Getting Back to the Basics of Life

O. T. #1697  "Getting Back to the Basics of Life"
May 25, 2020
Isaiah 58-Part 4
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. (Psalm 37:40

LET IT GLOW

If Israel followed through on God's agenda, spiritual blessings would flow: Their recovery would come quickly; when they call, the LORD will answer; their light will shine in the darkness; the LORD will always lead. But these things hinged on God's people restoring His proper worship, symbolized by fasting, coupled with just and charitable outreach to the poor and the oppressed.
Imagine the voice the church can have in heaven today, if we come together across class, ethnic, and denominational boundaries to collectively fast and call on God to intervene. We could perhaps be the repairer of broken walls, the restorer of streets where people live.
(Tony Evans Bible Commentary)

In verses 12-14, God promises revival and restoration. The descendants of the people to whom Isaiah was preaching would one day rebuild the destroyed wall and foundations of Jerusalem. They would be repairers of the walls and rebuild the places where they would live, some along the path or road back.

Does our family or home need rebuilt by faith?

LET IT GROW

In the last two verses, Isaiah is reminding the people of the three categories of God's conditions before His promises are experienced: Man's responsibility to God, to others, and to the Sabbath.

Young suggests that the Sabbath is a place upon which one walks, a holy ground, on which the unsanctified foot is not to walk on it.

How is the Sabbath, our Lord's Day, to be observed and honored?

• It is to be a great delight, not for doing one's own things, nor seeking pleasure (sports and recreation), nor speaking idle talk, which do not delight in the Lord Himself.
• It is a day on which we honor the Lord and delight in Him.
• It is a special day we set aside from our regular days of work and rest our body and spirit.
• We do no business on the Sabbath.
• We are to speak of divine things as we sit in the house and walk by the way.

Are we observing the Lord's Day for the Lord? Is it a day separated from common use and devoted to God and His service? Do others recognize our observance without stress of everyday activities?
Isn't it time for us to get back to the basics of life?

LET IT GO
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him: fret not thyself because of Him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (Ps. 37:5.7)