Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Isaiah 63:2, “Why is Your apparel red, and Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?”

Background

In the movie Steel Magnolias, Shelby, the character played by Julia Roberts, has a baby against the counsel of her doctors and the wishes of her mom. She had been warned that having a baby would put a dangerous strain on her body because of her diabetes, and that turned out to be the case. A short time after having her son, Shelby and her mom are in the beauty parlor, and one of the other ladies notices several ugly scars on Shelby’s arms. Taken aback, she exclaims to the others that it looks like Shelby has been driving nails up her arms. Playing off of their shock, Shelby and her mom agree that they cannot keep it a secret any longer, and that yes, Shelby has indeed been driving nails up her arms. Their gag lasts for just a moment before Shelby explains that her kidneys were damaged from having Jack, Jr., and now she is just going through dialysis and procedures with the doctor to strengthen her veins. As bad as her arms looked, it wasn’t self-inflicted torture, but rather the expected effects and appearance of what her body had been through.

Application

Isaiah asked the Mighty One why His clothes were covered in red. Quite frankly, His clothes were covered with the blood of Israel’s enemies. It was the natural by-product of delivering His people. Jesus, why did You die on a cross? It was the necessary step to redeem His beloved children from their sins. Jesus, why did You rise again and ascend to the Father? It was the natural response to a debt paid and a victory won. Jesus, why do I fail You? It is the power of the natural man, but one that He uses to teach us to return and depend on Him. Child of God, why do you lack faith? Why do you neglect God’s written Word? Why do you make so little time to talk with your Father? I’ll leave those answers up to each of us to answer for ourselves. But I reckon the answers have something to do with the natural by-product of our relationship with Him, one that we can no longer keep a secret. Seek Him above all else. You’ll like what you get.

Charge

As we seek Him today, reflect on what’s naturally flowing out of what you’re putting into your walk with the Lord. Ask God for a refreshing of your spirit.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words