Today’s Devotion
Topic: Prove Your Innocence Let’s See!
Text: Isaiah 43: 20- 26
20 The wild animals honor Me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to My people, My chosen, 21 the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.
22 “Yet you have not called on Me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for Me, Israel. 23 You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for Me, or lavished on Me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26 Review the past for Me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. Amen
This passage is a very disturbing one. God tells Isreal through Prophet Isaiah that even the wild animals honor Him because He provides water in the wilderness to give drink for us, the people He has formed for Himself to proclaim His praise.
The reason why these jackals, owls and other desert animals honor God this way is because by virtue of the Lord’s kindness to Israel, they also get some water to drink where they could thirst to death. They do not take God for granted for such benevolence so they honor Him.
However we, for whom the provision is made are not even grateful. We have not been spent for Him. Neither have we wearied ourselves for Him. At least not with our sacrifices and offering. All we do best is to keep burdening Him with our sins and offences.
But He forgives us on His own accord and blots out transgressions for His own name’s sake. So now, He is calling us to review the past so we can argue the matter together with Him. He wants us to prove our innocence and prove Him a “liar”.
Beloved, how are you going to start your case to prove your innocence in such a matter? Especially now that reading this devotion sends guilt throughout your spine. Think about it carefully. How have you blessed the Lord for all His benefits in your life? How much are you spent for Him as a token of your appreciation?
Well the Lord is inviting us to argue the case with Him but you know we really have no case at all except guilt? Begin to seek His forgiveness therefore and renew your commitments and vows to His service and Lordship. Offer yourself a living sacrifice and ask for grace to love Him more.
It is a shame that the jackals and owls should be more appreciative than us; but never again. From today we take our rightful positions as grateful sons and daughters of Jehovah, proclaiming His praise forever and ever. Thank you Father for the waters that refresh our thirst as we journey home through this barren land. We do not take it for granted.
