True Identity Ministries Blog

The first in book in the Old Testament section of The Prophets is Isaiah, a prophet who lived around 700 BC in Jerusalem. Through the reign of four kings, Isaiah was God's voice to a nation (Judah) spiraling further into sin and disobedience.

"Your silver has become dross, your best wine mixed with water." (Isaiah 1.22 ESV)

The second half of the verse really stands out to me. You might be wondeirng what watered down wine has to do with you, right? I know, I can read your thoughts before you think it ;) Or perhaps I have wondered that too. We're all girls...we get each other, right!

Judah and the people of Israel were favored by God and had every advantage. They were a best wine. As time progressed however, their hearts began to turn toward the things of this world. In a sense, they were allowing water of the world to seep into the wine.

As a Christian, we can be full on for God. Things are going great. But if we are not careful to guard our relationship with God, water can began to seep in...clutter will build...junk will fill our hearts. If we do not protect that relationship, water will begin to mix with the wine...clutter will overwhelm...junk will leave no room for necessities.

The wine may continue to have the color and appearance of wine, but that would just be an appearance. When we allow clutter to build up, on the outside we may still have an appearance of being full on (for a while), but the truth is that we are not best wine any longer. And I believe God would desire for His children to be the best wine.

How often do we allow a little to mix in our hearts? We may think it's just the season, or a little won't hurt...the excuses could go on. But the truth is that mixing is actually a person slacking in their relationship with God and living selfishly, truth be told. I know, I've been there.

I would like to challenge you today to look within your heart. Have you allowed any water to seep in? Water seeps in through what we watch, the music we listen to, the people we hang around. If we aren't guarding what is entering, then there is an opportunity for what is not righteous to mix with what is righteous.

But there are also the other things that can seep in that may not be so noticeable: loneliness, depression, lust, greed...the list could go on. There was a time period in my life where I became discouraged. I allowed the water of discouragement to seep in and mix with what was in my heart. After a while this diluted wine began to hinder my relationship with the Lord.

Not one person can afford to allow the unrighteousness of this world to mix with the best wine God has favored. Be careful to guard the best wine.

"I...purge the junk from your life, clean you up. I'll set honest judges and wise counselors among you just like it was back in the beginning. The you'll be renamed City-That-Treats-People-Right, a True-Blue City." (Isaiah 1.25-26 MSG)

The people of Israel had turned their back to God (and it wasn't the first time). Yet God in His wonderful Grace and Love tells them that He will remove the junk and clean them up if they would turn back to Him. The mixed wine returned to purity.

What an encouragement to all of us. The Creator of the Universe says that if we will just look to Him, He will clean us up.