Isaiah 5:18-24 The Message
18-19 Doom to you who use lies to sell evil,
who haul sin to market by the truckload,
Who say, “What’s God waiting for?
Let him get a move on so we can see it.
Whatever The Holy of Israel has cooked up,
we’d like to check it out.”
20 Doom to you who call evil good
and good evil,
Who put darkness in place of light
and light in place of darkness,
Who substitute bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21-23 Doom to you who think you’re so smart,
who hold such a high opinion of yourselves!
All you’re good at is drinking—champion boozers
who collect trophies from drinking bouts
And then line your pockets with bribes from the guilty
while you violate the rights of the innocent.
24 But they won’t get by with it. As fire eats stubble
and dry grass goes up in smoke,
Their souls will atrophy,
their achievements crumble into dust,
Because they said no to the revelation
of God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
Would have nothing to do
with The Holy of Israel.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
The Wizard of Oz has remained popular for years.
It has always been one of my “go to” favorite movies.
Just “follow the yellow brick road and be good, you will always get home.”
People of all ages have also learned much valued moral lessons from each of the characters Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they traveled down the long and winding concourse of the fabled ‘yellow brick road.’
Of course, weaved right into the plot line the great enemy to be overcome is the Wicked Witch of the West and her dark kingdom with everything to be feared.
Evil is clearly depicted as being highly dangerous and then is overcome by good.
A recent Broadway musical, however, turns the high moral sense of the original story upside down on its head.
In this rewriting of the story, the wicked witch is presented as a sympathetic character.
Born with green skin, she feels like an outsider.
Major characters, plot lines, roles, and other details are altered so that the wicked witch is really just a misunderstood person, evil is misunderstood.
The audience might come away with the idea the evil is good and good is evil.
From today’s biblical text, during the ministry of the prophet Isaiah, a reversal of moral values took place in Israel.
Some actually lifted up the evils of stealing, murder, idolatry, adultery as good.
In response Isaiah gave a stern warning:
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil!” (Isaiah 5:20).
In our relativistic world, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word can ensure our discernment between good and evil.
If we know the truth, the truth will free us, we can discern what’s false.
Isaiah 5:20 Amplified Bible
20
Woe (judgment is coming) to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness;
Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
One of the tell-tale signs of being at the very end of the Church age is people gradually moving away from the ethical things of God and embracing wildly distorted ideas regarding morality, what are the very basics of right vs. wrong.
Biblically, such a society can no longer successfully function, navigate through the vast diversities of challenges brought out by technological advancements, economic cycles, social cultural and political upheavals and vast global crises.
We are all seeing the truth of this Word from Isaiah unfold before our eyes in what has become a clash between a secular worldview and a Biblical worldview.
Today’s secular worldview is developed through highly divisive, “hot button” cultural preferences and social norms that are promoted through progressive educational institutions, social media of all sorts, and even so called “science.”
And since these factors shift from generation to generation, and one political, politically correct or else!” body their “expression of truth” is always changing.
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Amplified Bible
28 The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says the Lord. 29 “Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn] rock [in pieces]?
Hebrews 4:12-13 Amplified Bible
12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is ever concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.
This is the exact opposite of a Biblical worldview which is based on the never changing, immutable, divinely-breathed, divinely-inspired Word of God!
Like its author, the Way and the Truth and the Life of the ever living Word of God never changes, but is and remains the same yesterday, today and forever!
This raging, even openly violent conflict between two worldviews, secular vs. biblical, has never been more evident than it has been recently.
Secular society now grapples with a host of aggressively divisive issues.
However, people who are raised and educated to make moral decisions based on these temporary feelings and peer pressures are easily deceived and led astray.
As a result, we, the Body of Christ, God’s Church in the World, have entered into a time when Christianity is regarded by many as inferior and narrow-minded.
In truth, criticism of Christianity has often been justified.
John 8:1-11 Amplified Bible
The Adulterous Woman
8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came back into the temple [court], and all the people were coming to Him. He sat down and began teaching them. 3 Now the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery. They made her stand in the center of the court, 4 and they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the very act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” 6 They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. 7 However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. 9 They listened [to His reply], and they began to go out one by one, starting with the oldest ones, until He was left alone, with the woman [standing there before Him] in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She answered, “No one, Lord!” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
Representatives of Christ can and do use the Word of God as a battering weapon to attack and shame people, keeping them bound in shame and condemnation, rather than, like Jesus, subtly using it to transform, help set them free from sin.
We must always keep ourselves steadfast and vigilant, to guard our hearts so to prevent becoming haters, shamer’s of those vulnerable people whom God loves.
Even if they hold a distorted secular worldview, let’s remember the following admonition from Paul:
2 Corinthians 4:1-2 Amplified Bible
Paul’s Apostolic Ministry
4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. 2 But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
Nonbelieving people judge how they feel about the Scripture and the Savior based on the way in which we, the saints of God, behave.
Therefore even in the face of the very harshest criticism, we have a far higher accountability, responsibility, as God’s separated and anointed handlers of the Word of God and carriers of His Spirit to demonstrate Christ for the betterment and salvation of the lost, not as a hammer to further enslave deceived people.
So handle with care and concern, rather than condemnation or carelessness.
Let God and the Word of God alone do work of conviction and transformation.
Isaiah 55:8-11 Amplified Bible
8
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10
“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth,
Making it bear and sprout,
And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11
So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
It will not return to Me void (useless, without result),
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Time-Tested, True Ways to Stay Faithful
During times of social and cultural upheaval, it’s especially good to remember the foundations of our faith.
