Date: 15th February 2023
Topic: Isaiah’s Truths: Lesson 19: Be careful not to falter!
Bible Reading: Isaiah 5 (ESV)
Memory verse: Isaiah 5: 9
The Lord of hosts has sworn in my hearing: “Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! How are you doing? It is our prayer and hope that your week has been great, thus far! Be encouraged! Know that God is faithful! He is with us, and He has given us the power to overcome! The enemy has no seat at our table. With that authority you had as a child of God, claim what is yours and walk in your victory! Hallelujah! It is our prayer that your lips will be filled with a beautiful song- praising God for His Goodness and His Mercies! Hallelujah! This God we serve is awesome! Isn’t it a joy to be called His child?
Today, we continue our Isaiah’s Truths series. By God’s Grace, we are on lesson 19 and we will be looking at the consequences we face when we falter. As Christians, it is important to know that every decision we take; have consequences. Just like receiving rewards are the consequences of following God; there are some consequences when one decides to go against God.
As Christians, we are given so many wonderful rewards by our Father. These rewards include Grace, mercy, favour, etc. There are some people who take God for granted! They call themselves Christians and expect nothing but the best from God. Once they face any trail or tribulation, they get disappointed and fall back to their old ways. There are another group of people who keep falling back to their old ways because God is forgiving. They want to enjoy the perks of the world and yet, enjoy the perks of being a child of God. Unfortunately, that’s not the right way. There are another group of people who identify as Christians only in a family setting or for legality purposes. This is not what Christianity is about. Choosing to be a child of God means choosing Him every day, every hour, every minute and every second. Obeying His Commands and building a relationship with our Father no longer becomes a chore but a necessity.
From the Bible verse for the day, the Holy Spirit is drawing our attention to the consequences of turning away from God. The verse states, “…Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.” This statement holds a lot of meaning. First, as a child of the world, you are not able to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Houses are structures built to be a place of rest and a representation of wealth. From this statement, the Holy Spirit is telling us that all who do not follow Christ, work in vain. They would not get to enjoy the wealth they have worked for (physically and spiritually). Most importantly, these people will not find rest or a place of refuge. This means that they will, constantly, be in fear and turmoil- getting more involved in the ways of the world.
Secondly, this phrase shows us that these people do not have a place in heaven, with the Father. We know from John 14:1-3 that, heaven is a place with many mansions for the children of God. By this statement in Isaiah 5:9, the Holy Spirit is telling us that all who turn away from God will not get to enjoy the presence of God in His House. S/He will not make it to heaven to be enjoy the presence of God for eternity. This is not pleasant. This is what we all do not want to happen- missing the chance to go to heaven!
Lastly, looking at the verse for the day, a word stands out sorely. This word is “many.” The verse says that “...many houses will be desolate…” this means that there are many people who would not get the opportunity to enjoy eternity with God. Many people despite hearing the Word of God (or not) will not make it. To make it to the Father, one must be very intentional about living a Christ-like life, obeying the Holy Spirit, with the direction of the Holy Spirit.