Isaiah 44:20 – “He feeds on ashes; his deceived mind misleads him. He can not rescue himself, nor does he say, ‘Is this not a false god I hold in my right hand?'”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was reminded of a passage in Isaiah that frequently comes to mind.  The words of Isaiah 44:20 grabbed my heart today.  

Feeding on Ashes?   What is that?  It is allowing or elevating anything above God.  It is also failing to feed ourselves with true food (truth).  It is also neglecting to seek God first.  It is to feed the flesh at the expense of the Spirit. 

Do we feed on ashes?  Do we follow the prescription of 1 Thessalonians 5:14-24? 

In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, we find that famous passage of the LORD coming as a thief in the night. Coming ‘as’ (unexpectedly upon the unprepared).   Then, in v.4, something overlooked is revealed. “But you, my brethren, are not in darkness that that day shall overtake you as a thief.”  The believers who make Matthew 6:33 a cornerstone walk in light, not darkness, and will not be found unprepared nor unexpecting.  The charge in v.6 is relevant, no apathy, and v.8 encourages us to live in the now presence of the Living Christ. (He is IN us).

1 Thessalonians 5:14 gives us a description of body ministry.  We are to correct those who offend.   We are to comfort those who are fearful.  We are to uplift the weak.  We are to be patient with everyone.   It is only as we feed on the Bread of Life that we can do that.   In vv 15-22, we have the guide to becoming all God desires.

Deception comes in many forms and is often cloaked in, ‘God said.’  Anything that makes anything our source is not a ‘God said thing.’   Anything that diverts or detracts from body ministry and restoration is not a ‘God said thing.’  God does not promise to satisfy our selfishness.  It is a dangerous thing to attach, ‘God said,’ to our fleshly desires.  Just because we believe something and it looks good does not mean it is a promise from God. God’s purpose is always redemption, reconciliation, and restoration. Judgment is ONLY after we have exhausted the limits of His patience.

I don’t trust voices that are never right but keep insisting that they have the inside information or a special revelation.  Yet, repeatedly, they prove to be wrong!  

So don’t be one who feeds on ashes, whatever they may be.   Feed on the Word of God! Feed on the fruit of a surrendered heart.  Remember, Jesus is coming soon, and we are invited to participate in His purpose now and His presence eternally.   Look in your spiritual cupboard and examine what you are feeding on.

Have a wonderful day in the LORD and feed on His Word, not the ashes of self.