Withering

The Hebrew word navel, basically means wither or lose heart. It is used twenty times in the Old Testament. The word describes Moses in Exodus 18:18—warned about wearing out from trying to judge the people alone. Eleven times it refers to plants dying. Isaiah uses it to show people withering from sin (Isaiah 64:6). When you think of the condition of the world right now does it feel like it is withering? Such a thought should not be surprising for God warned us that this would happen. 

​Meditation
Isaiah 24:3-5--The earth will be stripped completely bare and will be totally plundered, for the Lord has spoken this message. The earth mourns and withers; the world wastes away and withers; the exalted people of the earth waste away. The earth is polluted by its inhabitants, for they have transgressed teachings, overstepped decrees, and broken the everlasting covenant.
 
Isaiah chapter 24 is all about God’s coming judgment. But before He ultimately judges the earth and its inhabitants it is consigned to wither. Why? Because mankind has horrifically polluted it by incessant sin expressed by Isaiah in three ways in verse 5.  
            
We went on a trip and came home to find our potted plants badly drooping—the consequence of going too long without water. Fortunately, after we fed them they perked right back.  Isn’t this how it is for God’s children? We spiritually wilt when we forget to feed ourselves from scripture.  We slump as if in a stupor because we are too busy for fellowship, too busy to pray, too busy to worship, too caught up in the tangled affairs of a chaotic planet. But when we do what God asks, when we obey Him, we flourish—the antonym for wither.  
            
While the world awaits judgment, we have the opportunity in the midst of decay to bloom. We have the Holy Spirit, the hope of redemption, the promise of eternal life and the command to shine! This is not the time to appease the flesh and fail.  It is not the season to wallow in fear or bemoan life. This is the hour of power—that holy period God ordained for us to run and not be weary so that we might model the truth of His love and share the joy that comes from following Jesus. Withering is not God’s plan for His children. So take heart and flourish! 

As we live the way God intended we have the prospect of helping those who are languishing.  This is a sacred trust and one made possible only when our eyes are on Christ.  So lose the sound of despair, refuse to join the world’s complaining chorus.  This is hallelujah time. Jesus is coming soon.  Something to think about . . . in reveration!            
            
Inspiration
The cedars of Lebanon have such extraordinary power of life that instead of nourishing parasites they kill them, the life within is so strong and so robust that instead of feeding the parasites they choke them off.  God grant that we may be so filled with His life, may flourish as the cedars of Lebanon, so that He can trust us down in all the dark, difficult places among the souls of our fellow human beings and be able to pour His tremendous health and power through us.—Oswald Chambers in Workmen of God

©2021 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)