Why it Matters - High Places

Readings for today: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35

I love King Josiah. He is one of my favorite people in the entire Old Testament. I love how he seeks the Lord from a young age. I love his repentant heart before the Lord when he hears God’s Word. I love his commitment to the Lord and his godly leadership of God’s people. “The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant before the Lord, agreeing to follow the Lord and to obey his commandments, laws, and rules with all his heart and being, by carrying out the terms of this covenant recorded on this scroll. All the people agreed to keep the covenant.” (‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭23‬:‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬) Once he sets his course, there is no turning back. He burns every idol. He desecrates every shrine set up to some false god. He tears down every high place he can get his hands on.

High places are an interesting religious phenomenon in ancient Israel. You see them pop up all over the place in the histories of the Kings and Chronicles and the universal opinion of them is not good. Often the righteousness of kings is judged on whether or not they tolerate them. So what were they? Originally, they were sacred spaces where the Canaanite tribes worshipped their gods. If you flip back to Deuteronomy 12, you read these words, “You must by all means destroy all the places where the nations you are about to dispossess worship their gods – on the high mountains and hills and under every leafy tree. You must tear down their altars, shatter their sacred pillars, burn up their sacred Asherah poles, and cut down the images of their gods; you must eliminate their very memory from that place.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬) I remember hiking to a high place a few years ago when I was in Jordan visiting the famous city of Petra. The climb took about forty minutes or so and when I got to the top I was greeted with a spectacular view of the city and the surrounding region. It’s easy to see why this place would be used as a place of worship. However, according to our guide, the history is pretty dark. Not only was the high place used for animal sacrifice and drink offerings, it is highly likely it was also used for the sacrifice of children which was fairly common at the time. (If you look closely at the picture above, you can see the drains for the blood.) No wonder God wanted His people to have nothing to do with these places!

God had set His people apart. They would be different. They would not be like any other tribe or nation. Because they were a nation of priests, they would worship Yahweh in the way He prescribed. “But you must seek only the place he chooses from all your tribes to establish his name as his place of residence, and you must go there. And there you must take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the personal offerings you have prepared, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. Both you and your families must feast there before the Lord your God and rejoice in all the output of your labor with which he has blessed you.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NET‬‬) Where was this place? Originally, it was the Tabernacle that traveled with them in the wilderness. After Solomon, it was the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the place where God had set His name and indwelt with His presence. This was the “place” the Israelites were commanded to seek when they worshipped. However, the travel could be difficult. The cost was high. It meant time away from the fields. Time away from home. After the kingdoms split, it meant possible defection by the northern tribes so the Israelite kings set up their own shrines (the sin of Jeroboam) and forbade their people from traveling to Jerusalem at the prescribed times. The people set up their own shrines to Yahweh on the very high places He once commanded them to destroy. If we assume the best of them, they were trying to worship Yahweh. Trying to remain faithful. Just not in the way He demanded or the way He deserved. At their worst, they adopted the idolatrous worship practices of the local pagan tribes and worshipped false gods.  

What do we learn from Josiah’s example? God cares about worship. He cares about what happens week in and week out in local churches all over the world. Not because God is taking attendance but because God seeks worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Worshippers who will give Him the worship He deserves. Worshippers who will not compromise. Worshippers who will honor Him as holy. Worshippers who lay aside their wants, their needs, their desires, their preferences to come before the Lord in humility.

Readings for today: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Break Through

Readings for today: Zephaniah 1-3

One of things I love most about reading the Prophets of the Old Testament is how God breaks through. Amidst all the fire and judgment and doom and gloom, visions of glory always seem to appear. Like shoots of grass coming up through the sidewalk. Like an oasis in the desert. Like the sun’s rays piercing the cloud cover. It’s a reminder that while God’s anger may last for a moment, His favor lasts for a lifetime. Though weeping may tarry for the night, joy comes in the morning.

Perhaps this why I love Zephaniah 3:14-17 NET so much. “Shout for joy, Daughter Zion! Shout out, Israel! Be happy and boast with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has removed the judgment against you; he has turned back your enemy. Israel’s king, the Lord, is in your midst! You no longer need to fear disaster. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Don’t be afraid, Zion! Your hands must not be paralyzed from panic! The Lord your God is in your midst; he is a warrior who can deliver. He takes great delight in you; he renews you by his love; he shouts for joy over you.” The prophet spends the first two chapters and almost all of the third chapter laying out the most terrifying visions. Everything will be destroyed. All the plants. All the animals. Nothing will be left. Jerusalem. Gaza. Ashkelon. Ashdod. Ekron. All will be left in ruins. Nations as far away as Assyria and Ethiopia will not be able to escape. God will do this in order to purify the earth. Sanctify the nations. Right the wrongs. Overthrow tyrants. Bring an end to injustice and oppression. And He will leave in His wake a humbled people. A meek people. A people who seek their safety in the Lord alone. He will dwell with them. He will fight for them. He delights in them. And He will renew them with His love and shout for joy over them. What a beautiful picture of what happens when God breaks through!

Think back over the course of your own life. Where has God broken through for you? Where has He shown up in the most unexpected places? Where has He met you in the middle of your mess? In the hardest places in your life? I know I can think of many times where I was brought to the end of myself and beyond only to find God waiting there for me. Just the other day, someone asked me where my confidence comes from. They wanted to know how I can preach with confidence and lead with confidence and live with confidence. I told them about the hardest moments of my life, when it felt like my entire identity was stripped away, and how God showed up for me in those moments. Making a way where there seemed to be no way. Lifting me up out of the pit and setting my feet on a rock. Those moments taught me that only God is strong enough to hold me together when everything in my life is falling apart. Not only that, He actually delights in holding me together. He is actively fighting my battles for me. And He sings for joy over me.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35

Why it Matters - God’s Power

Readings for today: Nahum 1-3

I recently visited the British Museum. It was amazing. A person could spend days there. It houses one of the most extensive exhibits on the Assyrian Empire. As you walk through the different rooms, you see the enormous Winged Lions and Winged Bulls from the palaces of the kings. You see the reliefs depicting great victories over their enemies and hunts for lions. You see the Black Obelisk which documents military campaigns and tribute and contains the earliest mention in extra-biblical history of an Israelite. It’s a sobering reminder of the incredible power of the Assyrian Empire and the terror of their reign. At the same time, it’s also a reminder of how fleeting even the greatest empires are within the grand sweep of human history. The reality is the Assyrians only achieved and maintained their dominance for about three hundred years which is not much when compared to the Romans/Byzantines (over 1000 years), Zhou dynasty in China (almost 800 years), Pandyan Empire in India (1600 years), or the Ethiopian Empire (600+ years). And it certainly pales in comparison to the power of God.

