NAKED

Naked

ISAIAH 20

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”In the year the field commander, sent by King Sargon of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought and took it, God told Isaiah son of Amoz, “Go, take off your clothes and sandals,” and Isaiah did it, going about naked and barefooted.“

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

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Wait, what? Would God ask that? Something feels especially alarming when I read this. I think it’s a question within me- wondering if God asked, would I?

Could you? That’s all I’ve been able to contemplate. Could you do what Isaiah did?

Could I?

It’s a good question.

My study Bible assures me that Isaiah was “clothed”. Naked meaning without an outer garment, wearing only a simple tunic. Some translations say loin cloth.

I know times are considerably different and I don’t think God would ask a woman to do the same thing.  But it reminds me that God asks His kids to do hard things, things outside of their comfort zones.

Is your spirit asking you what you would do? Within us a sort of reconciliation takes place, I think. The Holy Spirit questioning… “if I asked, would you?” I of course want my answer to be an immediate and obedient yes, but often things are (feel) much harder.

Following after God is hard. It’s the death of self daily. It’s living as a living sacrifice. And this is a perfect depiction. Honestly, God’s asks often don’t fit in with my to-do lists or my comfort zone.

Can I be real? I'm talking to myself here. You can listen in, but this is a meant to encourage me and set me straight. That's the beauty of SOAP.

What has God asked you to do that seems too hard?

Has He asked you to do something and self-preservation has gotten in the way?

Maybe, it’s time to reevaluate what boundaries you’ve placed between you and God. What are they? Why are they there?

Why do comfort zones limit us? The answer is always fear. Can you be bold and full of fear? Or is it likely you’ll be fearful and timid?

God’s asks will most assuredly always stretch me and test WHO is Lord over my life. Is it me? Stuff? Other people? Or is it God?

His asks are not easy, but should they be? He desires to perfect us and that requires us to do the hard things.

Ultimately, it comes down to trust, it comes down to who you believe God to be. Is He fickle, cynical, or cruel? Or is He good- His kindness reaches far beyond generations - and His plans are for a future and a hope.

How then do we build trust? It's in our doing. When He asks, our answer is yes. I recently was talking to a friend about her pottery class and she shared so many biblical references that might get missed if you're not a potter.

We must be in His hands. The more we are in His hands (near to Him) the softer and more malleable we become. We must be grounded and have a foundation in Him.

Prayer: You are the Potter, I am the clay. I don't always understand why You ask what You do, but my response should be a response of trust, obedience, and surrender. I cannot proclaim trust if I don't move. And my faith will not grow, if I don't allow You to work. Would You create opportunity for me to respond to You. Keep me in Your hands, and teach my heart to be soft to your every ask. Whatever it takes LORD, I want to be the woman You created me to be. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!