By Ellen Atmadja
October 21st, 2003

 I. Break the Compromise

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil," Isaiah 1:16

It’s not them not keeping the daily sacrifice that made God so upset about Israel. In fact, Israel did sacrifice, many and generously (Isaiah 1:11). So what are the “evil assemblies” all about? Well, it’s the same reason that makes your boyfriend/ girlfriend upset. No matter how lavishly your partner adorns you, TWO-TIMING will still be unacceptable, despicable. God calls us to BREAK THE COMPROMISE.

II. Confess and Be Forgiven

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land;” Isaiah 1:18-19

Alexander III was Tsar of Russia from 1881-1894. His rule was marked by repression and in particular by persecution of Jews. His wife, Maria Fedorovna, provided a stark contrast, being known for her generosity to those in need. On one occasion her husband had signed an order consigning a prisoner to life in exile. It read simply”Pardon impossible, to be sent to Siberia." Maria changed that prisoner’s life by moving the comma in her husband's order. She altered it to "Pardon, impossible to be sent to Siberia."

Scarlet or crimson is a deep-red permanent dye, and the stain it made is virtually impossible to be removed. But God promises us the impossible can be made possible. Like Maria shifted the comma in her husband’s order, God will wash our sins and turn judgment into grace. God calls us to CONFESS AND BE FORGIVEN of our sins.

III. Submit and Be Refined

“I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purged away your dross, And take away your alloy. I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” Isaiah 1: 25-26

The worker will continue to process the silver until he can see his reflection on the metal. The process includes melting the silver and getting rid of the dross. God wants to do the same for us. He wants us to reflect Him and for that , we must have willing hearts that want to be melted ,shaped and purged to contain only God’s glory. God calls us to SUBMIT AND BE REFINED.