“The Lord is a zealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and very angry. The Lord takes vengeance against His foes; He sustains His rage against His enemies. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished.” (Nahum 1:2-3 NET) A fundamental biblical principle is that God rules the nations. He is the one who allows empires to rise and fall. He is the one who raises up kings and emperors and brings them down. He is the one who establishes dynasties and brings them to an end. God used Assyria as His rod of judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel but then turned His wrath upon them to bring them down. “This is what the Lord says: Even though they are powerful - and what is more, even though their army is numerous - nevertheless, they will be destroyed and trickle away! Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. And now, I will break Assyria’s yoke bar from your neck; I will tear apart the shackles that are on you.” (Nahum 1:12-23 NET)

Although terrifying, the Lord’s wrath against the wicked gives us hope. It serves as an important reminder that evil will not have the last word. God will not allow unrighteousness and injustice and oppression and exploitation to stand. This is as true today as it was in the ancient world. “The Lord is good - indeed He is a fortress in time of distress, and He protects those who seek refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NET) He will protect His people. He will deliver and save all those who seek Him. All those who cling to Him. All those who look to Him. Though we may endure pain and suffering. Though we may go through all kinds of trials and tribulations. God’s promise is sure. There will come a day when every tear will be wiped away. Every hurt will be healed. Every wrong will be made right. God will bring an end to all the evil and wickedness on the earth.

Readings for tomorrow: Zephaniah 1-3

Why it Matters - Extremes

Readings for today: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33

Try to imagine living in Israel during the reigns of Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, and eventually Josiah. Granted, you’d have to be really old but think of the cultural shifts you would experience. Hezekiah promoting revival across the land. Purifying the Temple. Razing the high places. Destroying the idols. Re-instituting the true worship of the Living God. Manasseh going the opposite direction. Rebuilding the high places. Setting up new altars for Baal and Asherah poles and putting them in the Temple. Dedicating his son to Molech by “passing him through the fire.” Practicing divination and sorcery. Amon following in his footsteps. Then comes Josiah. As we will see, Josiah seeks God with his whole heart. He goes on a rampage, tearing down everything his father (Amon) and grandfather (Manasseh) built in an attempt to ward off the coming judgment of God. The people living under these successive reigns must have experienced political and social whiplash.

One sees the same dynamics in play in here in America as two very different, very distinct visions for the future of our nation emerge. One the one hand is the rise of Democratic Socialism - historically called Communism - and on the other hand is the rise of the America First movement - historically associated with the isolationism and protectionism of the early 20th century. As each party jostles for power, the average person living under their authority experiences chaos as laws are passed and rescinded. Policies are enacted and redacted. Jobs are created and eliminated. Meanwhile the foundations of our country are shaken. Our commitment to the fundamental principles on which our nation was founded are eroded. Corruption. Injustice. Unrighteousness. All run rampant. It’s a vicious cycle.

Is there a way to break the free fall we find ourselves in? Yes. We turn to God. We repent. We seek forgiveness. We humble ourselves before Him. Manasseh tasted the harsh judgment of God when he was led away to Babylon in chains. There he repented and turned back to God. “In his pain Manasseh asked the Lord his God for mercy and truly humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. When he prayed to the Lord, the Lord responded to him and answered favorably his cry for mercy.” (2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NET) As Christians, our hope is not in a particular political party or platform or system. Our hope is not in a particular person no matter how influential or successful or gifted. Our hope is in God. Only He can stop the massive pendulum swings we are experiencing and bring us back to a place of rest. A place of peace. A place of hope. A place of joy.

Readings for tomorrow: Nahum 1-3

Why it Matters - The End

Readings for today: Isaiah 64-66

I meet people all the time who are asking the question, “Is this all there is?” Is this world all there is? Is this life all there is? Are the 70, 80, 90 years of life all I get? And to what end? I spend my life working hard to provide for myself and my family. I achieve some measure of success. I do my best to stay active and healthy. I enjoy some wonderful experiences along the way. My wedding. The birth of my children and grandchildren. Certain milestones or achievements that hopefully leave the world a better place. But then what? Is all I have to look forward to in retirement a slow, steady decline? Or perhaps a tragic diagnosis that robs me of what little strength I have left? Will my mind start to fail along with my body? Will I be missed after I’m gone? These are real, honest questions asked by many thoughtful people I’ve had the privilege of walking beside as a pastor over the years.

Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t leave us guessing. He doesn’t leave us groping about in the dark for answers. He tells us exactly what’s going to happen. He lets us in on the end of the story. Listen to how Isaiah puts it, “For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore. But be happy and rejoice forevermore over what I am about to create! For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem to be a source of joy, and her people to be a source of happiness. Jerusalem will bring me joy, and my people will bring me happiness. The sound of weeping or cries of sorrow will never be heard in her again. Never again will one of her infants live just a few days or an old man die before his time. Indeed, no one will die before the age of a hundred, anyone who fails to reach the age of a hundred will be considered cursed. They will build houses and live in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build a house only to have another live in it, or plant a vineyard only to have another eat its fruit, for my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will enjoy to the fullest what they have produced. They will not work in vain, or give birth to children that will experience disaster. For the Lord will bless their children and their descendants. Before they even call out, I will respond; while they are still speaking, I will hear. A wolf and a lamb will graze together; a lion, like an ox, will eat straw, and a snake’s food will be dirt. They will no longer injure or destroy on my entire royal mountain,” says the Lord. (Isaiah‬ ‭65‬:‭17‬-‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬‬‬)

It’s a beautiful picture of the life to come. A life not lived in some vaporous, ephemeral, spiritual existence but one that is physical and tangible and as real as it gets. God is going to renew the heavens and the earth. The heavenly dimension where He lives and reigns will eventually absorb this world and all that is in it. Life as we know it will be transformed. All that is wrong about this world will be set right. Every injustice will be addressed. Every hurt will be healed. Every tear will be wiped away. Every grief will be comforted. Every pain erased. Death will be no more. Sin will be no more. Evil will be no more. God Himself will rule and reign over a renewed creation and a renewed people as He originally intended. This is the end of all things. This is the telos of all things. This is where all of history is headed.