God has not left us to fend for ourselves on the shifting sand of moral relativity, but provided time tested, true keys to enable us to overcome every challenge.
These time tested biblical keys are not new, but are things every believer should be reminded and disciplined to practice regularly, in order to mature spiritually and maintain a solid biblical worldview.
We may be in the world, but we are not of it!
Here are five quick keys to help you stay faithful in a world that has lost its way.
1. Start Your Day in Prayer
Mark 1:35-38 Amplified Bible
35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there. 36 Simon [Peter] and his companions searched [everywhere, looking anxiously] for Him, 37 and they found Him and said, “Everybody is looking for You!” 38 He replied, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came [from the Father].”
Prayer anchors your soul to God even while living in a society that is drifting far from Him.
It opens our hearts to receive His peace, hope and reassurance, and sweeps clean the debris of sin that we’ve picked up in our daily lives.
In short,
prayer helps us to hold onto our faith when everything around us is nuts.
2. Study the Bible Daily
Psalm 119:9-16 Amplified Bible
Beth.
9
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
10
With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].
11
Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12
Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate on Your precepts
And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts].
16
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
After we’ve established a disciplined practice of daily prayer, successful rhythm of daily devotions, we need to go further, to do more than simply read the Bible.
We need to study it and make it a part of our thinking and our speech.
We need to check our “political correctness at the door” to decide that knowing the truth of the Word of God is more important than knowing the daily news.
We must realize the Word of God is where we find our guide to right and wrong (not political correctness), our guide to life, purpose (not New Age affirmations), our guide to health, wholeness (not man’s suppositions), to be lights of the Lord.
It is imperative that the Word of God be implanted deeply in us, so it can be our guiding light which leads us all down every path and in every decision we make.
3. Repent of Sin Quickly
James 1:14-17 Amplified Bible
14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). 15 Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brothers and sisters. 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow [a]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].
Translation: sin has “babies,” and those babies grow up and take on a destructive life of their own.
Sin is not something to sugar coat or to not play hardcore with.
It will always take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you are willing to pay.
It also desensitizes you to what is right and wrong, and makes you vulnerable to the seducing spirits at work in the world.
Sin is sneaky.
Its goal is to trip you, trap you, and take you out.
If you ignore it or try to hide it, you’ll lose every time.
So be proactive! Confess it to God, receive His forgiveness, and forsake it.
Proverbs 28:13 Amplified Bible
13
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and [a]turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.
Jesus was faithful on the cross to pay the price for our sin 2,000 years ago, and He remains faithful to forgive us of our sin today and we still need forgiveness ourselves, and since we receive it from God, we must also pass it on to others.
4. Get Spiritually Dressed
Ephesians 6:10-12 Amplified Bible
The Armor of God
10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
Wiles of the devil are simply mind games or delusions.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember in the moment, but people are not our problem – principalities and seducing spirits are.
Stop hating on people and start praying for them instead.
Suit up in your spiritual armor and take a stand against the real enemy.
Get covered with the armor of God from head to toe!
The belt of truth – the truth that comes from the Word of God, not society or politics.
The breastplate of righteousness – knowing we are right with God, not because of our goodness, but because of God’s grace
The gospel of peace – knowing we are at peace with God, and have an eternal home in the heavens not built with the hands of man. Knowing we can walk in a quiet rest that passes all understanding
The shield of faith – an absolute assurance that God’s word is true and will come to pass in our lives
The helmet of salvation – we have soundness of mind because of a secure faith in the principles of the Word of God and so great a salvation bought for us by our Savior
The sword of the Spirit – an unwavering revelation of God’s word that empowers us to respond to every attack of the enemy and causes him to flee
And of course, our battle position is in prayer – always.
It’s not just what we do when we don’t know what to do, it is what we must do at all times, for this is how we fight our battles in a world that has lost its way.
5. Go to Church!
Hebrews 10:23-25 Amplified Bible
23 Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]; 24 and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, 25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
Sometimes we forget, but we really need to be in God’s house, where we are fed the Word of God in fellowship with others of like faith.
It’s where our errant theology and politics gets challenged and changed to line up with the God’s truth.
It’s where we experience the power and healing of worshipping in God’s presence.
It’s where iron sharpens iron, and we experience the love of the brethren.
Thank God for church online when gathering together is truly impossible.
And at all other times, we must not forsake this valuable key to remaining steadfast, strong and immovable in the faith.
Finally, it’s important to remember that much of the chaos today has been blamed on politics, power plays, social injustice, etc.
But the truth is the world’s gone crazy wild because of sin.
And the devastation caused by sin cannot be controlled by any president, agenda, or master plan.
No matter how hard we try, we just can’t hope to even minimally control sin.
It’s why more than absolutely anything or anyone else, we absolutely need our Lord, Savior, King Christ Jesus, weaving, working in a world that’s lost its way.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
God of all truth, sometimes I not sure if I’m actually hearing your voice, or if it’s just my own thoughts or even another spirit. Sharpen my spiritual hearing, Lord, so I can recognize your words when you are speaking to me. Help me know it’s really you, with no doubt or second-guessing. When I’m asking for your guidance in important decisions, give me your peace that surpasses understanding with your answer. Help me remember, to preach, to teach, that your words to us will never go against your written word in the Bible. Give me a clear mind and push out all my confusion. Amen.
Adeste Fideles! Laeti Triumphantes! Venite Adoremus! Dominum.
Gloria! In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 