Scripture for study: Isaiah 5
The other day I was having a conversation with my brother about quality of life (QOL) and I remember what I told him about QOL.
It’s subjective and depends on what matters to you.
For me, peace, love and harmony matter way more than my bank balance.
And even though the latter may increase my chances of feeling content but like the nature of the source, the result would also be temporary.
Eternal happiness can be found only in Christ. And even Isaiah agrees.
Signs You Are Out of His Blessing and on Your Own
Isaiah chapter 5 is a full-fledged discourse on how a life without the blessing of the Lord, that is Jesus Christ, looks like:
Scarcity in abundance (Isaiah 5:9-11)
The people gather land over land – to reap only 1/10th of its actual capacity, house over house – never to live in them.
Endless Strife and Burnout (Isaiah 5:11)
They start their labor early in the morning, strive all day unto night until they are completely burnt out in the meaningless pursuit.
Joyless Entertainment (Isaiah 5:12)
They have access to the best entertainment and yet fail to experience the goodness of God.
Oppression and Bondage (Isaiah 5:13)
A lack of godly revelation keeps them in eternal captivity, where they are unable to experience the fullness of life, the God-kind of life (zoe)1.
The Blessing of the Lord Makes One Rich!
Now, compare the above verses to Proverbs 10:22:
The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and He adds no sorrow to it.
Every time I had to take a critical decision, be it changing career, switching jobs or steering clear of certain relationships, this is one of the verses that has guided me in differentiating between “good” things and “God” things.
No matter how good something or someone looks, if God is not in it, I don’t want any part thereof.
Cause I am too tiny a human with very limited knowledge to correctly anticipate and counter the consequences of my choices.
Being in His will protects me.
It’s when I abide in His vine, Jesus Christ, that I bear much fruit. (John 15:4)
Humility, the Key to Choosing God Over “Good”
The problem with the Israelites wasn’t their lack of knowledge. It was a lack of godly revelation that let them call good bad and bad good! (Isaiah 5:20)
This has been a problem since Genesis…since the tree of the knowledge of good and bad.
It takes humility to rely on His wisdom even when it makes no sense…even when it calls for death on the cross. (Philippians 2:8)
And as believers, our QOL is directly proportional to our submission to Abba’s will.
For with Him, by our side we will flourish even in prisons and pits (like Joseph) and reap a bountiful even in famine (like Isaac)!
For He is our source, our never-drying spring of life, the giver of all perfect gifts (James 1:17).
To Him be all the glory, and honor and praise 🙌🏼
In Jesus’ name,
Amen!