So here’s our challenge…living with God’s end in mind. Living today for the world tomorrow. Trusting God for the future even as we labor in the present. Believing that every thought, every word, every action carries eternal weight because of what God has done and what God will do. Simply put, heaven is the answer to our deepest questions. Heaven is the satisfaction for our deepest longings. Heaven gives meaning and purpose to every moment of our lives. We are called to live as citizens of heaven in a world full of death. Our lives to be light in a world full of darkness.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33

Why it Matters - Justice

Readings for today: Isaiah 59-63

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of spending time with Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi. Dr. Mangalwadi is considered India’s foremost Christian philosopher as well as a leader in political, social, and educational reform movements. The author of over thirty books, he is a sought after speaker in churches and conferences and universities all over the world. He began his work among the rural poor in India, challenging the unjust caste system, and overcoming all kinds of hostility, persecution, and even imprisonment. He has continued to fight for justice and righteousness in the public square in his country as well as around the world. He was the featured speaker at India Christian Day which our church had the privilege of hosting this year and stayed over to speak at both our services on Sunday morning. He offered challenging words to all of us about the desperate need to raise up godly Christian leaders who would carry on the fight for justice and righteousness in our world. He didn’t pull any punches, calling out the church for her failure to be the light in the darkness. Most of all, he called us to again put the Scriptures at the center of our lives and our educational, political, and social systems. I know I walked away feeling deeply convicted.

Then I read Isaiah’s words this morning and my conviction only deepened. “The Lord watches and is displeased, for there is no justice. He sees there is no advocate; he is chocked that no one intervenes. So he takes matters into his own hands; his desire for justice drives him on. He wears his desire for justice like body armor, and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. He puts on the garments of vengeance and wears zeal like a robe.” (Isaiah 59:15b-17 NET) There is no justice. There is no advocate for justice. There is no one who intervenes on behalf of justice. Feels very familiar especially when I consider the corruption and deception and exploitation and oppression that is taking place all around us. Every human system seems rife with it. Politics. Social systems. Educational institutions. All of them have turned away from the truth. They no longer promote justice. They no longer produce righteousness. And their failures are taking their toll on society at large.

God is not blind to what is happening. He sees it. He knows it. And He is preparing His judgment. We have only one hope. We must turn to God. We must seek His face. We must be filled with His Spirit. We must fulfill the commission He has laid upon us to “encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners, to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor, the day when our God will seek vengeance, to console all who mourn, to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement.” (Isaiah 61:1b-3a NET) Yes, we attribute these words to Jesus because He quotes them in the Gospels but they apply all those who follow Him as well. As we live out our high and holy calling, as we pursue justice and righteousness in our communities, nation and around the world; Jesus is faithful. He will make us “oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.” He will use us to rebuild the “perpetual ruins” and restore the “desolate places.” We will be called “the Lord’s priests, servants of our God.” Why? Because the Lord loves justice and will repay us according to His faithfulness. This is His promise.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 64-66

Why it Matters - Tension

Readings for today: Isaiah 54-58

The great Reformer, Martin Luther, taught that we learn to hear God’s voice in three primary ways. Oratio - Prayer. Meditatio - Meditation. En Tentatio - Within the “tensions” of real life. It is this last one that resonates most often with my heart. Many years ago, I took a trip to Rwanda. A nation still recovering from a horrific genocide that resulted in the death of over 1.1 million people. Spurred on by a racist national government with a history of systematic abuse and oppression, many ordinary, everyday people turned into rabid killers. They murdered and raped friends. Family members. Neighbors. Co-workers. Things turned so evil that some pastors turned on their congregations. They turned their church buildings into charnel houses. They lured their parishioners into traps with the promise of safety. One pastor even bulldozed his own church down on the heads of those he served. These events provide a dark backdrop to these words from Isaiah this morning... 

“They lament, ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast? Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’ Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers. Look, your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls, and fistfights. Do not fast as you do today, trying to make your voice heard in heaven. Is this really the kind of fasting I want? Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord? No, this is the kind of fast I want. I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the Lord’s splendor will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah‬ ‭58‬:‭3‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬‬)

Rwanda was known for many years as a Christian nation. Some 90% of the population claimed to know Christ prior to the genocide. So how does one rationally explain how these same people ended carrying out one of the most gruesome pogroms in human history? Bishop John Rucyahana, a key figure in the forgiveness and reconciliation movement in the wake of the genocide, suggests it is because their Christianity only went skin deep. It hadn’t penetrated to the heart. Yes, they worshipped. Yes, they fasted and prayed. They had all the appearance of godliness but they did not love God with their hearts. Isaiah was facing a similar situation in his own time. The people of God worshipped, fasted, sang, made sacrifices. They appeared to follow God’s commands but in reality they were seeking their own pleasure. Their own power. The results were obvious to anyone who could see. Oppression of the weak. Violence. Dissention. Pride. All were hallmarks of Israel at the time.

In the face of such evil, God calls His people back to Himself. He calls them to lay aside their comforts, their safety and security, their wants and desires to serve a higher calling. A greater purpose. To humble themselves before the Lord and lay their lives and their future in His hands. Prior to returning to Rwanda, Bishop John was leading a flourishing ministry in Uganda. He was doing God’s work and many people were being saved. But God wanted Bishop John to leave his comfortable life and return to his own country. Bishop John reports hearing God telling him, “If you do not go there and present the healing gospel, then the fate of Rwanda will be in the hands of those who carry guns. If God is the remedy and the solution, whom shall He use, if you don’t allow Him to use you?” This powerful message from the Holy Spirit convicted Bishop John and he laid everything aside to return home. Isaiah calls his people to a similar return. To return back to God in faithfulness and service. To “remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke…to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people.” God promises when His people commit their ways to Him, their light shall break forth like the dawn and the glory of the Lord will be their rearguard.

