SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 28
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
In that day the Lord Almighty will be a glorious crown, a beautiful wreath for the remnant of his people. He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. And these also stagger from wine and reel from beer: Priests and prophets stagger from beer and are befuddled with wine; they reel from beer, they stagger when seeing visions, they stumble when rendering decisions. [Isaiah 28:5-7]
When I read these words, I am reminded of these words by Paul: Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. [Ephesians 5:18]
Apparently the religious leaders were filled with wine, not with the Spirit?
Their religion was an empty system of rules – Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule ; a little here, a little there [Isaiah 28:10] – but their hearts were far from God [Matthew 15:8-9]
God is calling them, warning them, challenging them, but it’s as if He is speaking a foreign language, and they do not listen [Isaiah 28:11-12, see 1 Corinthians 14:21].

Jesus describes how God will be a source of strength and wisdom to His followers, by the Spirit.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [John 14:26]
This is what Isaiah speaks of too – a spirit of justice… a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.
Those who cling to the Lord are strengthened by the Spirit, but those who mock the Lord with empty religion will stagger and stumble, befuddled and confused, as if they were filled with wine.

What is the basic message here?
If we rely on ourselves (do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there), we will stagger and stumble; if we rely on the Lord and His strength, He will support and counsel us and make us strong!
Relying on self is like relying on wine – it feels good at first but it eventually leads to more misery.
Those who rely on themselves become enslaved by selfishness, weakness and loneliness: they will go and fall backward, be injured and snared and captured. [Isaiah 28:13]
We need to admit that we need help – like the alcoholic and the 12 step tradition, where they cannot get help until they admit their need for it.
This is a stumbling block for many, but it is an absolutely necessary step.
Trusting in Jesus is a solid place to build our lives: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. [Isaiah 28:16].
But those who prefer to go it alone in their own strength end up staggering and stumbling: Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” [Romans 9:32]

I need help; as long as I refuse to trust in the Lord and the strength His Spirit provides, I will stagger and stumble.
But when I finally give up my selfish folly and look to Him, He will come to me, strengthen me and help me to turn back (win) the battle at the gate.

PRAYER:
Lord, I know the battle I am fighting, and I know how I am failing in my own strength. Help me to see that “do and do” and “rule on rule” will not work; I need Your help, Your Counselor, Your Spirit!