A Righteous Branch, A Redeeming Name

Posted on October 4, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over five words in Jeremiah this morning . . . one hyphenated word if I spoke Hebrew. Experiencing an ebb and flow as I meditate. The outgoing “tide”, the emptying of self, that of wonder, awe, and worship. The incoming waves are the fresh reminder of how it’s even possible that I should have a desire or access to offer my heart before heaven.

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.'”

(Jeremiah 23:5-6 ESV)

The Lord Is Our Righteousness. Jehovah-Tsidkenu.

Not only is He righteous. He is our righteousness.

Our salvation, our security, is found only in Him because of who He is and because He has credited who He is to the accounts of those who believe. He is righteous. He has imputed to us His righteousness. Thus, we are righteous in Him.

Today the King reigns internally, through His Spirit, high and lifted up, beheld by eyes of faith. One day He will return to reign visibly, enthroned for all to see. Our confidence that we will behold Him face to face? He is the Righteous One. He is our righteousness.

Meditating on it, it seems like something easier felt than tell’t.

Oh, the wonder of such a redeemer! Oh, what confidence in such a redemption! Wholly of Him. Nothing of self.

Fit to worship, serve, and be called friend by The Righteous Branch of David. Only because The LORD Is Our Righteousness.

Oh, what a Savior! Oh, hallelujah!

Oh, what grace!

To God be the glory!

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Consider (A Rerun)

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Pete

Pulled up my 2008 thoughts from today’s assigned readings. From what I can remember of the Fall of 2008, things were going pretty good — at least I don’t recall any major problems. Such musings, it seems to me, God uses to prepare you for the day when things may not be so easy. Ministered to me this morning. Sharing them with you.

So after my first 3 readings this morning in Jeremiah, John, and James I really thought I’d be “penning” something about our awesome God. And then I read the first fourteen verses of Ecclesiastes and was just taken with Solomon’s down-home good ol’ “horse sense”. And it’s kind of interesting how the “high and lofty” of the 3 J’s set such an umbrella for the down-to-worth advice of Solomon.

In Jeremiah 19 – 22 the prophet continues to hammer Judah with declarations of judgment to come. In the midst of it, he turns his voice to heaven and tells God how hard this “prophecy of doom” ministry is . . . but then, he declares, “But the LORD is with me as a mighty awesome One.” (Jer. 20:11) Life’s hard? Yes!!! God’s awesome? Amen!!! He’s with me? True statement! Therefore I go on.

John 3 though shifts from God the judge to God our Savior reminding me how much God loved this world . . . that He gave His one and only Son . . . that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17) And James brings the two aspects of God that I read about together when he concludes, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” (James 4:12 NIV) And against that big backdrop of awesome God . . . Savior and Destroyer . . . Redeemer and Judge . . . Caring Shepherd and Refining Fire . . . God of the good times and God of the not so good times . . . against that backdrop I enter Solomon’s world . . .

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:
Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other,
So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.”

(Ecclesiastes 7:14 NKJV)

Ain’t it true that, if we had our way, we’d be on the mountain-top 24/7? I’d take the “light-hearted comedy” over the “gut-wrenching docu-drama” anytime. Give me the happy ending over tragic un-certainty. I always wanna see the good guy get the gal next door. And when life’s like that, Solomon says, “Enjoy yourself! Be happy! Have a blast!” These days, he says, come from God . . . rejoice in them and give Him all the glory.

Good stuff? Amen! But wise old Solomon is inspired by the Holy Spirit to record some balanced sage advice, “Not every day’s gonna be a happy day.” I really don’t like to think about that but, true enough. And God’s inspired word says that when you find yourself in the “day of adversity” . . . when the going gets tough . . . when the bad guy seems to be winning . . . when there’s tears rather than laughter . . . then “consider”.