So...here’s the challenge for us...do we believe these words are as much for us today as they were for the people of God in Isaiah’s time? Do we believe God has called us to place our lives in His service? To loose the bonds of wickedness in our own communities and nation? To give all that we have and all that we are to the higher calling of righteousness and justice and peace? To set aside our own agendas and let God guide and direct our steps so that we might serve the oppressed and hungry and helpless in our midst? This is what it means to follow Christ. There are no other options. There is no other way.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Consolation

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 50-53

“How do people make it without Jesus?” I get this question a lot especially in times of tragedy and great loss. Death comes suddenly for someone we love, leaving us no time to say goodbye. A famine hits or a drought sets in and we watch our children suffer from hunger and malnourishment. Conflict breaks out. War between tribes. Villages are destroyed. Cities are looted. Residents are internally displaced. It’s brutal. It’s hard. All hope seems lost. And yet, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances, people of faith find reserves of strength to draw on. They share what little they have with others. They find ways to serve even though they themselves barely have any strength. They experience joy even in the midst of grief and pain. All because of the presence of Jesus in their hearts and lives.

What set Israel apart from the other nations of the earth? The Lord. His abiding and faithful presence. The Lord persevered with Israel despite her sin, despite her rebellion, despite her rejection. And though He allowed her to suffer the consequences of her actions, He also was faithful to renew and restore. He met His people in the ruins of their lives. He visited them in the wilderness of their wandering. And He brought consolation. Comfort. Peace. “Certainly the Lord will console Zion; He will console all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the Garden of the Lord. Happiness and joy will be restored to her, thanksgiving and the sound of music.” (Isaiah 51:3 NET)

Those who love the Lord live with a deep assurance. A certainty that undergirds them. A firm foundation on which they can stand. Jesus Himself talked about it. He talked about building one’s life on the rock so when the storms come and the winds blow, your home can stand. Isaiah would agree. “Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return; they will enter Zion with a happy shout. Unending joy will crown them, happiness and joy will overwhelm them; grief and suffering will disappear. I, I am the One who consoles you. Why are you afraid of mortal men, of mere human beings who are as short-lived as grass?” (Isaiah 51:11-12 NET) Do you live with this assurance? In the midst of stressful and difficult times, do you find yourself turning to the Lord for wisdom? When you experience grief and loss, do you find yourself trusting the Lord to give you hope and restore your joy? When you endure suffering and pain, do you find yourself looking to the Lord for healing and strength?

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 54-58

Why it Matters - Reward

Readings for today: Isaiah 46-49, Psalms 135

I maintain a demanding pace in my life. I serve as the senior pastor of a wonderful, growing church that is literally changing the world. I chair the board of a mission organization that I deeply love that is planting thousands of churches in unreached villages all over the Horn of Africa. I teach evangelism and mission at a local seminary to brilliant students. I volunteer to serve my denomination in various capacities. I am the primary liaison between my church and several local immigrant fellowships in our local area. I love all of it. I feel called to all of it. I am humbled and blessed by my involvement in each of these areas. But it does take a lot of time and energy and by the time I get to vacation each summer, I am usually running on fumes.

This summer was no different. By the time I got to late June, I was dragging pretty hard. Perhaps it’s because I’ve recently taken on some new responsibilities with one of the immigrant fellowships I serve or perhaps it’s due to a denominational commitment I took on a couple of years ago which tackles a delicate subject. Maybe it’s just that I’m getting older? Whatever it may be, I was feeling more drained than normal. And when I feel drained, I am more susceptible to cynicism. I am more easily discouraged and frustrated. The work is often long and it’s hard sometimes to see the fruit so I can fall into the trap Isaiah did in Isaiah 49:4 NET. “But I thought, “I have worked in vain, I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.” Perhaps you know how that feels? Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar in your own life?

Thankfully, God is faithful. He has given me the opportunity to taste some of the fruit of my labors over the years. He has given me the chance to experience a bit of the reward of all my hard work in prayer and evangelism and discipleship. Without a doubt, I have seen miracles. I think of the people who have come to saving faith. I think of the many lives that have been changed. I think of the impact I’ve been able to have on marriages and families and communities. I think of the global connections I’ve been blessed to make and the opportunities we’ve had to partner with them over the years. It’s truly amazing and humbling and the fulfillment of God’s promise in Isaiah 49:3 NET, “You are my servant…through whom I will reveal My splendor.”

The Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction. We may plant. Others may water. But it is God alone who gives the increase and we may not always get a chance to see that increase in our lifetimes. Sometimes it may feel like our work is in vain and we are spending our strength for nothing and in futility. Don’t you believe it! God is at work even when we can’t see Him. He is moving even when we can’t feel Him. He is bringing about His will and His way according to His perfect timing. Trust in the Lord and He will vindicate you. Trust in the Lord and He will reward you. This is His promise and it is sure!

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 50-53

Why it Matters - The Absurdity of Idolatry

Readings for today: Isaiah 43-45, Psalms 80

“But is it true?” I often ask this question a lot when I meet with people who are not yet Christians. We talk about faith. We have deep discussions about the meaning of life. We discuss philosophy and religion and history and how humanity has interacted with the world. We compare and contrast belief systems and ethics. I don’t ever question their sincerity. Many of them are passionately devoted to their faith which I respect. They live lives I deeply admire. But eventually we do find ourselves coming to the fundamental question…is it true? Do the gods they believe in actually exist? Does their understanding of life and the universe and the world around us and even the human heart square with reality? This is where the rubber meets the road in our conversations and I find if I have done a good enough job listening and learning and loving them well, we end up in a sacred space where the Lord makes Himself known.

God is God. Without rival. Without peer. There simply is no other. And this God has made Himself known to His people. He has chosen them from before the foundations of the earth. He loves them and protects them. He guides them and directs them. When they go astray - as we all do - He lovingly disciplines them and corrects them. This is especially true when it comes to idolatry. God knows the poverty of our spiritual condition. He knows how tempting it is for us to worship gods of our own making. And He also knows how futile and empty and powerless such gods are. They are nothing. They have no form. They have no function. They have no authority or power. It doesn’t matter how sincere our devotion to them may be…they simply are not real. They do not exist. They are a lie. And that’s why God goes to such great lengths to make Himself known. He wants His people to know the truth. “I am the Lord and I have no peer.” “No god was formed before Me, and none will outlive Me.” “I, I am the Lord, there is no deliverer beside Me.” “I am the first and I am the last, there is no God but Me.” Over and over again, God makes it clear. He is God. There is no other. He is God. All other idols are worthless. He is God. He alone has the power to deliver and save.

