I Cannot Tell It All. Isaiah 53-54; Revelation 21

May the mumbling commence!

I am thankful.  I am thankful for what Jesus has done for me… for you… for us.  It was prophesied hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah.  Read most of Isaiah chapter fifty-three:

My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, sprouting from a root in dry and sterile ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.  He was despised and rejected – a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. 

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!  But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!  All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. 

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.  From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins – that he was suffering their punishment?  He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave. 

But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's plan will prosper in his hands.  When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.  I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners. (Verses 2-12)

It’s difficult not to see the life of Jesus in this passage.  Jesus was despised because he did not bring the redemption that was desired – a political and military Messiah.  God had bigger fish to fry than the Romans.  God was defeating our sins.  God was taking our punishment. 

Because of this, death is dead.  Because of this, we have peace.  Because of this, we are healed.  Alleluia!  Praise the Lord.  Read from Revelation chapter twenty-one:

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever." (Verses 3-4)

Rest in peace, old life.  Rest in peace, old ways.  Celebrate new life without sorrow or pain or tears.  Kiss evil good bye.

Now that’s Good News!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Resident Aliens. Isaiah 51-52; Revelation 20

May the mumbling commence!

Are you at home where you are living?  Or are you a resident alien looking forward to the final completion of the kingdom of God?  As Christians, we are called to be resident aliens.  How are we to be resident aliens in the place where we are?  Let’s get some clues from Isaiah chapter fifty-two:

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: "Long ago my people went to live as resident foreigners in Egypt. Now they have been oppressed without cause by Assyria.  And now, what is this?" asks the Lord. "Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is being blasphemed all day long.  But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them." 

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!  The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord bringing his people home to Jerusalem.  Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem.  The Lord will demonstrate his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. 

Go now, leave your bonds and slavery. Put Babylon behind you, with everything it represents, for it is unclean to you. You are the Lord's holy people. Purify yourselves, you who carry home the vessels of the Lord.  You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you, and the God of Israel will protect you from behind. (Verses 4-12)

Yes, it’s clear.  We are resident aliens here on earth.  If we act as aliens to this world and live by the Spirit’s guidance, we will see enslavement and persecution… sooner or later.  And the people of the world will shout in exaltation and celebrate our seeming demise.

But the Lord will prevail.  To fight against the Lord is the definition of futility.  Bring that good news of God’s reign and have beautiful feet.

Peace and salvation are in the Lord’s hands.  God gives them freely to anyone who comes.  Shout it out.  Sing it joyfully.  Comfort is ours through the Lord.  We are redeemed.  We are saved.  Halleluiah!

How do we respond?  How do we act as resident aliens?  Leave the bonds of slavery behind… slavery to hoarding… slavery to fame… slavery to fortune… slavery to self-gratification.  Leave these bonds behind and those like them.  They are the epitome of Babylon wherever you live.

Make a clean break, for you are holy… set apart for God’s work.  Purify yourselves, and go boldly to the Lord’s path and the Lord’s work.  Do not be afraid.  God not only leads us but He will be our rear guard.  We have nothing to fear if we seek the Lord’s will for our lives.  The alternative is grim.  Read from the end of Revelation chapter twenty:

And I saw a great white throne, and I saw the one who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.  I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to the things written in the books, according to what they had done.  The sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the grave gave up the dead in them. They were all judged according to their deeds.  And death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death – the lake of fire.  And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (Verses 11-15)

Judgment according to deeds… it’s a scary thought.  Thank God for the work of Jesus!  Without Jesus, we would be confined to the lake of fire and suffer from separation from the Lord God… to whom we were created to be in right relationship with. 

What horror!  May we choose well. 

Enough mumbling for now…  Peace Out

More Than That. Isaiah 49-50; Revelation 19

May the mumbling commence!

As God’s people, we are called to be a light to all the world.  Yes, we are to be cemented together by our love for each other.  Our love for each other will show the world that we are followers of Christ.  But that love alone is NOT enough.  We are meant for greater things than that.  Read from the beginning of Isaiah chapter forty-nine:

Listen to me, all of you in far-off lands! The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.  He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. 

