The Overwhelming Scourge – Isaiah 28

FATHER, You cast down and trod underfoot the proud—the rich—anyone who thinks they can handle life themselves (Isa 28:1,3,4). When ____ approaches (his/her) situation with only (his/her) resources, standing alone and independent, (he/she) moves (himself/herself) further away from You. (His/Her) attitude toward You becomes harsh and cold—more harsh and more cold the longer (he/she) remains independent (ref#56, p988, [Isa 28:13]).

If ____ continues (his/her) independency and convinces (himself/herself) that any future destruction to (himself/herself) will not come to (him/her), please, FATHER, grace (him/her) with Your discipline (Isa 28:15). Mercy (him/her) with it; beat (him/her) down (Isa 28:18).

Make ____’s bed too short—(his/her) blanket too narrow to wrap (himself/herself) in (Isa 28:20). Your overwhelming destruction, FATHER, will seem strange. It is not what (he/she) expects of You (Isa 28:21). But, if (he/she) dare scoff, You will strengthen (his/her) bonds of suffering (Isa 28:22). FATHER, I plead, make (him/her) understand the overwhelming scourge of destruction is meant to draw (him/her) back to You.

And, I praise You that You do not continue forever Your discipline to Your children:

“Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows…”
(Isa 28:24-25 ESV).

You will not plow ____ ceaselessly (Isa 28:28). In Your anger, You remember mercy (Hab 3:2) so (he/she) may again sprout to display beautiful fruit. If ____’s independency drives (him/her) to experience Your overwhelming scourge, FATHER, I pray it break (his/her) harshness and coldness toward You.

Flesh Too Busy

FATHER, Richard Lovelace has labeled the world as our “corporate flesh” (ref#108, p86). The world’s a busy place—people actively doing what seems best in their own eyes—displeasing You, FATHER, whether they are displaying open rebellion toward You or simply ignoring You.

My “private flesh” is busy, too—busy ignoring You to the point of exhaustion. In attempting to please You my flesh can never work hard enough. The laws the Pharisees created for Sabbath observance is a good example of flesh too busy.

“…the Pharisees…hedged it (the Sabbath) with repressive regulations so as to avoid the possibility of breaking the Sabbath” (ref#56, p1464, [Luke 6:1]).

Paul accuses the Galatians of observing days, months, season and years all in an effort to train the flesh to please You (Gal 4:10).

When I find myself exhausted it is because I overextend myself— trying to perform beyond my capacity (ref# 101, p122). “Permit me not to labour at work which thou wilt not bless…” (ref#76, p134). Motivate me to obey Your voice, not my flesh. Motivate me to obey what I hear from You today—only today. You do not strap heavy burdens on my back—You do not require the hectic pace the world requires.