Some place their trust in idols. Some place their trust in themselves. Some place their trust in their wealth and resources. Some place their trust in their influence and worldly power. All of it is an exercise in vanity. None of it has the power to deliver us from sin and death and the devil. None of it has the power to guarantee our eternity. Only God can provide the answers we are looking for. Only God can give us a sure and certain hope for the future. Only God can deliver on His promises. Because God is God and there is no other. Believe and trust and walk in this truth today.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 46-49, Psalms 135

Why it Matters - The Character of God

Readings for today: Isaiah 40-42, Psalms 46

Who is God? It’s the most important question we can possibly answer in this life. Everything rides on it. Who we become. How we live our lives. Where we will spend eternity. If we believe God is arbitrary and capricious, self-absorbed and power-hungry, untrustworthy and unworthy; then this will shape how we understand ourselves and our world. If we believe God is harsh and judgmental, condemning and shaming, rigid and inflexible; then this will shape how we see ourselves and interact with those around us. But if we believe God is glorious and true, good and gracious, loving and generous; then this too will have a transformative impact on our identity and our relationships.

The prophet Isaiah held a beautiful and glorious understanding of God. The great Comforter. The mighty Warrior. The good Shepherd. Isaiah’s God is without rival. He holds the waters of the world in the hollow of His hand. He measures and sets the boundaries for the skies. He weighs the soils of the earth. His mind is unsearchable. His wisdom unfathomable. His skill incomparable. Even if you gathered all the nations together and pooled all the resources of earth, it would be a drop in the bucket compared to God. God sits on earth’s horizon. God sees time and space spread out before Him. Human beings are like grasshoppers in His sight. No earthly power can assail Him. No earthly authority can stand before Him. He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. He is eternal. He is infinite. He is limitless.

And here’s the really good news. This same God has chosen to be with us. This same God has chosen to adopt us as His children. We get the privilege of being His servants. His instruments of blessing and righteousness in the world. And because God has chosen us, we don’t have to be afraid for He will sustain us. “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you. Yes, I help you. Yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!” Isaiah 41:10 NET) And what is our response to God’s gracious election? We choose Him in return and thereby receive the fulfillment of all He has promised. Those who wait for Him gain access to Him. Those who seek Him come to know Him. Those who look to Him find their strength renewed. “They rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.” (Isaiah 40:31 NET)

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 43-45, Psalms 80

Why it Matters - Death

Readings for today: Isaiah 38-39, 2 Kings 20:1-21, 2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Our church family has experienced a lot of loss recently. Loved ones who have gone on to be with the Lord. Beloved grandmothers and grandfathers. Husbands and wives. Mothers and fathers. Friends and co-workers and neighbors. Each of the people we’ve lost played many of these roles in the lives of those who will miss them. Hundreds gathered at their funerals to say goodbye and pay their respects. Thankfully, all of them were Christians. They believed in Jesus so we can have confidence that they are now with the Lord. They are not gone forever. They are not lost forever. We will be reunited with them either when we got to heaven ourselves after we pass or Jesus brings heaven to earth and we are transformed into glory.

Hezekiah didn’t have this hope. The Jewish people didn’t have a fully formed theology of the resurrection. They weren’t sure what happened after death. They knew God was good. They knew God was faithful. They knew God would keep His promises. But resurrection was not on their radar screen. It’s little wonder then that Hezekiah weeps bitterly when he finds out he has a terminal illness. It’s nor surprising that he doesn’t seem to care what happens after he dies as long as he goes peacefully to his grave. There is no awareness of an afterlife. No awareness of life after the grave. For him, it represents an end so he prays. He asks God for more time. More years. More opportunities to serve Him as he has done faithfully all his life. The Lord answers his prayers. Gives him fifteen more years and Hezekiah miraculously recovers.

Sadly, the seeds of destruction are sown in those last fifteen years. Envoys from a “faraway” country called Babylon - an empire just beginning to rise - show up to present Hezekiah with gifts. Hezekiah shows them all the wealth in all his storehouses. He holds nothing back. Presumably the envoys return home to tell their king about this wealth and less than a hundred years later, the Babylonian armies arrive at the gates of Jerusalem.

It’s a sobering reminder. A challenge to use the time we’ve been given well. To not take the time we’ve been given for granted. Especially if we’ve been given years beyond what we expected. I think of one individual mentioned above who fought stage four liver cancer for six years. Though she was in constant pain, she got to see the birth of her grandchildren and spend time with them. Though she was on borrowed time, she made the most of the time she’d been given and her family was blessed. What about you? What about me? What are we doing with the years we’ve been given?

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 40-42, Psalms 46

Why it Matters - Confidence

Readings for today: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9-37, 19, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalms 76

“Where is your confidence?” What a great question from our reading today! Where is your confidence? Is it in your strength? Your wisdom? Your wealth? Your influence? Is it in your allies? Those who may come to your aid in time of need? Is it in human plans and human schemes? Where is your confidence? This was the challenge put before the people of Judah by the messenger from Sennacharib. In the face of overwhelming odds. An army that dwarfed their own. A military machine that had swept through nation after nation. An unstoppable force that now lay encamped on their doorstep. Where was their confidence?

This was Hezekiah’s greatest test and he passed with flying colors. He forbid his people to respond. He didn’t argue or try to defend himself or try to buy his way out of danger. He simply took the words of the pagan king and laid them before the Lord. “Hezekiah took the letter from the messengers and read it. Then Hezekiah went up to the Lord’s temple and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah prayed before the Lord: “O Lord who commands armies, O God of Israel, who is enthroned on the cherubim! You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the sky and the earth. Pay attention, Lord, and hear! Open your eyes, Lord, and observe! Listen to this entire message Sennacherib sent and how he taunts the living God! It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the nations and their lands. They have burned the gods of the nations, for they are not really gods, but only the product of human hands manufactured from wood and stone. That is why the Assyrians could destroy them. Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power, so all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.” (Isaiah‬ ‭37‬:‭14‬-‭20‬ ‭NET‬‬) Note what Hezekiah does not do. He doesn’t ask God to preserve his kingship. He doesn’t ask God to preserve his life. He doesn’t ask God to protect His Temple or even the city of Jerusalem. Hezekiah understands this battle is not about him. It’s not even about his people or his nation. It’s about God. It’s about God’s glory and God’s honor. So he calls on God to glorify Himself by delivering His people. He calls on God to defend His honor by humbling Sennacharib. He proclaims His faith in God as the one who commands legions and rules the nations of the earth. It’s a powerful prayer and one God answers miraculously.

