It Starts Small

“Listen to me, Jacob,
and Israel, the one called by me:
I am he; I am the first,
I am also the last.

Isaiah 48:12

Through out today’s chapter in Isaiah, we see Isaiah pleading with the people of God. Listen! Pay Attention, Israel! What is Isaiah wanting us to pay attention to?

Many individuals claim to be the people of God. However, they do not act in faith on the promises to fulfill His plan for their lives. They are comfortable just being numbered with the saints; but they do not want to leave their comfort zone. They hear the word of God. They understand what it promises and what it calls for them to do. But they stubbornly resist. They conclude it is for someone else. And sadly, they will live out their lives without fulfilling God’s plan. They will never experience what it is like to be actively involved in the work of God.

Isaiah 48 deals with just such a problem with stubborn Israel. Hear what Isaiah says about them:

Because I know that you are stubborn,
and your neck is iron
and your forehead bronze,

Isaiah 48:4
(Bold for emphasis)

You have never heard; you have never known;
for a long time your ears have not been open.
For I knew that you were very treacherous,
and were known as a rebel from birth.

Isaiah 48:8
(Bold for emphasis)

If only you had paid attention to my commands.
Then your peace would have been like a river,
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Isaiah 48:18
(Bold for emphasis)

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 48:22

The prophet foresees that the people of Israel in captivity in Babylon will be resigned. They will live out their lives there. They will forget the promises of a new covenant. They will ignore the restoration to the land and the renewal of their service of God. He speaks this rebuke to them for their weak faith. His aim is to exhort them to heed God’s call.

The LORD exhorts His unclean nation to take note of the prophecies carefully. Based on the messages of the previous chapters, they have been living in unbelief too long. They need to renew their faith in and commitment to God’s word. Furthermore, He reminds them of His continued patience for their benefit. He calls them to contemplate His sovereign acts.

Finally, the LORD encourages them to flee from Babylon through His great redemption when the opportunity arises. The future of God’s people is not in captivity.

Pay attention! Our reflections over this past year a way of ‘paying attention’ to our life and ways.

Reflect over this past year.

What are the ways that you ignored God’s good path in front of you and chose your own path?

What is one way or ways you want to live differently in this coming year?

What changes would it take to actually live differently? What action steps do you need to take?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.