“Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine.”
Isaiah 1:22 NLT
So, I’ve had this parcel sitting in my living room for the last couple of days.
I know what’s in it – it’s body wash cos we have run out. Well, we didn’t quite run out because my ingenious husband filled the almost empty bottle with some water so we’d have enough of a diluted version to last us for a bit. (Yes, we are those people!)
I very efficiently ordered a new bottle of body wash for “next day delivery” and that box was delivered as promised – the next day. That “next day” was 2 days ago…and I haven’t opened the box.
Why? I just haven’t taken the time to.
It’s been easier to live with the watered down version of the body wash than to take 5 minutes out of my day to unpack and truly received what has already been purchased. I mean, I still got clean – right? (I think? I hope!)
As I stared at the box, I felt the twinge of the Holy Spirit asking me if that’s what we do with His treasure chest of promises too? We put up with the watered down version of life trying to keep things going in our own strength. All while our purchased promises of abundance, strength and wisdom lay sitting in our unopened Bibles.
Isaiah 1:22 speaks about how Jerusalem became watered-down wine because they were distracted and diluted by the allure of the world and sin.
“Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine.”
Isaiah 1:22 NLT
Instead of being the once pure silver and fine wine, Jerusalem allowed itself to become worthless and watered-down.
Ellicott’s Commentary on this verse states:
“the wine of spiritual life (Proverbs 9:5), of enthusiasm and zeal for good, was diluted till it had lost all power to strengthen and refresh”
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers – Isaiah 1:22
Friend, have we fallen for the same trap too? Are our spiritual lives so diluted that they have lost all power to strengthen and refresh?
Do we trade time with the Father and all its cleansing restorative power for diluted “rest” through social media scrolling or TV? Not that those things are bad in themselves. But when our hands are so full with work, kids, school runs, chores (and more!), those diluted worldly pit stops provide us temporary escape but often strip us of whatever joy and energy we have left.
Let’s choose to escape into our loving Father arms instead. For He is our true power source. Let’s allow Him and His word to strengthen and refresh us. Only then can we live the abundant lives He so wants us to live.
He’s calling. He’s waiting. Will you come?
“Invigorate my life so that I can praise you even more, and may your truth be my strength!”
Psalms 119:175 TPT
Prayer: Dear Jesus, please make your truth my strength. Be my pathway to being truly fulfilled and refreshed so I can live out the abundant life you so desire me to have. Amen.
Food for thought: What is one thing you can do to incorporate undiluted rest in the Father today?
If you feel like you’re stuck and you don’t know where to start. Book a free 30 minute call with me. I would love to see how I can help you.