Where is your confidence? When the principalities and powers of this world seem to be closing in on you, where do you turn? When things aren’t going your way and you feel hurt or betrayed by those you once thought were friends, where do you go? When the pressure is on and your situation is intense and you feel overwhelmed, who do you trust? The Lord or yourself? How do you pray? Do you pray with a desire to see God honored and glorified or are you just looking to get out of the situation you find yourself in? Let me challenge you to take Hezekiah’s prayer to heart and use it as a model the next time you feel anxious or afraid.

Readings for tomorrow: No readings on Sunday

Why it Matters - Righteousness

Readings for today: Isaiah 31-35

One of the misconceptions I run into a lot is how too many people equate “righteousness” with “restrictions.” They see God’s plan as the quickest way to suck all the fun out of life. They perceive God to be a cosmic kill-joy. They believe the old canard that God sits on His throne and spends His days devising all kinds of ways to squash everyone’s joy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Righteousness is a blessing.

Listen to how the prophet Isaiah describes the impact of righteousness on a nation. Isaiah 32:1-2 NET, “Look, a king will promote fairness; officials will promote justice. Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from a rainstorm; like streams of water in a dry region and like the shade of a large cliff in a parched land.” That sounds pretty good, right? Especially if you are living in the desert regions of the Middle East? Keep reading. Isaiah 32:17–18 NET, “Fairness will produce peace and result in lasting security. My people will live in peaceful settlements, in secure homes, and in safe, quiet places.” Again, doesn’t that sound wonderful? Isn’t that what we all hope for in our lives? Peace? Quietness? Trust forever? Don’t you want to dwell in a peaceful habitation? Safe and secure? A few years ago, I was in northern Ethiopia where they were recovering from a civil war and I can tell you things like safety and security and peace were at the top of their list. Let me give you one more. Isaiah 33:5-6 NET, “The Lord is exalted, indeed, he lives in heaven; he fills Zion with justice and fairness. He is your constant source of stability; he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; he gives all this to those who fear him.” What a beautiful picture of what God has in store for those who fear Him, those who follow Him, those who worship Him. He is the source of all fairness and righteousness and justice in the world. And if one wants to experience the blessings of righteousness, one must seek to dwell in God’s presence for they are a byproduct of a life-giving relationship with Him.

So, have you changed your mind about righteousness? Do you find yourself longing for the more righteous life? Do you want the blessings of righteousness in your own life or community or nation? Don’t fall for the enemy’s lies. Don’t believe his falsehoods. Don’t let him deceive you. Your Heavenly Father knows what’s best for you. Your Heavenly Father loves you. Your Heavenly Father has good gifts He wants to give you. Trust Him. Believe Him. Submit to Him. Follow Him. Let justice flow into your life and righteousness be an ever-running stream in your soul.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9-37, 19, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalms 76

Why it Matters - Fruitfulness

Readings for today: Isaiah 27-30

“I am the vine and you are the branches.” That’s the first thought that came to mind when I read our passage for today. Take a step back and one can easily see how Jesus draws on the imagery of the Old Testament when He teaches His disciples. He’s not just making it up. He’s taking them back to their history. Back to the sacred words of the prophets. Infusing new and fresh meaning in ancient words of revelation.

In the midst of all the fire and judgment, Isaiah looks forward to a day when God will plant a fine vineyard. He will tend it Himself, refusing to trust the work to another. He will watch over it, refusing to trust her safety to another. He will protect it and provide for it. He will cultivate it and nurture it. Even when weeds spring up, God will simply pull them up and burn them so the vine stays healthy and strong. This vine will cling to God. She will find her life in God. She will hold onto God all her days.

“When that time comes, sing about a delightful vineyard! I, the Lord, protect it; I water it regularly. I guard it night and day, so no one can harm it. I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on fire, unless they became my subjects and made peace with me; let them make peace with me. The time is coming when Jacob will take root; Israel will blossom and grow branches. The produce will fill the surface of the world.” (Isaiah‬ ‭27‬:‭2‬-‭6‬ ‭NET‬‬‬)

Why does Isaiah use the image of a vineyard? And why will Jesus lift this image up when He could have chosen so many others? I think it has to do with the last sentence, verse six from the above passage. Vineyards are planted for one purpose…to produce fruit. They are cultivated to produce the finest of grapes which, in turn, produces the finest of wines. The goal of the vineyard is not to keep the fruit to itself. The goal of the owner of the vineyard is not to keep all the grapes to himself. No, the goal is to fill the world with what the vineyard produces. Fill the earth with beautiful grapes and fine wines so that all might taste and see how good is the vineyard of God. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” In other words, if you cling to Me, if you find your whole life in Me, if you hold onto Me alone for a good and whole life; you will bear much fruit. You will fill your home, your neighborhood, your place of work, your school, your city, your nation, and even the world with your fruit.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 31-35

Why it Matters - Hope

Readings for today: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalms 48

All it takes is one. One godly person to turn around the fortunes of a family or a community or a nation. One godly person who is dedicates him or herself to the Lord. Who seeks God’s face. Who walks in God’s ways. Who waits on the Lord continually and faithfully. It doesn’t take a perfect person. There are no such people. But a godly person. A person who has a heart after God. A person who is unwilling to compromise with sin. A person who is unwilling to tolerate idolatry. A person who understands their own desperate need for grace. I have seen such people transform a family system. A mother who prays earnestly for her unbelieving children. A father who leads his family to the Lord. A pastor who initiates revitalization and renewal in the heart of a congregation. A leader who brings unity to a formerly divided community or nation.

