June 11
DebDay 89: Social Commentary
Reading Isaiah 59 this morning felt like reading a news feed.
After stating that "the Lord's hand is not too short to reach down, nor His ear unable to hear and respond," it then goes into some rather harsh commentary.
Right from the get-go the thought is "Your iniquities have made a separation between you and God."
Cruising through the chapter, observations follow (with my own thoughts in parenthesis):
Your hands are "defiled with blood" (the euphoria we feel when some person or institution whose opinion we oppose ends up looking foolish, bad, illegal.)
Speaking lies is common (because we each limit ourselves to a singular preferred echo chamber.)
Everyone is unreasonably prone to take others to court (the court of public opinion, where we get to choose the jurors.)
Everyone "runs to evil" (because we're much quicker to engorge ourselves with the news each day than we are to feed on God's Word.)
No peace. No justice.
Isaiah 59:9 describes the result. "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."
Then verse 14 says, "Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter." (I wish Facebook would let me underline that!)
And then, verse 15, tells us this: "Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey." If you disagree with the dominate cultural narrative/s, you'll get eaten.
So who is it God is talking to?
His own people. This is God's response to their own culture; their own society. God's people had forgotten (and even rejected) that they were God's chosen and beloved people. They were being judged. And God has now told them why.
They have rejected God, and it's evidenced in how they've treated each other. Like prey. Like something to conquer and devour.
When quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, Jesus added this (in Mark 12:31)..."And the second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Those very words may be the single most difficult command the Church of Jesus is called to obey right now. And none of us are inclined to do so.
Do you sense our culture is crying out for peace? For justice?
Do you sense Jesus would have peace and justice be initiated by and through His Church; the called out, counter-cultural people of God?
Do you sense hope for our society may require repentance and change in God's people, us included?
-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau
