My journey through Isaiah continued today. And once again it wasn’t the main point of a particular verse that caught my attention…but rather the secondary message. I could have easily ignored the primary message. The secondary message? Not so much. Here’s the passage:
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark.
See, it would be easy for me to walk right past that first part. I don’t “consult the spirits of the dead”. I’m not even into astrology. Have always found that dangerous on one extreme and just plain silly on the other extreme.
But that second part I can’t ignore: “Shouldn’t people ask God for guidance?” Of course we should, but do we? Not often enough. James makes the point crystal clear: “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it” (James 4:2, NLT).
Sometimes I make it even worse. Sometimes I ask God, but then ignore the answer (if I even take the time to stop and listen in the first place). Which is stupid. And this passage points out the ignorance by painting a contrast. People will seek answers from dead spirits, but we won’t take the time to ask the Living God for guidance. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
I think I might be running for president of this particular club. But I’m working on doing better. I’m trying to stop and listen more—to seek His guidance and direction. It takes practice. It takes effort. It takes intentionality. But He’s always there…and He’s got a plan (see Jeremiah 29:11) much better than anything I could come up with. If I’d only listen…
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