Hezekiah was such a man. The polar opposite of his father. Faithful in all his ways. “He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done.” (2 Kings 18:3 NET) He reversed all the corrupt changes Ahaz had made. He rededicated the Temple. He eliminated the high places. He smashed the idols of Baal and Asherah. He even demolished the bronze serpent Moses had made in the wilderness because it had become an idol to the people of Israel. He also reinstituted true worship. He put all the prescribed worship elements back in their rightful place. He performed all the right sacrifices. He celebrated Passover. He consecrated the priests and Levites. He called the people of Israel and Judah to repentance. And though many mocked and ridiculed him, God blessed his courage and faithfulness. People from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves to join in the feast. God also gave Hezekiah great victories on the battlefield. Increased his influence and stature among the nations. And used his example to inspire the people who, in turn, gave generously and sacrificially and then returned home and destroyed the high places and idols in their own communities.

This is what we call revival. It’s not just an emotional event. It’s not just a mountaintop experience. True revival results in repentance. A change of heart. A change of direction. A change in behavior. A change in how we live. Hezekiah experienced his own personal revival and then used his influence and position and power to lead a revival for the nation. You and I may not be kings or queens but we do have influence. We do have position. We do have some power over our own lives and the lives of those entrusted to our care. Pray for revival in your own heart. Ask God to lead you to repentance so you, in turn, might lead others to repent as well. You never know what kind of ripple effect the Spirit will create when one person takes their stand on the gospel.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 27-30

Why it Matters - Restoration

Readings for today: Isaiah 23-26

God loves the world He has made. He loves everything about it. He loves everything within it. He spoke it into existence and shaped and formed and fashioned it with His own hands. God’s desire is to see the earth flourish. To see the world become what He designed it to be. He wants to see all the creatures, great and small, within it live lives of blessing and contentment and peace. This is God’s will. It has been His will from the beginning. It remains His will today. And it will be His will until the end of time. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and His plans for the world have not changed, will not change, and do not change.

However, the creature God made in His own image. The creature God set up to care for and nurture and work and keep the earth has fallen. Humanity abandoned her original purpose. Rejected her original mandate to “be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and exercise dominion” over all God has made. As a result, creation suffers. The world is in turmoil. The Earth herself is cursed. Imagine you come home to your house one day only to find it full of black mold. Black mold everywhere. On every surface. Behind every wall. In every corner. The place would be toxic. Impossible to live in. There is no way to redeem it. No way to cleanse it. No way to get rid of all the corruption. What would you do? You would scrape the house. You would call in bulldozers. Earthmovers to clear the ground. And then you would rebuild. Essentially this is what God is doing in our reading today. He judges the earth not to destroy it but to cleanse it. Not to eradicate it but to prepare it for His great restoration work.

The earth, as it stands, cannot be redeemed. The corruption runs too deep. The rot goes all the way to the core. So God does what any good and faithful homeowner would do. He scrapes it. He scours it. He purifies and cleanses it with fire and judgment. “Look, the Lord is ready to devastate the earth and leave it in ruins; he will mar its surface and scatter its inhabitants. Everyone will suffer – the priest as well as the people, the master as well as the servant, the elegant lady as well as the female attendant, the seller as well as the buyer, the borrower as well as the lender, the creditor as well as the debtor. The earth will be completely devastated and thoroughly ransacked. For the Lord has decreed this judgment.” (Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NET‬‬) This is not an easy process. It will involve a lot of pain and suffering. A lot of tearing down in order to build up. “The earth dries up and withers, the world shrivels up and withers; the prominent people of the earth fade away. The earth is defiled by its inhabitants, for they have violated laws, disregarded the regulation, and broken the permanent treaty. So a treaty curse devours the earth; its inhabitants pay for their guilt. This is why the inhabitants of the earth disappear, and are reduced to just a handful of people.” (Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NET‬‬) God will not stop until His cleansing work is complete. He will not relent until sin has been eradicated once and for all. He will purify every nook and cranny, every crack and corner. He will ascend to the heights and plunge to the depths. No stone will be left unturned. No square inch of creation will escape His notice. The result will be complete devastation as God prepares His world for what’s to come. “The earth is broken in pieces, the earth is ripped to shreds, the earth shakes violently. The earth will stagger around like a drunk; it will sway back and forth like a hut in a windstorm. Its sin will weigh it down, and it will fall and never get up again.” (Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NET‬‬)

And what is the goal of all this terrifying work? The restoration and renewal of worship. All of creation joining together in song. The mountains and oceans. The rocks and trees and flowers. The stars and planets and other heavenly bodies. Every creature finding her voice. The fish in the sea. The birds in the air. The animals that walk the earth. Even in the insects that crawl on the earth. And humanity will be God’s great conductor. God’s great worship leader. Drawing all the different melodies into one resounding voice. “They lift their voices and shout joyfully; they praise the majesty of the Lord in the west. So in the east extol the Lord, along the seacoasts extol the fame of the Lord God of Israel. From the ends of the earth we hear songs – the Just One is majestic.” (Isaiah‬ ‭24‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NET‬‬‬‬)

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalms 48

Why it Matters - Prophecy

Readings for today: Isaiah 18-22

There are a lot of people who claim to be prophets these days. They claim to speak for God. They claim to know the future. They claim to have seen visions and dreams. Almost all of it is utter nonsense. How do I know? Because their prophecies never come true. The true test of a prophet, according to the Bible, is if their predictions actually come to pass. “How can we tell that a message is not from the Lord?’ – whenever a prophet speaks in my name and the prediction is not fulfilled, then I have not spoken it; the prophet has presumed to speak it, so you need not fear him.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NET‬‬) Sadly, I have seen far too many Christians fall for false prophets. They trust their words. They make decisions on what the person predicts. They buy their books and trinkets and whatever else the supposed prophet may be selling. It’s tragic. It’s an offense to God. It’s why God assigns the death penalty for false prophesy. He hates what they do to His people.

