PROVOCATION
Isaiah 1

This is what is written in Isaiah 1:4, “Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who are corrupters! They have forsaken the LORD, They have provoked to anger the Holy One of Israel, they have turned backward.” The Lord was provoked to anger. He is a living God who can be provoked to anger. Provoking the anger of God can be destructive for the one who provokes Him by virtue of their wicked way. If God can be provoked to anger by a wicked way, He can also be provoked to respond in delivering His children who walk away by taking any step from any wicked way. Whenever God is provoked to do good, He will respond graciously by converting any destructive manifestation to a deliverance manifestation. What kind of experience do you want to experience with God? Preferably, would anyone prefer destruction rather than His deliverance? Without any doubt, when God’s deliverance is in place, being in His rest will reign. Once during the journey of the children of Israel from bondage to the Promise Land, Moses needed direction in the way. Exodus 33:13-14, “Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people.” “14 And He said, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” The point here is that the presence of God generates rest. When He is provoked by virtue of one doing what is good in His sight, having His rest will be activated. Having rest in the Lord is to be obedient in His Word because the Word of God is the presence of God. God’s presence will give and lead in the right direction. Do you think of provoking His hands for good? Isaiah prescribed what it takes to provoke Him for good. Isaiah 1:16-17, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor: defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.” It is always good to be on God’s side. There is no need in provoking Him unto anger. God cannot be deceived and no man can hide from Him. Above all, in as much as He will not overlook sin so He will not overlook that which is right. Encourage yourself in the Lord today. Let all of your way be of positive provocation of the hands of God in your favor.

Prayer for today: Have Your way O Lord in my life and let me not be a vessel of negative pro vocation in Jesus name.