Exiled from God

Posted by Rob Irvine on Apr 5, 2010 in Daily Bread | 1 comment

Have you ever felt exiled from God? Far from God. In other words your prayer life sucked. Isaiah has an answer to that dilemma. The Prophet says it is because they did not really know him (experientially). The context of this passage tells of things that got in the way of knowing God and being close to Him. For them it was partying too much, late into the evening and in bad shape in the morning. Bottom line they were letting their lifestyle get in the way of getting to know God. Their lifestyle did not allow for quiet alone times with God.

When I was growing up we could not be out late Saturday night. We had to be in early to be ready to go to church in the morning and worship and learn of God. I thought this was extremely crazy. However as I got older I learned the importance of this. I could either live a lifestyle that helped me get closer to God or one that drew me away from God. The lifestyle that the people in this passage decided to live resulted in exile because "they really did not know God." These people were children of God or in our time period they were Christians and on their way to heaven but did not really experientially know God and that made them feel far from God.

Prayer is a key way to really know God. Sometimes though we feel exiled from God. Is it because God has left us or has our lifestyle squeezed God out?

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6