DEVOTIONAL:

 JUDAH

BIBLE READING: ISAIAH 1:1-6

MEMORY VERSE: GENESIS 49:8

          
          The name Judah means praise.Judah was chosen to be the chief and ruling tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel (Gen.49;8-12). The scepter of a king and the office of a lawgiver were all allotted to Judah.Genesis 4;10 says;

The scepter shall not depart from Judah,nor a lawgiver from between his feet,until Shiloh come,and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Judah is a similitude of the church.In Judah we can see a shadow of the things to come with respect to the church.Just like Judah,believers are the royal priesthood expected to show forth the praises of God.(1pet.2;9-10).

The prophet Isaiah was sent with a message primarily to Judah and Jerusalem-the seat of Judah's power(Isaiah.1;1). This message contained instructions ,reproof ,warnings,comfort and encouragement from God to His people.At the time of Isaiah's prophecy,the kingdom of Israel had become divided and weakened through civil wars and conflicts with other nations.This same situation applies to the present day church.The church today engages in several  battles.There are fights within and wars without.(2corinthians.7;5). Judah was rebellious and ignorant(isaiah.1:2). They were corrupt,degenerated,depressed laden with iniquity;having backslidden,forsaken God and provoked Him to anger.Just like Judah,many modern day Christians live in ignorance and sin.In this deplorable state,the demand of God on Judah in Isaiah.1;16-18 was;

‘’Wash you,make you clean,put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes;cease to do evil;learn to do well;seek judgement,relieve the oppressed,judge the fatherless,plead for the widow.come now ,and let us reason together,saith the lord;though your sins be as scarlet,they shall be as white as snow,though they be red like crimson,they shall  be as wool.’’

This speaks of repentance and total consecration.As a Christian,God expects that you present your body as living sacrifice which must be holy and acceptable to him (Rom.12;1).Your consecration to God should be personal,voluntary and sacrificial.How committed are you to God?Is your consecration total?Examine yourself.

ACTION POINT: Do a thorough self assessment today.repent of the shortcomings you identify.