We Are the Faithful City

Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.  Isaiah 1:27

"Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD.  “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.  Isaiah 1:18-20

You really need to read all of Isaiah 1 to get a full picture of what God is saying to Israel.  What strikes me is that God - GOD, the I AM, Jehovah, Creator - is begging His people to return to Him.  He promises them a reputation (you will be called the Faithful City), restoration (though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow), as well as retribution (you will be devoured by the sword).

This could just as easily be you and I.  In fact, God's word, which lasts forever, lasts for that reason - that we see ourselves in His promises, both good and bad.  We are just like Israel.  We know how wonderful God is, and yet we settle for less than His good and perfect plan. We know how good His fullness is, and yet we settle for small, inadequate substitutes.  We know He comes through on His promises, and yet we don't trust Him and run into the arms of  god we've created.

We need to get real with this; it's black and white.  Everything He says is true, or He is a liar.  If we are not willing to call Him a liar, then we must live as if His word is true.  Every time. Every way.

I want God to call me His Faithful City, His City of Righteousness.  I can only survive if I live His truth.  I can only make it if I believe Him.  I must believe the good stuff, and the bad.  And the good and bad is laid out clearly in Isaiah 1.  He longs to restore us, renew us, cleanse us.  But there will come a time when the opportunity to trust Him is gone.  Then the truth will be our punishment.

Oh that we will trust Him!!