Isaiah 30:1-2, 9-11: "'Woe to the obstinate children,' declares the LORD, 'to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge . . . . These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction. They say to the seers, 'See no more visions!' and to the prophets, 'Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!'"
In the recent euphoria of the Presidential inauguration of 2009, America seems to be experiencing a level of of hope and celebration not seen in previous inaugurations. As 1.9 million people personally witnessed the 44th President taking his oath of office, a sense of national pride, joy, and unity seemed to envelop the crowd. People were crying and cheering this momentous occasion. To be sure, our nation is experiencing a milestone in that race no longer is an inhibitor to one being elected to the top political position in our nation; and for this reason, we do have cause to celebrate.
Still, we would do well to remember the Israelites from the passage cited above, that placed their confidence and security in political alliances and not in the Lord Almighty. These Israelites of Isaiah's day did not honor the commands of the Lord; instead, they willfully rebelled against the Lord, choosing to serve their own selfish desires (and in effect choosing themselves as their own gods). As these Israelites swelled with national pride and confidence, they refused to seek the ways of the Lord; in fact, they silenced Godly prophets who attempted to proclaim that the nation was not honoring the Lord (and therefore would be subject to His Divine judgment). The Israelites found pride in their political alliances with perceived world powers . . . they believed that they were invincible enough that they did not need the Sovereign Lord. Although the Lord desired to be compassionate and gracious to these people (see Isaiah 30:18), the Israelites shunned such offerings because they refused to surrender their own selfish wills to the One True Lord.
In the end, such obstinacy would bring sudden judgment from the Lord. Like a wall suddenly collapsing upon its residents bringing devastation, so too the Lord would bring calamity upon the people (Isaiah 30:13). For the covenant community's defiance to His Holiness and Sovereignty, the Lord's wrath would be poured out upon His covenant people.
Again, as much as we should rejoice in this historic Presidential election, let us not turn our eyes away from the Lord and believe ourselves impervious to His wrath. We already are witnessing our national rebellion against the statutes of the Lord through our irresponsible, irreverent, and immoral behavior (e.g. abortions, financial deceit, flagrantly inappropriate sexual relations, et al). Let us turn from such despicable ways and collectively yield ourselves to the Lord of Hosts. Let us not resist the eternal truths of God; instead, let us renounce any vain philosophies that would assert our own quest for lordship over the One True Lord. Let's open our ears and our hearts to His petition for us to return to Him and enjoy the intimate fellowship that He desires for us to experience with Him.
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