Isaiah 1:19-20

The keys to living the “good life” is a lot simpler than once thought.

Isaiah 1:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

^“19 If you are willing and obedient,
   you will eat the good things of the land;

²⁰ but if you resist and rebel,
   you will be devoured by the sword.”
  For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

There are some key words that really catch my attention:

·         Willing

·         Obedient

·         Resist

·         Rebel

·         Devoured

will·ing/ˈwiliNG/

Adjective:

Ready, eager, or prepared to do something. Given or done readily: "willing obedience".

Synonyms: ready – voluntary

            Our will to do something is something that we can control. It means that we have the capability to do something and it is up to us to make the decision. God wants us to willingly follow and trust Him.

o·be·di·ent/ōˈbēdēənt/

Adjective:	Complying with orders or requests; submissive to another's will.
Synonyms:	submissive - docile - biddable - tractable - dutiful

            Telling someone to obey is like calling them a four letter word now a days. This is probably among the most difficult aspect to get under control when you enter the kingdom of God. We come from a society that tells you to only be obedient to your parents to an extent then told to be completely independent and “march to their one beat” later on. It takes time to get ourselves back into the mode of being a child and being obedient to our heavenly father.

re·sist/riˈzist/

Verb:	Withstand the action or effect of.
Noun:	A resistant substance applied as a coating to protect a surface during some process, for example to prevent dye or glaze adhering.
Synonyms:	verb.  withstand - oppose - stand noun.  resistance

“Resist” is a commonly used word, but has been over used to the point where people don’t take it seriously anymore. Resisting God is something that you DO NOT want to do. Resisting could mean the result of blessings being withheld.

reb·el/ˈrebəl/

Noun:	A person who rises in armed resistance against an established government or ruler.
Verb:	Rise in opposition or armed resistance to an established government or ruler.
Synonyms:	noun.  insurgent - mutineer - insurrectionist - rioter verb.  revolt - mutiny - rise - riot

Being a rebel is no longer considered an awful thing to be called, but now is a compliment to most in this society. It is all about going against old rules and creating new ones-new standards which unfortunately are lower standards than what they are going against.

devouredpast participle, past tense of de·vour (Verb)

Verb:

Eat (food or prey) hungrily or quickly. (of fire, disease, or other forces) Consume (someone or something) destructively.

You obviously never want to be devoured by the sword of God. Devour takes on a whole new level of intensity when it is stated in the word of God. In Isaiah 1:20, the word “devour” can mean an eternity separated from God.