Isaiah is a true prophet of God. Everything he predicts in these passages comes to pass. Cush - think modern day Ethiopia and Sudan - ruled Egypt for a time and sought allies against Assyria. This happened during the reign of Hezekiah. Isaiah’s warning not to ally with Cush bore itself out when Assyria ultimately defeated the Egyptian/Cushite forces. Egypt experienced all kinds of civil unrest during the Late Period of her empire. Assyrian kings conquered Egypt in the seventh century BC and she later came under Persian, Greek, and Roman rule. Egypt and Cush were led away as captives when the Assyrians defeated their forces at Ashdod. Babylon fell to the Persians in 539BC. Edom steadily declined and eventually disappeared as a nation. The tribes of Arabia were crushed by the Assyrians as well. Jerusalem would eventually fall to Babylon, Shebna would be demoted, and Eliakim would assume higher office. Everything he says comes to pass. And that brings me to the most important prophesy from this section. A glorious vision of the future God has for the world. One that looks forward in anticipation to the end of days. “At that time there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will visit Egypt, and the Egyptians will visit Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. At that time Israel will be the third member of the group, along with Egypt and Assyria, and will be a recipient of blessing in the earth. The Lord who commands armies will pronounce a blessing over the earth, saying, “Blessed be my people, Egypt, and the work of my hands, Assyria, and my special possession, Israel!” (Isaiah‬ ‭19‬:‭23‬-‭25‬ ‭NET‬‬)

It’s incredible. God expanding His reach. God extending an invitation to the nations of the earth, including the former enemies of His chosen people, to worship Him. At that time, He will call Egypt “my people” and Assyria “the work of my hands” alongside Israel “my chosen possession.” It’s a foretaste of what John will later write about in Revelation 7 when he sees every tribe, tongue, and nation worshipping before the throne of God. It’s a vision we are called as God’s people to live out in our own day and time. Welcoming all who would come to worship with open arms. Regardless of ethnicity. Regardless of economic status. Regardless of cultural difference. Regardless of life experience. God has thrown open the doors of His house. His arms are wide enough to embrace all who would come to Him. He will not turn away any who would seek Him with all their heart.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 23-26

Why it Matters - God’s Authority

Readings for today: Isaiah 13-17

It’s easy to look around the world today and despair. We wake up everyday and are inundated with reports through social media and other traditional media outlets. Wars between nations. Tribal violence. Ethnic cleansing. Corrupt governments perpetuating cycles and systems of exploitation, injustice, and oppression. Preventable famine and starvation. Lack of access to clean water and nutritious food. Limited opportunities for education. Entire regions with no healthcare. The largest human migration in history as refugees cross borders and others are internally displaced. It’s heartbreaking and overwhelming and easy to feel hopeless in the face of it all.

I imagine the prophet Isaiah may have felt the same way. He looked around his world and saw mighty empires like Assyria and Babylon who seemed unstoppable. Their war machines trampling everyone in their path. Closer to home, two of Israel’s ancient enemies - Philistia and Moab - continued to create all kinds of chaos. Their constant attacks causing all kinds of suffering and pain. But then Isaiah does a curious thing. One we would do well to learn from. He lifts his eyes. Above all the tumult and tribulation of our world. He places his faith in God who reigns in absolute authority over all He has made. And when he looks to God, what does he see? Righteous judgment. God holding the nations accountable. God exercising His power to bring them to heel. God will not let His people suffer forever. God will not let the oppression of His people stand. He will not allow the empires of this world to have the final word. Indeed, God says to Isaiah, “I will punish the world for its evil, and wicked people for their sin. I will put an end to the pride of the insolent, I will bring down the arrogance of tyrants…I will shake the heavens, and the earth will shake loose from its foundation, because of the fury of the Lord who commands armies, in the day He vents His raging anger.” (Isaiah 13:11, 13 NET)

I think of some of the places I’ve been where tyrants rule with an iron fist. They put down any opposition. They pay off their family and friends. They rob their nations blind while so many suffer and die. It’s hard to see how such things end but then I look to God. I turn my eyes to the one who will judge the nations. I know their end is near and I know everything I am doing to help alleviate the pain they cause is not in vain. I think about my own country. I think about how many of our political leaders act in corrupt ways, taking advantage of our system to enrich themselves. Everything seems stacked against the ordinary person in favor of the privileged and connected and elite. But then I look to God. I turn my own eyes to the one before whom every single person must appear to give an account. I know their end is near and I know everything I do - from voting to serving the least resourced in our communities to advocating for justice to doing all I can to make things safer and better for all - is not in vain. God sees all. God knows all. And God will judge all and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Rationalization

Readings for today: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28

I once heard it said that a human being’s ability to sin is only exceeded by that human’s ability to rationalize away their sin. And thirty years of ministry has provided plenty of evidence to back up that statement. According to Jonathan Haidt, in his book, The Righteous Mind, human beings are more “rationalizing creatures” than they are “rational creatures.” He uses the image of an elephant and a rider to make his point. The elephant represents our intuitive, emotional, reactive mind while the rider represents our conscious, rational, reasoning mind. While the rider appears to be “in control” much of the time, the reality is the elephant decides for itself where it wants to go and there’s really nothing the rider can do about it except justify the course.

Ahaz comes from godly stock. His grandfather, Uzziah, was one of the great kings of Israel and Jotham, his father, reigned well for sixteen years. What caused Ahaz to go astray? Why did Ahaz make the terrible choices he made? Passing his son through the fire? Offering sacrifices and burning incense at the high places? Carving graven images of the Baals? Making an alliance with Assyria? Adopting the worship practices of the Assyrians after a trip to Damascus? Remodeling the Temple according to his own design? The Bible doesn’t tell us but it does offer an indictment of his reign. “He did not do what pleased the Lord his God, in contrast to his ancestor David. He followed in the footsteps of the kings of Israel.” (2 Kings 16:2b-3a NET) So the Lord handed him over to his enemies. He lost battles to the Syrians, Edomites, and the northern kingdom of Israel. The writer of 2 Chronicles even goes as far as to say, “The Lord humiliated Judah because of King Ahaz…for he encouraged Judah to sin and was very unfaithful to the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 28:19 NET) And it appears the worse things got, the more Ahaz turned away.

I have met people just like Ahaz. No matter how bad things get and no matter how harsh the consequences of the terrible decisions they make, they refuse to repent. They refuse to return to Jesus. They rationalize away their sin by blame-shifting or by claiming they have no choice or that it’s “just the way I am.” And things only get worse. I have seen this dynamic play out in my own life and in the lives of those I love. Thankfully, at some point, most of us hit rock bottom. We come face to face with reality and all our rationalizations coming crashing down around us. It’s there that God meets us. He meets us and, if we will turn to Him, He lifts us out of the pit and miry clay and gives us a new song to sing. The song of salvation.

Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 13-17