Isaiah 30

ScriptureIsaiah 30:22Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”Observation - What does it say?In the midst of God punishing his rebellious children, he longed to be gracious to them and show them compassion (verse 18). And so, after the time of experiencing the wrath of God the prophet speaks of a time when God’s people would experience his tenderness and grace. In this time God will be there when they cry out to him, he will answer them immediately, he will open their eyes to see him and will direct every one of their steps.In response to experiencing the incredible love and grace of God, verse 22 says the people will toss the idols and things they treasured like the most repulsive garbage.Understanding - What does it mean?When you experience the love and grace of God, everything else you valued pales in comparison and He becomes the sole object of your pursuit, desire and worship.We’ve all had those friends we were close to until they found a boyfriend or girlfriend. Suddenly they disappeared. They became so obsessed with their new relationship that they didn’t seem to care at all about anything they used to value, even their relationship with us.It sounds a bit like Paul describing his priority shift after experiencing God:Philippians 3:7-8⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…Life ApplicationTake a moment to honestly reflect. Looking at how I spend my time and money, what are the things I’ve been valuing that need to be discarded? What needs to take a back seat so I can go after God?Abstain from the acceptable to gain the unattainable.Trash the useless idols so you can make room for the one true, living God!God, thank you for your incredible love and mercy that you have lavished on me! Nothing compares to knowing you. I choose to go after you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength! Forgive me for wasting time watching tv or on my phone when I could be enjoying your presence and relationship with you! I choose to say no to those things and to choose you instead today. Amen.