Destruction & Disaster

Destruction & Disaster

ISAIAH 3

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Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like

Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

Isaiah 3:8-9

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This chapter describes how corrupt leadership brought destruction and disaster to Jerusalem which ultimately led to its collapse. Destruction and disaster that was brought on by their own sin. They were threatened with famine, ignorant leaders, oppression, and removal of useful and wise men both in church and state. Not only do they sin, but they sin boldly and without shame. Almost flaunting their sin as if they are proud of it. As a consequence of their faithlessness and sin, God brings judgment.

This got me thinking about self-destruction. How often do we engage in things that we know aren’t right, but they feel good now, so we do it anyway? We follow our emotions and feelings…seeking comfort, temporary highs, and instant gratification. Maybe things work out just fine after we do it once. We think “oh, that wasn’t so bad!” and we keep at it. We find ways to justify our sin. Maybe eventually we convince ourselves that what we are doing isn’t really sinful at all. We stop confessing and we accept sin as part of life. Maybe it’s shopping and you find yourself in financial trouble. Maybe it’s alcohol and you are finding yourself in trouble with the law or at work. Maybe it’s sex and now your health is suffering.

We don’t confess, we keep sinning, and the path gets darker and darker. Before we know it, disaster and destruction are upon us. It’s hard to admit this, but can you think of an area in your life where this could be happening? What can you confess today that maybe you haven’t before?

My dad passed away last week. He was an alcoholic who for 2/3 of his life abused alcohol. He never confronted the trauma he faced as a child. Instead, he chose to numb himself with alcohol and drugs. It’s so easy to see how these things lead to disaster and destruction. His job suffered, his relationships suffered, his mental health suffered, and his physical health suffered until the day he died.

From the time I was a teenager until I was 33, I confronted him many times about alcohol and how it was ruining his life. He fervently denied he had a problem. He blamed everyone around him and harbored such anger and hatred. At the time he passed away, I hadn’t seen or spoken to him in 3 years. I loved my dad and always hoped he would change. It breaks my heart he never did.

In the last week, I have spent a lot of time thinking about how different things could have been. How different his life could have been if he confronted his demons, confessed his sins and had faith that God could get him through. If he turned to God rather than alcohol for comfort, his life would have been completely different.

Prayer: God, we all need your mercy. I pray and plead for you mercy in our lives. I pray that we be quick to confess our sins and anyway that we disobey you. Not only in actions, but also thoughts. Lord, cleanse our heart, mind, and bodies of all unclean, sinful and ugly things. Replace the destructive thoughts with ones of honor, glory, and purity. I want more of you and less of me- lead me toward you and away from destruction and disaster. Amen.