He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory." 

I replied, "But my work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose at all. Yet I leave it all in the Lord's hand; I will trust God for my reward." 

And now the Lord speaks – he who formed me in my mother's womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring his people of Israel back to him. The Lord has honored me, and my God has given me strength.  He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." 

The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by a nation, to the one who is the servant of rulers: "Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will bow low because the Lord has chosen you. He, the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel, chooses you." (Verses 1-7)

Do not doubt it.  You are chosen.  We are chosen.

And our task is huge.  Help to bring the salvation of the Lord to all people all over the earth.  But with that commission comes the strength that the Lord provides.  The Lord strengthens us and equips us for godly work.

What joy to be chosen by the Lord Jesus!  Let us worship the Lord alone – alongside all who serve God.  Read from Revelation chapter nineteen:

Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a huge crowd, or the roar of mighty ocean waves, or the crash of loud thunder: "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.  Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.  She is permitted to wear the finest white linen." (Fine linen represents the good deeds done by the people of God.) 

And the angel said, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb." And he added, "These are true words that come from God." 

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, "No, don't worship me. For I am a servant of God, just like you and other brothers and sisters who testify of their faith in Jesus. Worship God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus." (Verses 6-10)

We are not to worship our fellow servants – even the pastors and angels in our midst.  God alone deserves worship… and a clear witness to the powerful agent of change – Jesus the Christ.  Alleluia!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

No God; No Peace. Isaiah 44-48

May the mumbling commence!

Do you want to know the path to true peace?  Listen to God.  It’s that simple.  Listen to God and follow the Lord Jesus.  It’s that simple and that terribly difficult.  Read from Isaiah chapter forty-eight:

And now the Sovereign Lord and his Spirit have sent me with this message: 

"The Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says:

I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is good

and leads you along the paths you should follow. 

Oh, that you had listened to my commands!

Then you would have had peace

flowing like a gentle river

and righteousness rolling like waves. 

Then you would have become

as numerous as the sands along the seashore –

too many to count!

There would have been no need for your destruction." 

Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon and the Babylonians, singing as you go! Shout to the ends of the earth that the Lord has redeemed his servants, the people of Israel.  They were not thirsty when he led them through the desert. He divided the rock, and water gushed out for them to drink. (Verses 16-21)

Oh, that they would listen to the Lord.  Oh, that we would listen to the Lord.  Oh, that I would listen to the Lord.

That’s the path to peace and righteousness.  That’s the path to true prosperity… NOT the weak imitation of prosperity that our world gives us.

So, let’s listen.  Let’s obey.  Be free from the hindrances of society.  Leave them behind.

And know joy.  Sing and shout praises to the Lord.  Remember what the Lord God has done for you and your people.

Know God; know peace.

Ignore God; receive no peace.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Peace & Justice! Isaiah 42-43; Revelation 18

May the mumbling commence!

Peace and justice are tied together.  We cannot have one without the other.  Read from Isaiah chapter forty-two:

"Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations.  He will be gentle – he will not shout or raise his voice in public.  He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope. He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged.  He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction." 

God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath and life to everyone in all the world. And it is he who says, "I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will guard and support you, for I have given you to my people as the personal confirmation of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide all nations to me.  You will open the eyes of the blind and free the captives from prison. You will release those who sit in dark dungeons.” (Verses 1-7)

God’s Righteous One, Jesus, will reveal justice in a gentle way.  Full justice will be paid as truth and righteousness prevail.  Let’s wait on the Lord for these pieces to peace.

But waiting is NOT passive.  God has called His people to demonstrate the righteousness of the Lord.  God has called us to be a light to all the world.  We are to open the eyes of the blind.  We are to open the prisons and free the captives.

Free our hearts and minds and souls.  Open our eyes and unstop our ears so that we might be your instruments of righteousness in the world, O God.  This is our prayer.

May the pleasures of this world not distract us from the task You have given us.  Read from Revelation chapter eighteen:

“She has lived in luxury and pleasure, so match it now with torments and sorrows. She boasts, 'I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow. I will not experience sorrow.'  Therefore, the sorrows of death and mourning and famine will overtake her in a single day. She will be utterly consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty." 

