-14); essentially placing our light under a basket (Matt 5:15) because we have not walked in the power of Christ’s mighty presence.
Yet once awakened to our fruitlessness and having confessed our giving birth to only flatulence, Christ invites us again to be seated in heavenly places with Him (Eph 2:6) when He says through Isaiah,
Come, My people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you. Isaiah 26:20
When we employ the arm of flesh,
Forgetting Christ and grace;
Faith must reveal our pregnant mess
T’repent ‘nd’restore our place.
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