It’s an imperative . . . a command . . . it’s what we are to do when we find ourselves in the dumps . . . consider. Have a good hard look, Solomon says, when the days are grey. Give attention to . . . inspect . . . observe . . . think about . . . learn from. Remembering that this day too is from awesome God. There’s a lot of learning to be done in the tough times . . . both about our God and about ourselves. And I’m not trying to be trite . . . but I think it’s Biblical . . . it’s what Solomon is saying. If God is God . . . if all our days are ordained of Him . . . then He is as much behind the tough times as He is the good times. He has appointed prosperity, He has appointed adversity. He has allowed both. And in those days of difficulty, He says, “Consider.”

And part of that consideration is remembering that “man can find out nothing that will come after him,” or as the NLT puts it, “Remember, that nothing is certain in this life.” We can make all the plans we want, but days of adversity are really a reminder that only God knows our future, we sure don’t. And if you think about it, that can be kind of a healthy reminder or wakeup call from time to time. Being reminded that we are really not in control can cause us to take nothing for granted. Looking deep into the days of adversity will cause us to look up . . . and remind us that “we walk by faith and not by sight.” (2Cor. 5:7). The day of trouble can drive us to our knees and bring us back to the place where we need to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding . . . that we need to acknowledge Him in all our ways . . . and in all our days . . . believing that He will direct our paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Remember . . . consider . . . He is awesome God . . . Savior and Destroyer . . . Redeemer and Judge . . . Caring Shepherd and Refining Fire . . . God of the good times . . . God of the bad. And the day of adversity can be used to drive us into His loving arms. The day of adversity reminds us that He is control.The day of adversity becomes our call to renewed faith and trust.

God, thank You for the days of prosperity — for the good times. And Father, help me, by Your grace, to allow the days of adversity — the not so good times — to also have a purifying effect in me through which You continue to form me into the image of Your Son. In the days of trouble may I be quick to consider . . . to look up . . . to know You . . . and acknowledge Your rule in my life . . . and then believe . . . and then trust . . . and then rest. Amen.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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The Facts

Posted on September 30, 2021 by Pete

There’s no way I can read James 4 and not map it to what seems to be a prevailing undercurrent throughout the body of Christ in this season. But the temptation, it seems to me, would be over application or, worse yet, leveraging it for self justification. So, as I hover over the passage, I need to be slow to speak how it applies to others, and quick to listen to what I think the Spirit is saying to me. So, following the lead of a well known detective from my black and white TV days, I’m gonna try and stay with the facts, “just the facts ma’am.”

Fact: James addresses an issue among the people of God.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

(James 4:1 ESV)

Problems among the people of God? An indicator of problems within the people of God. We have passions at war within us. Pleasures (NIV) we want to realize. Cravings (CSB) we think need to be addressed. Peterson paraphrases it as, “You want your own way” (MSG). The original word is hedone — looks a lot like the possible root for our modern term hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure and self-indulgence.

Fact: The heart of man contributes to heat in the moment.

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

(James 4:2-3 ESV)

These passions at work within believers result in murder within the body of Christ. Not murder murder as in, “Shoot him with a gun”, but anger murder as in, “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Jesus, Matt. 5:21-22). Murder as in “you fight and quarrel” murder. And why? Perhaps it’s a propensity to wanna put on the gloves first and then pray later. Hmmm. Maybe the family that prays together really does stay together.

Fact: The heart of man is influenced by the ways of the world.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

(James 4:4 ESV)

Fondness of the culture around us can impact the firmness of the community among us. It’s been a problem for the people of God since there were a people of God — we tend to look to the world for cues which should be coming from the Word. Prone to get our minds stuck on man’s wisdom below and lose focus on God’s wisdom from above.

Fact: The solution is grace. And accessing the solution requires humility.

But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

(James 4:6, 10 ESV)

I’m not big enough to deal with my heart problem on my own. I’m not strong enough. I’m not pure enough. I’m a work in progress — too often, it’s painfully slow progress. So I need grace.

I need grace that forgives my murder. Grace that cleanses my stained heart. Grace that calls me to a higher road. Grace that enables me to walk that road. Grace that lives in me, and through me, by the One who gave Himself for me, and wants, one day, to be wed to me. And that grace is freely accessed not through my ability to step it up, but my willingness to bow down. Humbly acknowledging things are not as they should be. Confessing my complicity. Acknowledging my dependence on Him to help me to maintain the unity (Eph. 4:1-3).

Fact: It starts with how we talk about each other.

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers [and sisters].

(James 4:11 ESV)

Don’t criticize (CSB). Don’t slander (NIV). Don’t bad-mouth (MSG). Just don’t.

I think that’s the facts, ma’am.

Lord, help me to internalize Your truth. Help me to externalize Your way.

All by Your grace. Only for Your glory.

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The Way of Real Wisdom

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Pete

Anybody else praying for wisdom these days? More aware now than ever that to navigate our cultural moment we need help from above?

A couple of chapters ago James exhorts his readers, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (1:5). Okay, that’s a promise to claim. But how do we know if we’re picking up what the Father is sending down? How do we know that wisdom sent from above hasn’t been hijacked with an apparent wisdom sourced from below? Something I read this morning might help with assessing if we’re walking in the way of real wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

(James 3:13-15 ESV)

Meek, pure, peaceable. Gentle, open to reason, full of mercy. Impartial and sincere. How’s that for a checklist against which to check ourselves? Useful for a quick mental assessment of whether or not the wisdom we’re walking in is sourced from the God who liberally supplies wisdom or has been swapped out with something that is more earthly, unspiritual, or even demonic?

I need to ask myself, Self, is the way that seems right to you cloaked in a mild disposition and a gentle spirit, or is it more often accompanied by the hair standing up on the back of your neck and your fists clenched?

Self, is it founded in truth — real, verifiable, truth? Is it peace loving, peace promoting — more characterized by a heart of reconciliation rather than a default to division? Is it respectful, seeming, suitable, and fair?

Self, is it open to reason? I love that one! Is its starting point one of wanting to link arms rather than butt heads. Some translations convey being compliant (CSB), submissive (NIV), or willing to get along (NLT). Ready to listen, slow to speak. Open to correction, not quick to defend. A “let’s have a conversation” attitude rather than a “let me tell you a thing or two” posture.

Self, is the wisdom you’re waving full of mercy. Overflowing with kindness, even if kindness isn’t necessarily overflowing to you? Is it without duplicity and hypocrisy. A heart that’s right, a heart that’s open, a heart that’s free of veiled agendas?

That’s the wisdom from above. That’s what God’s ready to give generously for those who ask. And we ask for what we want.

That’s what I want. Lord, give wisdom that looks and sounds a lot more like Jesus and lot less like me.

For my good. For the good of others.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Tame the Untamable

Posted on September 28, 2021 by Pete

If it’s true, then we really do need to take heed. If it’s as easy to be derailed by it as James says it is, and if it’s really so universally at play as James claims it is, then to be aware of it is just smart thinking. If what might appear to be so innocuous to us really can wreak such havoc and cause such destruction, then we’d do well to take note of it, to take inventory of it, and, if required, to take action concerning it.

It? It is the tongue.

. . . no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

(James 3:8 ESV)

Really? A restless evil? Filled with deadly poison? Untamable by any human being? A world of unrighteousness (3:6)? Staining the whole body? Capable of setting on fire the entire course of life with the fire of hell itself? A problem for all mankind with unlimited potential to cause extensive damage? Really? Is this true? Evidently — if, in fact, all Scripture is God-breathed (and it is).

True for the redeemed as well? A potential reality for the Christ follower? Apparently.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

(James 3:9 ESV)

The tongue. A small member yet boasts great things (3:5a). Like a bridle in the mouth of a snorting stallion, or like a small rudder on a great ship, almost imperceptible yet capable of steering massive things in whatever direction they choose (3:3-4). Like a small camp fire, though capable of providing much needed heat and warmth for the few hovered over it, just as capable of setting a massive forest ablaze marring it’s landscape for generations (3:5b).

Really? Yeah, really.

