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Read:Isaiah 5:20-24
Listen: Isaiah 5

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Isaiah 5:20

Isaiah serves God as a prophet to the nation of Israel. He delivers God’s warning messages to the people because they are rebelling against God. These “woes” call them to turn away from their sin and return to God. Compared to the Israelites, Isaiah is a good guy. He’s following and obeying God even when it’s unpopular and painful. Yet in God’s presence, Isaiah declares his own “woe” (Isaiah 6:5). Isaiah knows he is sinful. Compared to God, Isaiah is not holy.

We live in a culture that is quick to call out “woes” on other people but unwilling to call them out on ourselves. It can be easy to see the sin in other people’s lives and miss the sin in our lives. We might think that compared to others, we’re doing pretty good. But like Isaiah, we are not holy compared to God’s holiness. Isaiah shows us we can declare that God is holy, and we are not. God will meet us in that confession. Confession of our sin is central to a relationship with God. When we declare God is holy and we are sinful, our relationship with God can be restored through Jesus.

TODAY:Ask God to help you recognize your sin and confess it to him. No matter how big or small the sin, God is ready and willing to forgive and restore you. “God, I confess that ___________ is sin against you. You are holy. I am not. Please forgive me and, through your Spirit, help me grow in holiness. Amen.”

JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read Isaiah 43-44. Highlight anything that points to Jesus. Consider how the servant refers to Jesus.