July 2nd
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 4–5, Psalm 115–116, Jude
📖 Scripture Focus:
Isaiah 5:4
“What more could I have done for my vineyard that I have not already done?”
Isaiah 4:2, 4
“But in that day, the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious… The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion…”
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 115:11–13
“All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly.”
Psalm 116:12–13
“What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
⸻
✨ Devotional: “What More Could I Have Done?”
As I read through Isaiah chapters 4 and 5, my heart feels heavy. After thousands of years of God’s goodness, after all His wonders — parting the sea, leading His people through the wilderness, feeding them from heaven, making water flow from rocks — still, His people continued to sin and not trust Him.
In Isaiah 5:4, God asks a heartbreaking question:
“What more could I have done for my vineyard?”
He had done everything. He gave them the best land, His Word, His prophets, His presence. And still, they rebelled.
In Isaiah 5:13, the consequence is clear:
“So my people will go into exile far away because they do not know me.”
They had religion — sacrifices, rituals — but they did not know Him. That’s what broke His heart.
But Isaiah doesn’t end in despair. In chapter 4, God gives a beautiful promise:
“In that day, the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious…”
“The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion…”
This is a picture of Jesus — the Branch, the one who brings beauty, glory, fruitfulness, and cleansing. He is the One who restores what sin has destroyed. He provides all we need — not just materially, but spiritually and relationally. To know Him is to love Him. And not just with our lips, but with our lives.
⸻
💔 A Warning to Us, Too
God wasn’t just angry because of alcohol. He was heartbroken that His people filled their lives with pleasure, distraction, and injustice instead of Him.
We’re just one choice away from following that same path — a compromise, a season of spiritual drift, or a self-centered way of living.
Let’s be honest:
•Pleasure, by definition, is pleasing oneself. Most of our choices revolve around “If I’m happy… if I’m comfortable… if I’m not tired.” That’s a self-centered life.
•Distractions come in many forms — entertainment, busyness, even good things — but they pull us away from using our gifts, spending time with the Lord, and being with His people.
•Injustice isn’t just what we see on the news — it’s living outside the ways of God, not walking in obedience to His Word.
And the enemy is happy to entertain us while we forget our Savior —
Forgetting that we’re saved.
Forgetting that we have a Savior.
Forgetting that we were meant to live in a relationship with Him.
Forgetting that we have an enemy trying to pull us away.
Forgetting…..
⸻
🪞 Lesson for Me:
The Lord has done everything to draw me near — He’s planted, prepared, protected, and pursued. He has saved me, cleansed me, and continues to provide all I need through Jesus. But the fruit of my life matters to Him. This passage reminds me to watch carefully what I allow to grow in my heart. God wants a relationship rooted in trust, gratitude, and holiness — not one built on comfort, compromise, or religious routine. He wants all of me.
⸻
📝 Application Questions to Journal:
•Am I living in love with Jesus — or just going through religious motions?
•Have I made pleasing myself a bigger priority than pleasing God?
•What distractions are keeping me from being fully present with the Lord and His people?
•Am I walking in obedience — or allowing small compromises to grow?
•Have I forgotten that I’m saved, and that I have a real enemy who wants to pull me away from Jesus?
⸻
🙏 Prayer:
Lord, not to us — not to us — but to Your name be the glory.
You’ve done everything for us — provided salvation, grace, truth, and life through Jesus.
Forgive us for the times we’ve produced bitter fruit, or drifted away from intimacy with You.
Wash us, restore us, and help us live lives that reflect our love for You.
We don’t want to just know about You — we want to truly know You and walk in Your beauty, majesty, and holiness.
We lift up the cup of salvation and praise You — because You are worthy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Isaiah 5:4
“What more could I have done for my vineyard that I have not already done?”
Isaiah 4:2, 4
“But in that day, the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious… The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion…”
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalm 115:11–13
“All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord! He is your helper and your shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us. He will bless the people of Israel and bless the priests, the descendants of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, both great and lowly.”
Psalm 116:12–13
“What can I offer the Lord for all He has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
⸻
✨ Devotional: “What More Could I Have Done?”
As I read through Isaiah chapters 4 and 5, my heart feels heavy. After thousands of years of God’s goodness, after all His wonders — parting the sea, leading His people through the wilderness, feeding them from heaven, making water flow from rocks — still, His people continued to sin and not trust Him.
In Isaiah 5:4, God asks a heartbreaking question:
“What more could I have done for my vineyard?”
He had done everything. He gave them the best land, His Word, His prophets, His presence. And still, they rebelled.
In Isaiah 5:13, the consequence is clear:
“So my people will go into exile far away because they do not know me.”
They had religion — sacrifices, rituals — but they did not know Him. That’s what broke His heart.
But Isaiah doesn’t end in despair. In chapter 4, God gives a beautiful promise:
“In that day, the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious…”
“The Lord will wash the filth from beautiful Zion…”
This is a picture of Jesus — the Branch, the one who brings beauty, glory, fruitfulness, and cleansing. He is the One who restores what sin has destroyed. He provides all we need — not just materially, but spiritually and relationally. To know Him is to love Him. And not just with our lips, but with our lives.
⸻
💔 A Warning to Us, Too
God wasn’t just angry because of alcohol. He was heartbroken that His people filled their lives with pleasure, distraction, and injustice instead of Him.
We’re just one choice away from following that same path — a compromise, a season of spiritual drift, or a self-centered way of living.
Let’s be honest:
•Pleasure, by definition, is pleasing oneself. Most of our choices revolve around “If I’m happy… if I’m comfortable… if I’m not tired.” That’s a self-centered life.
•Distractions come in many forms — entertainment, busyness, even good things — but they pull us away from using our gifts, spending time with the Lord, and being with His people.
•Injustice isn’t just what we see on the news — it’s living outside the ways of God, not walking in obedience to His Word.
And the enemy is happy to entertain us while we forget our Savior —
Forgetting that we’re saved.
Forgetting that we have a Savior.
Forgetting that we were meant to live in a relationship with Him.
Forgetting that we have an enemy trying to pull us away.
Forgetting…..
⸻
🪞 Lesson for Me:
The Lord has done everything to draw me near — He’s planted, prepared, protected, and pursued. He has saved me, cleansed me, and continues to provide all I need through Jesus. But the fruit of my life matters to Him. This passage reminds me to watch carefully what I allow to grow in my heart. God wants a relationship rooted in trust, gratitude, and holiness — not one built on comfort, compromise, or religious routine. He wants all of me.
⸻
📝 Application Questions to Journal:
•Am I living in love with Jesus — or just going through religious motions?
•Have I made pleasing myself a bigger priority than pleasing God?
•What distractions are keeping me from being fully present with the Lord and His people?
•Am I walking in obedience — or allowing small compromises to grow?
•Have I forgotten that I’m saved, and that I have a real enemy who wants to pull me away from Jesus?
⸻
🙏 Prayer:
Lord, not to us — not to us — but to Your name be the glory.
You’ve done everything for us — provided salvation, grace, truth, and life through Jesus.
Forgive us for the times we’ve produced bitter fruit, or drifted away from intimacy with You.
Wash us, restore us, and help us live lives that reflect our love for You.
We don’t want to just know about You — we want to truly know You and walk in Your beauty, majesty, and holiness.
We lift up the cup of salvation and praise You — because You are worthy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.