Today’s reading:
Isaiah 59:1-21
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear.” (v. 2)
Right from the time of creation, God had desired for a close relationship between him and the man and woman He first created. Not only did He put them in a beautiful garden after creating them in his image and likeness, He walked in the garden in the cool of the day to fellowship with them. However, the man and woman were deceived by the serpent, and subsequently they hid themselves from His presence, among the trees of the garden (Gen. 3:8). This sin of disobedience to God robbed the first man and woman of their intimate relationship with God of all creation.
God then drove them out of the garden (Gen. 3:24), thereby creating a separation between them and him, which is automatically inherited by everyone who comes into the world after them. We all became enemies of God, rather than friends (Col. 1:21). “Separation” simply means the act or state of moving or being moved apart; disconnection; severance; detachment. Biblically, separation from God amounts to being cut off from him and this is known to have grave consequences, including forfeiture of all good things He has created and given man dominion over. Man then would have to struggle by himself to have those things, if he ever gets them.
Separation from God could be temporary or permanent, that is, eternal.
Temporary separation may occur when one steps out of God’s presence or will, for a while and later retraces the steps and gets reconciled back to God. Some of the factors or reasons which result in temporary separation from God include: sins (unconfessed and unrepented) which include: pride; idolatry; selfishness, injustice, worldliness and distractions with social media at the expense of praying and studying the word; ungodly relationship, dishonesty; transgression and iniquities, such as pointed out by prophet Isaiah in our Today’s reading in v2-15.
Permanent separation from God is basically caused by unbelief. Anyone who refuses to accept Jesus as his Saviour and redeemer is automatically separated from God and heading for a permanent separation from him. It results in the person going to hell after he transits from the earth to the other side of eternity i.e. opposite of heaven. It is important to mention that after one has accepted Jesus as saviour, but falls into any sin and refuses to repent of it, he may end in hell – permanent separation from God. God is very loving and merciful and does not want the death of a sinner, but does not encourage sin and unrepentance and un-reconciliation with him.
There are many consequences of separation from God. In our Today’s reading, Isaiah pointed some of these out for Israel in v2. 9-15: God’s face was hidden from them; He would not hear them; justice was far from them; lack of peace; darkness replaced light; mourning and growling; transgressions multiplied and sin testified against them; God was displeased with them. Aside from the experiences of Israel, other consequences include; punishment from God, especially meant to straighten or help one to retrace steps; also, one may be left for the devil and enemies to deal with. Whereas for the believer who is careful and walking with God, he is assured in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing, not even death, life or any other created thing shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. To avoid separation from God and remain in his presence and enjoying his present and eternal blessings, man has his role to play, just as God has his too.
We see the examples of God’s roles in our Today’s reading in v. 16-21. God looked for an intercessor for Israel and found none. As believers, God expects us to intercede for fellow believers, who are erring or backsliding or joking with sin, and also for unbelievers. God goes out of his way to bring salvation and restoration to both believers and unbelievers. It is now left to them to accept or not to accept. He brings forth his own righteousness and though He repays the sinner for his sins, He will draw him back to himself so that he will fear him. He promises to come as his Redeemer, raise a standard against his enemies by his Spirit and promises to keep his Covenant with him, such that his Spirit and word will not depart from his mouth and those of his descendants forever.
Summarily, God always works towards deliverance and restoration for the sinner. The basic role of the sinner is to run back to God, into his opened hands, repent and accept forgiveness. Then move on in the Christian walk with God, avoiding all manner of sin or anything that can cause either temporary or eternal separation.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Our heavenly Father, we thank you for being our creator and God.
Precious Lord, we appreciate your sacrifice to bring us back to our creator and God, breaking the wall of separation between us and him.
Father, in your mercy, help us to run away from anything that can create, either a temporary or permanent separation between You and us.
Lord Jesus, please open the eyes of your followers in the church to those things that create separation between God and them.
Father, send revival to our nation, so that everyone is won into Your Kingdom, and so the wall of separation removed from men.
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