Readings for today: Isaiah 12-14, 2 Corinthians 13:1-13, Psalms 57, Proverbs 23:9-11
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?” (Isaiah 14:12-17)
Pride is the deadliest of sins. Pride makes us think we are gods. The king of Babylon rose up against the people of God. He conquered the known world. He reigned supreme over all the earth. His power was unmatched. His wealth unparalleled. His held life and death in his hands. But in his pride, he aspired for more. He aspired to be a god. He demanded his people worship him. He demanded they treat him like a god. He attempted to set his throne on high. On the mountains where the gods dwelled far to the north. He wanted to make himself like the Most High. But God would not be mocked. God will tolerate no rivals. He will not share his glory with another. So he brings judgment on Babylon. He brings the king down to Sheol. He makes an example of him before the nations of the earth. The one who once made the earth to tremble and the kingdoms to quake is brought low. His power is nothing before the bared might of the Lord Almighty.
This passage also holds a deeper meaning for those who have the eyes to see. Traditionally, Christians have read these words as prophecy about the inevitable defeat of Satan. You may be familiar with the King James Version which translates verse 12 like this, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” As believers in Jesus Christ, we recognize that behind every earthly tyrant stands a heavenly being of immense evil. He is the power behind every throne. He is the wellspring of every injustice. He is the cause of all suffering and pain. He is constantly at work, trying his best to tear down all things godly and good. It is tempting at times to believe he is winning. It is daunting at times when we see his handiwork on display. Sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we even begin to believe the lie that he is as powerful as God Himself.
This is where the words of Isaiah become so important. God will judge the kings and rulers and tyrants of this earth. No matter how powerful they become, he will bring them low. They will not escape God’s justice. In the same way, God has judged the devil. He has cast Lucifer out of heaven. He has taken all the glory from the Morning Star. Colossians 2 declares that on the cross, Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them…” He tore down every high thing that set itself up against the knowledge of God. He removed every foothold of the devil. He destroyed the tempter’s power. He won the victory over sin and death and evil in the world. No longer are we slaves to fear. No longer are we slaves to sin. No longer are we at the mercy of Satan. Christ has kicked down the gates of hell and set the captives free!
Do you believe this? Do you believe you have been set free? Do you believe sin no longer has a hold on you? The devil no longer holds any power over you? Do you believe death has been defeated? Do you believe the grave is not the end? Do you believe your life is hid with Christ in glory? Do you believe He holds you even now in His strong and faithful hands? Do you believe Christ is praying for you always before the throne of God above? Do you believe? And do you live in light of this belief?
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 15-18, Galatians 1, Psalms 58, Proverbs 23:12