And the rulers of the world who took part in her immoral acts and enjoyed her great luxury will mourn for her as they see the smoke rising from her charred remains.  They will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will cry out, "How terrible, how terrible for Babylon, that great city! In one single moment God's judgment came on her." (Verses 7-10)

Let it not be said that there is no luxury tax.  Luxury tax is utter destruction and torment.  Our task is not to accumulate.  Our task is to right relationships.  Our task is to share.  Our task is to give to people and allow people to support us… to receive… to be vulnerable.

May we embrace our God-given task as God’s people!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Nothing Compares. Isaiah 40-41; Revelation 17

May the mumbling commence!

Nothing compare to our God.  Though it may be bittersweet to be a part of the USA, I know that the Lord is greater than all the greatest kingdoms and nations of the world combined.  “In God We Trust” is more than just something to be written on our currency.  Read from Isaiah chapter forty:

Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and the hills?  Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor?  Has the Lord ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best?  No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all.  All Lebanon's forests do not contain sufficient fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him. All Lebanon's sacrificial animals would not make an offering worthy of our God.  The nations of the world are as nothing to him. In his eyes they are less than nothing – mere emptiness and froth. 

To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him?  Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?  Or is a poor person's wooden idol better? Can God be compared to an idol that must be placed on a stand so it won't fall down? 

Have you never heard or understood? Are you deaf to the words of God – the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?  It is God who sits above the circle of the earth. The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers! He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.  He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing.  They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and their work withers. The wind carries them off like straw. (Verses 12-24)

Idols are useless.  They can do nothing.  God lives and speaks and does.  No comparison!

Nations are as nothing in comparison to the Lord – a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales.  Nations are emptiness and froth.  Here today and gone tomorrow. 

Only God is reliable.  It’s that simple.  Rely on God.

Just look at the futility of all nations on the earth combining to fight against the Lord!  They cannot stand up to the power of the Lamb.  Read from Revelation chapter seventeen:

"And now understand this: The seven heads of the beast represent the seven hills of the city where this woman rules. They also represent seven kings.  Five kings have already fallen, the sixth now reigns, and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief.  The scarlet beast that was alive and then died is the eighth king. He is like the other seven, and he, too, will go to his doom.  His ten horns are ten kings who have not yet risen to power; they will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment to reign with the beast.  They will all agree to give their power and authority to him.  Together they will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones." (Verses 9-14)

It’s no contest.  There is no one or nothing like our Lord God and the Lamb.  There is no greater power than in the sacrifice of love in the perfect Lamb, Jesus.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Share What We Most Hold Dear. Isaiah 38-39; Revelation 16

May the mumbling commence!

What do we most hold dear?  What are we most apt to share with other people?  Do we remember what the Lord had done for us?  King Hezekiah of Judah had issues with these questions.  Read  a verse from Isaiah chapter thirty-eight:

Think of it—

the Lord has healed me!

I will sing his praises with instruments

every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord. (Verse 20)

Hezekiah was singing the praises of the Lord after his illness disappeared.  The king of Babylon sent people to help Hezekiah celebrate his recovery.  What filled Hezekiah’s mouth with praise when these visitors came?  Read from Isaiah chapter thirty-nine:

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did those men want? Where were they from?"

Hezekiah replied, "They came from the distant land of Babylon." 

"What did they see in your palace?" asked Isaiah.

"They saw everything," Hezekiah replied. "I showed them everything I own – all my treasures." 

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to this message from the Lord Almighty:  The time is coming when everything you have – all the treasures stored up by your ancestors – will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord.  Some of your own descendants will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king." 

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the Lord is good." But the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime." (Verses 3-8)

We can talk about the “me” generation (or is it generations) that surround us.  King Hezekiah was no different.  What he had was his – no matter that his ancestors had accumulated most of it… no matter that it wouldn’t be there for his children and grandchildren.  His lifetime was the only lifetime that mattered.

