Lessons from Isaiah
Yesterday, I went to the doctor’s office for my annual checkup. They took blood and urine samples; they looked at all my “numbers,” asked a few questions, looked at my past history; and pronounced me good to go. I’m sleeping better, going to the bathroom less and getting more exercise, and beginning to develop greater flexibility in my joints.Before we left the doctor volunteered this, “For a 71 year-old patient, based on what I am seeing, you are at very low risk of developing prostate cancer.” Good news, right?
We drove home from the visit relieved. On the drive, I remember commenting to my bride, “I’m feeling pretty good being my age and having little risk of developing prostate cancer.”
But last night, I couldn’t sleep, and got up three times in the first 1.5 hours after turning the lights out. So, I did what I normally do during sleepless nights–I reached for my Bible, turned to my book mark in the book of Isaiah, and began to read. Chapter 15:1.
The oracle concerning Moab.
___Surely in a night Ar of Moab is devastated and ruined;
___Surely in a night Kir of Moab is devastated and ruined.
Isaiah was prophesying about the Moabites who lived in the region southeast of Jericho and running the length of the Dead Sea (modern-day Jordan). But what he says still has application to us and all people because is based on the righteousness of God’s judgment.
In a night, Moabs fortunes would be devastated and ruined. Overnight, their prosperity and safety would be no more.
Things can change quickly.
And God will use it all. So I sat in the dim glow of my Kindle reading Isaiah and thought came to me,
“not once, since yesterday morning,
and the good report from your doctor
have you turned your heart to Me
and thanked Me for your good health.”
Immediately, I changed my tune. I thanked God for the wonder of my health and confessed the slowness of my gratefulness and appreciation for God giving me better health than I deserve. There is a creeping, taking-good-things-for-granted aspect to all of our lives. There certainly is in mine. We left the doctor’s office around noon. It took me till two o’clock in the morning, a full 14 hours, before I rendered even a thought of the Lord Jesus Christ in all the grace He has shown me in my good health.
Take this to heart people. Be better than me. Cultivate thankfulness for all of His goodness, everyday.
Things can change quickly.
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