Isaiah 1:19-22 "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (21) How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. (22) Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:"
Again, the Lord has already said, "Come, let us reason together..."
But be assured, He did not mean that He would compromise His truth for
any "wants" of the people. In another place, God asks the question,
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) This
does not mean that God will come down to our interpretation of the truth;
rather, His truth shall stand for all eternity. If we are willing to
submit to His way, we will enjoy the goodness and productivity of the land.
BUT, if we refuse and rebel against Him, we can be assured that He will remain
true to Himself. I included verses 21 and 22 to show how quickly a nation
can turn from prosperity to hardship and failure. He is speaking of the
city of Jerusalem both in Old Testament times and also in the time of Christ.
But it can also apply to our nation and to us as individuals. That which was
good became vanity and weakness. I refer back to verse 4, "... they
have forsaken the LORD..." We open ourselves to hardship and heartache
when we try to go our own way instead of following the Lord. Which shall
it be? Shall we submit to the Lord and follow Him? Or, will we openly forsake
and turn away from Him? Be assured there are consequences that are hard to bear
when we go our own way.