The Cry for the World
Today’s Verse:
Isaiah 15 describes the judgment of God upon Moab. His judgment was accomplished through the Assyrian army during Isaiah’s day. Isaiah had a vivid vision of the destruction and demise of Moab. So overwhelming was this vision from God that the prophet said, “My heart shall cry out for Moab.” Moab is a picture of the world. Isaiah’s heart was broken for God’s coming judgment on Moab. Does your heart cry out for the world?
We see the perishing.
Isaiah saw a people that was perishing. The overthrow of Moab is described as a “burden,” being “laid waste,” and being “brought to silence.” He described the bloodshed as “the waters of Dimon… full of blood.” He said that there would be a great cry within and without the cities of Moab. Even the armed soldiers and courageous men would cry. He said that there was no escape. Isaiah described a people that was perishing. William Booth used to tell the workers in his Salvation Army that they needed to have a vision of people perishing in Hell in order to give them a burning compassion and sense of urgency in reaching the lost of England. A cry for the world entails that we must see people that are dying and going to Hell.
We see the perception.
Jeremiah said, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart.” Jesus said, “Look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Isaiah saw people who were crying out for help. We must see the need. Look at the cities and the lack of gospel-preaching churches. Look at the foreign soil and the shortage of missionaries and national pastors needed to reach the people with the gospel. Look at the school systems and the thousands upon thousands of students being ingrained with humanistic and ungodly philosophy. Look at the crime statistics and the decaying of the urban cities. Look and realize that the only hope for this sin-sick world is the gospel.
We see the passion.
Isaiah said, “My heart shall cry out for Moab.” He was consumed with a passion for their ultimate destiny. Compassion is your hurt in my heart. Compassion is the yearning that we have for the plight of others. Jude said, “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” Paul said, “For the love of Christ constraineth us.” Compassion is a greater incentive for reaching people than compensation. Where there is compassion, there is the conviction that “woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.” We need our hearts to start beating again with compassion for the lost.
We see the priority.
First, we must pray for sinners to be saved and for laborers to be sent into the harvest. Second, we must make a target list of people that we will reach with the gospel and constantly refresh this list as God leads us to more people. Third, we must participate in the evangelistic endeavor of the church in reaching souls. Fourth, we should go on a short-term missions trip and participate with a missionary who is reaching his area with the gospel. We must have our feet shod with the gospel of peace and go with the gospel.
Let your heart cry out today for “Moab.” God invites all the world to be saved when He says, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”
Have a gospel-centric God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Acts 24-26