Day 192, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading
(use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 29–32Growing Pains
Why does this stuff keep happening to me? My school friends, family, business associates, or fellow employees betray me. All my money or influence is taken away. I can’t win. If this describes any of us, perhaps we, like Israel in today’s Bible reading, are experiencing growing pains.
The effects of growing pains
As children grow, they sometimes have pain in their muscles, commonly called “growing pains.” Teens and adults have their own kind of growing pains—they are emotional and spiritual because life has many troubles we can’t solve. This teaches us to depend totally on God.
But some rebel against the LORD. They naively think that trouble will not touch them no matter how they live— they are invincible. Some may believe they don’t need God and get along nicely without Him. Others who are self-righteous may go to church and follow the rituals, but their heart and behavior don’t change. They put blinders over their eyes and stop up their ears to the truth or to anyone who warns them. Some will complain about life, rebel against restrictions, and fall into destructive, sinful habits.
Most teens and adults learn from their mistakes (or sins) before they lead to the destruction of their life and relationships, but not all. These difficult experiences are spiritual growing pains. Hopefully, after much pain and defeat, they see that a relationship with God is a better way to live. (more)
God can help lessen the effects
The northern kingdom of Israel didn’t learn from God’s judgment against her rebellion, extreme wickedness, idol worship, injustice, or heed warnings from His many prophets. Her people were therefore taken away into exile into a foreign land, and others inhabited their land. Now the southern kingdom of Judah is following in the same destructive track. Even so, if she turns from her sins and trusts the LORD, there will be deliverance from her enemies. The same can be true of us; we do not have to suffer as other rebellious Christians; God can deliver us from our trials if we rely upon Him. The LORD protects those who look to Him for deliverance.
Judah is blinded by her sin. Her priests, people, and leadership offer the required sacrifices in the temple, doing everything they are supposed to do, but it is just a ceremonial pretense. They try to hide their sin from the LORD and convince themselves that He doesn’t know about it. The people are wayward in spirit and complain (Isaiah 29:24), but someday it will be different.Unhealthy alliances can hurt
Judah is obstinate. She carries out plans without consulting the LORD. She does not look to Him for her help but forms an alliance with the godless nation of Egypt, who once enslaved her. Parents are deeply grieved when their children seek friendships with those from the “wrong crowd.” We know how God feels; their alliances only lead them to trouble. God describes Judah,
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction. They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” (Isaiah 30:9-11, NIV)
The same kinds of things are often said to godly family and friends who try to steer them back to God: “Don’t talk to me about church or religion or what God says. I don’t want to hear it!”
However, because Judah is obstinate, her sins are like high cracked and bulging walls that will eventually collapse if she doesn’t repent.
God’s grace is available
Those who live rebellious lives need to learn the same thing as Judah.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” (Isaiah 30:15, NIV).
Judah continues to do things her own way but fails to get reliable help from the Egyptians. Does God then give up on His stubborn children? No. Even in judgment, God is gracious. The prophet says, “…the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18, NIV)
Speaking of the future Millennium, the prophet continues, “The LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.” (Isaiah 30:26b, NIV)
God now pleads with all Israel, “Return to him you have so greatly revolted against, O Israelites” (Isaiah 31:6, NIV).
There is hope for the future of Israel, both now and in the future. Soon Judah will awaken and return to the LORD, and Assyria will be annihilated. In the end, God will destroy Assyria.
When Jesus Christ comes back to rule and reign on the earth, the eyes of the Israelites will see the Messiah they now reject. They will turn to the Lord, repent, and be saved. There is a similar hope for many parents—the LORD will work in their children’s rebellious hearts, and they will return again.
Do we, our children, or our grandchildren have spiritual growing pains? Salvation is found in God alone. “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15a, NIV).
Discussion
What are growing pains, and how can we lessen their effects? Where can our help come from?
(http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/
growth/growing_pains.html#cat162)Focus Verse
Isaiah 30:18 (NIV) “…the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to mtbiblestudies@gmail.com
Looking Ahead: Growing Pains teach us to rely on the LORD. We learn that we need his Help when facing threatening situations. Find out more in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagere-edited 7-11-21
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES