I am excited about the 4th of July!
But.......
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that we are in deep trouble as a nation.
Are you weary? Can we handle the truth?
And though this prophecy in Isaiah speaks specifically to Israel, the principles and truth here is universal and eternal.
See if you don't agree that this chapter reads like a current Op-Ed piece on any online publication.......
ISAIAH 59- ESV
[1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
The problem in not the lack of ability in the Lord, and it really isn't our foreign enemies....the problem with the U.S. is US!
In a solar eclipse, the Sun is still there...it is just hidden.
We live in an America today that does not see the Lord as we should. He is still there, but He is hidden...why?
If God seems absent- we are the ones who have moved- and this text agrees!
[2] but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. [3] For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.
In our land there is personal sin, corporate sin, national sin........
There is republican sin...there is democratic sin....
There is corporate sin.... there is sin in the Church as well
[4] No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
How evil are the evil ones?
[5] They hatch adders' eggs; they weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched. [6] Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands. [7] Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. [8] The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.
And what happens to a land where injustice and iniquity is the theme?
[9] Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. [10] We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men.
And what is the tone of 'reality' show rhetoric and water cooler conversations?
[11] We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. [12] For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: [13] transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.
Here is a great summary statement regarding our health as a nation......
[14] Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. [15] Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Does this mean there in no hope?
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. [16] He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. [17] He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Yes, Jesus Himself did do what NO MAN could do. But be warned, God is full of mercy... but He also comes in wrath against injustice!
[18] According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. [19] So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. [20] “And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD. [21] “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the LORD, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
Do you grow disheartened about shrinking GDP? Are you concerned about an unsecured border? Do you get angry at all of the growing public controversies? Are you losing faith in your government?
All of that is the broken promises of worthless idols........
Re-commit yourself to the Covenant-keeping God who offers hope, salvation, and peace. Pray for regeneration of men and women- a return to truth.
Read this chapter as a prayer of personal confession and repentance....
Until God closes the curtain... we need to proclaim the gospel!
All is not lost...and never will be.
Even if we fall, God will spare and protect the remnant.
Keep hopeful...stay prayerful... and keep proclaiming the truth!
Lord, let our children see Your glory and put their hope in YOU!
God Bless America!
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