Tell me we don’t see evidence of the tongue influencing, and the tongue maligning, and the tongue destroying, as we scroll down the tongue’s modern megaphone, our social media feeds. People who never would have said an unkind word to someone in person, without apparent hesitation ready to share and re-post the fire-igniting words of others. A generation raised not to call others names, seemingly quick to slap labels on strangers (and friends often) for what they think they know about what they believe. At least in James’ day it took a while for “word of mouth” to spread the fires of slander and misinformation. Today, a press of the button and the tongue which blesses God and yet curses image-bearers of God has an audience of friends, and friends of friends, almost instantaneously.

Didn’t really start out intending this to be a rant on social media. So, it’s not.

But if what James says about the tongue is true, then I really do need to take heed.

Pause. Reflect. Acknowledge. Repent.

And, by His power in me, and really wanting to reflect more of the One who lives through me, tame the untamable.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Not By Faith Alone

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Pete

No wonder it evoked a reaction from Luther in the early days of his awakening to justification by faith. Even today, no matter how many times you read it, for the gospel-minded it can come across like the sound of fingernails being dragged down a chalkboard.

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

(James 2:24 ESV)

Not by faith alone. You’re not gonna find that cross-stitched into some pillow for the sofa. Not gonna be embossed on some t-shirt with a cool graphic by some trendy Christian apparel company. Nope, just not gonna be a big seller.

But is it true?

Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true . . . think about these things.

(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Of course it’s true. It’s the word of God. Of course, however, it’s also all about context.

James’ point is that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (2:17). That saving faith is works producing faith. That where works are absent there’s reason to wonder if whatever faith is professed is, in fact, a living faith.

James (2:21-23) knows that Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” — that he was saved by faith alone. But he’s also quick to point out that in offering up Isaac on the altar “faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” Thus, argues James, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?”

“Well, yeah, sorta, if you put it that way,” I want to answer.

But is there any “sorta” about it? Or is the fact of the matter that those who really believe will really behave? That those who truly confess will be known by their conduct? That those who actually acknowledge Jesus as Lord will act in accordance with that acknowledgment ? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Not talking about earning merit, but about exhibiting a heart made new. Not talking about perfect obedience, but about a purposeful orientation towards walking the talk. Talking about others being able to pick up on an authentic faith in Jesus because it bears the fruit of actively following Jesus. And that only by His grace and by His enabling.

James gets the gospel dynamic. He knows that God “brought us forth by the word of truth” (1:18). He reinforces that it’s only receiving (aka believing) “with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (1:21). But James also gets that what really goes in, is gonna come out. Thus, the expectation that those saved by faith in the word are going to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (1:22).

I’m not looking for some legalistic faith. But oh, how I want a living faith. A faith justified, or evidenced, by works. A faith that exhibits it’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20). A faith not by faith alone.

By His grace alone. For His glory alone.

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Despair Consumed by Delight

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Pete

Been noticing the Preacher’s heart as I’ve been reading in Ecclesiastes. He’s applied his heart to seek and search out wisdom (1:13). But he’s also applied his heart to know madness and folly (1:16). He has tested his heart with pleasure (2:1). He has even consulted his heart as bartender on how to dispense wine freely so that he could embrace the ways of living foolishly (2:3). At the end of day — at the heart of the matter — with his earth-constrained, mortally-minded perspective, he concludes that whether it’s the way of wisdom or the fancy of folly, it doesn’t really make any difference. And, since it’s all meaningless, why bother then being “so very wise” (2:15)?

So, what’s next?

So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun.

(Ecclesiastes 2:20 ESV)

Whether it’s a heart plied with wisdom or doused in wine, if at the end of the day all there is is what’s under the sun, then eventually it will become a heart defaulted to despair.

Despair. Despondency. Depression. Hard stuff. Rarely addressed with simple solutions and quick fixes. But if I’m picking up what the Preacher’s laying down, unless we deal with the vanity under the sun, not sure how we’re truly going to see the light of day.

Not that we ignore the futilities of life that can confront us, but we look beyond them. With holy determination and divine enabling, we fix our eyes beyond this life to the fullness of life promised to us. And that, in Christ. Through the cross. In the power of the resurrection. According to the abundant grace apportioned to us. In anticipation of a place which is even now being prepared for us. Doing life under the sun in the context of a life beyond the sun. An eye always to the sky waiting for the day when we will forever be with the One who redeemed our heart so that our abiding hope might continually revive our heart.

Every so I often I feel the pull of the riptide of despair. That undertow dragging you to a place you don’t want to go. But much of its power, I think, is sourced in an under the sun view of our toils and labors. It’s enveloping current is diminished when we set our hearts on things above.

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

(2Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV)

Focus on the seen things, the transient things, and despair will come knocking at the door of your heart. But turn your eyes to the weight of glory being prepared for us, the eternal things, then hear Jesus knocking at the door. And if we open the door, then we’ll know despair consumed by delight.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A View of Life Beyond the Sun

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Pete

If it all comes out the same in the wash “under the sun,” then truly, “behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind” under the sun (Eccl. 1:14).

Hovering over the first-half of Ecclesiastes 2 this morning. Amazed at how aware, it would seem, the “Preacher” was with his experimentation.

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine —  my heart still guiding me with wisdom —  and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

(Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 ESV)

Solomon knew the word of God and therefore knew what was good for the children of man to do — love the LORD your God with all your heart (Deut. 6:5). Instead, he released his heart, though blessed of heaven itself with wisdom (1Kings 4:29), to pursue how to lay hold of folly.

What a contrast between Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. In Proverbs folly is the enemy of wisdom, wisdom the remedy for folly. But later in life it seems Solomon got bored with things above and focused exclusively on things under the sun, leveraging wisdom to experiment with folly.

Not exactly sure how to articulate it, but sure feels like there’s a lesson to be learned hear, a warning to be heeded. Something to the effect that when we become preoccupied with life “under the sun” there’s no telling what we might play with in order to have “fun in the sun” — even to the point of getting severely “sun burned.” And what’s the “sunscreen?” A view of life beyond the sun.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

(Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

I’m no Solomon, but if Christ is the personification of wisdom (and I think He is), then just like David’s son I have been divinely infused with wisdom because my life is hidden with Christ in God. My heart has been redeemed, regenerated, and retooled to process wisdom in a way it never could have when it was a heart dead in trespass and sin.

So, what am I gonna do with my heart? Evidently, it’s somewhat dependent on where I cast my eyes. If on things above, then my heart will, for the most part, run after wisdom by the power of the Spirit of wisdom in me. But if I am preoccupied with things under the sun, beware, for even a heart of wisdom can be enticed to lay hold of folly.

Solomon’s conclusion after is experimentation?

Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them.

(Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 ESV)

The way of wisdom is clearly better then the pursuit of folly, says Solomon, but so what? The same event happens to all of them. Yeah, true statement if you’re fixated only on what is under the sun. But refocus on a coming King, a returning Master, a soon to be reigning Sovereign who will require an accounting for what is done under the sun, and then the way of wisdom pays eternal dividends!

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

(Matthew 25:21 ESV)

Sure, we who have been gifted with wisdom from above can play around and experiment with it below, but why would we when we are seeking things above? Wisdom faithfulness here and now means entering into the joy of the Master there and then. Sounds like a good deal to me.

Possible by God’s grace. Pursued for God’s glory.

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A Steadfast Life

Posted on September 22, 2021 by Pete

The weight of the pandemic is still being felt. Just a few months ago we thought we were turning a corner only to soon realize it was a blind corner and there was a truck heading our way on our side of the road. More disease, death, debate, and division and, for many of us, closer to us now than it’s ever been. In my own world, people continuing to leave because of masks even as dear friends are in the hospital hooked to a mask trying to get enough oxygen into their system to survive. Heavy sigh! And that just gets layered on to whatever our “normal” stressors and challenges are. Heavy sigh, again!

Probably why I have ears to hear and a heart that wants to believe what James is speaking this morning.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. . . . Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

(James 1:2-3, 12 ESV)

Where do you go but to the truths of the Truth-Speaker when your day begins with a heaviness because today doesn’t appear to be shaping up a lot unlike yesterday? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to paint a picture where nothing’s going right. Much to give thanks for and rejoice in on a number of fronts. It’s just that, from time to time, if feels like a sack of rocks is attached to my garment of praise. A weight even as I seek to worship. But I digress. Back to my question. Where do you go when the pressure valve is yet to be released? To the promises of God.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial . . .

Remain steadfast. Endure the trial. Persevere. Stick it out. And you’ll be blessed. Happy even.

Really? Yeah, really.

Blessed in the here and now as you know afresh His divine presence — as Christ lives in you and through you. Experiencing again the reality of His all-enabling power. Encountering again the practical sufficiency of His all-sufficient grace.

Anticipating being blessed in the there and then because there’s a crown of life, a victor’s wreath, waiting at the end of the marathon. Promised of God for those faithfully sojourning the pilgrim’s trail on their way home.

I believe it. ‘Cause I walk by faith, not by sight. And, I’m encouraged by it. Knowing He is faithful and that it really is going to be worth it all.

So, whatever burden I feel like I’m bearing, I’ll count it all joy. Consider it “a sheer gift” (MSG). Confident in the steadfast love of the One who calls me again to a steadfastness life.

By His grace. For His glory.

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My Vote

Posted on September 21, 2021 by Pete

There are those who, in light of current events, say that if ever there was a time for the church to be knee deep into prophecy, it’s now. In all cases where I’ve heard this expressed it’s a call to open the book of Revelation, usually so that we might identify and respond to the signs of the time. Can I respectfully suggest that perhaps Isaiah would be a better place to hang out?

I wrapped up the first of the major prophets this morning. As has been the case for the past few years, I again complete this 25-day fly over of Isaiah with a deep sense that I need to go back and spend more time in the book. Knowing that, while I have tasted of what the prophet offers for understanding any times when the people of God feel like they’re in the end times, there is still so much more to pick up from what’s being laid down.

But here’s my quick, though less than fully thought out reasoning for thinking Isaiah may be the prophetic word we need in these days.

  • The ancient people of God were in an unprecedented time of trouble. Sure, it had been bad for a long while, but the heat was being turned up and God sent someone to help them make sense of it.
  • The ancient people of God had been playing games with God for a long, long time. Honoring God with their lips but with hearts far from Him, they went through the motions of worshiping God while worshiping so many other things as well — things which should not be worshiped. Time for a word from the LORD. Time to repent.
  • Though a patient God, He was also a God who demanded holiness and justice — a couple of things in rare supply in ancient Israel. Thus, He would use the situation around them to refine their hearts and remove the dross from within them. And for those who responded to the heat being turned up, for those who feared the Lord, those with a contrite and lowly spirit, He promised revival — first individually, then corporately. He assured them He would not contend forever.
  • Though a God of justice and holiness, He repeatedly opens His heart to His people as a God of compassion. A God who, for His own name’s sake, will be true to His promise, and to His people, and to the place where His glory would dwell. Hope exudes throughout Isaiah even as warnings abound and hardship persists.
  • And in the center of it all, “My Servant.” A glorious future secure because the arm of the LORD has been revealed. A confidence of right relationship with God because of the sacrifice of a Lamb. The sin problem dealt with through the finished work of a suffering Savior.
  • And at the end of it all?

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.”

(Isaiah 65:17-19 ESV)

Isaiah’s got everything the people of God need for seasons like this. A reminder of a God who is always at work behind the scenes to accomplish His purposes and fulfill His promises. A repeated warning by God about the sin which can be at the root of societal suffering. A call to return to God, for His people to repent with hearts bowed low and eyes lifted high. A reassurance from God that He really is working all things for our good according to His purpose. A refocus from God that heaven won’t be found on this earth, but will be realized in the creation of a new heavens and a new earth. All leading to a renewed spirit from God as we trek through this hard season staying focused on making Him known.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV)

That’s my vote for the prophecy we’d benefit from at this time. Just one man’s opinion.

Saved by His grace. Trying to figure out how to walk in this season for His glory.

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