May God rescue us from this myopic worldview.  I am infected.  So are you.  We need healing.  Heal us, O Lord!

Help us to repent when our own excesses bring on plagues… and when You bring us plagues to turn us back to you.  That is the purpose of the plagues in Revelation.  Repent!  Come back to the Lord!  Read from Revelation chapter sixteen:

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, causing it to scorch everyone with its fire.  Everyone was burned by this blast of heat, and they cursed the name of God, who sent all of these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 

Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. And his subjects ground their teeth in anguish, and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they refused to repent of all their evil deeds. (Verses 8-11)

Guide us back to the glory that You first intended, O God.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Remember & Worship the Lord. Isaiah 36-37; Revelation 15

May the mumbling commence!

Before we get too proud about our accomplishments, let’s recognize that our success often comes from the Lord.  If we forget that important fact, our fortunes will turn in a devastating way.  Read about the king of Assyria from Isaiah chapter thirty-seven:

“'Whom do you think you have been insulting and ridiculing?

Against whom did you raise your voice?

At whom did you look in such proud condescension?

It was the Holy One of Israel! 

By your messengers you have mocked the Lord.

You have said, "With my many chariots

I have conquered the highest mountains—

yes, the remotest peaks of Lebanon.

I have cut down its tallest cedars and its choicest cypress trees.

I have reached its farthest corners and explored its deepest forests. 

I have dug wells in many a foreign land

and refreshed myself with their water.

I even stopped up the rivers of Egypt so that my armies could go across!" 

But have you not heard?

It was I, the Lord, who decided this long ago.

Long ago I planned what I am now causing to happen,

that you should crush fortified cities into heaps of rubble. 

That is why their people have so little power and are such easy prey for you.

They are as helpless as the grass, as easily trampled as tender green shoots.

They are like grass sprouting on a housetop, easily scorched by the sun. 

But I know you well — your comings and goings and all you do.

I know the way you have raged against me. 

And because of your arrogance against me,

which I have heard for myself,

I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your mouth.

I will make you return by the road on which you came.'" (Verses 23-29)

Forget the Lord, and return to square one.  It’s not two steps forward and one step back.  It’s two steps forward and two or three steps back.  Let’s learn from the mistakes of others.

It’s wise to remember the Lord.  Remember and worship God in all circumstances.  Read from Revelation chapter fifteen:

I saw before me what seemed to be a crystal sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them.  And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

"Great and marvelous are your actions, Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations. 

Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous deeds have been revealed." (Verses 2-4)

Our God is great.  Our God is strong.  We remember and run to the Lord at all times. 

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out

Second Wind from the Lord. Isaiah 34-35; Revelation 14

May the mumbling commence!

Sometimes we feel weary and heavy laden.  It’s true.  But, when we are walking in the Way of Jesus, we have the living Spirit of the living Lord to strengthen us for the journey.  Read from Isaiah chapter thirty five:

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.  Say to those who are afraid, "Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you."  And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf.  The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will shout and sing! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the desert.  The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived. 

And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God's ways; fools will never walk there.  Lions will not lurk along its course, and there will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will follow it.  Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness. (Verses 3-10)

Rejoice!  God is coming to destroy our enemies… both those without and within.  The Lord will open our eyes and unplug our ears.  The Lord will make us strong so that we might shout and sing praises to God.

And a Highway of Holiness will ribbon out before us… a narrow path.  It’s only for those who walk in God’s Way.  It’s only for the redeemed… only by God’s grace does anyone find this path and keep to it.  On this path, sorrow and mourning will be transformed into joy and gladness.

Rejoice!  Praise the Lord!  Shout along with the angel in Revelation chapter fourteen:

And I saw another angel flying through the heavens, carrying the everlasting Good News to preach to the people who belong to this world – to every nation, tribe, language, and people.  "Fear God," he shouted. "Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all the springs of water." (Verses 6-7)

Have you no fear?  Fear this – fear the Lord Almighty, the only one who can destroy both body and soul.  Respect that power.  Give thanks that the Lord is merciful and gracious.  Give glory unto God and to God’s Son Jesus.  Worship the Creator of all things.

Amen and amen.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out