March 30, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in Me will inherit the land and possess My holy mountain. And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road!
Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people.’” (Isaiah 57.13,14)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

I can only imagine what it will sound like when God will say, “Those are My people.” I believe that what every human being wants is to be included and a part. I know there are many who believe that it is better to be separated out and either alone or on their own. I get that. In the face of many people in the world throughout time, being along or on our own is a far better option than being “with them.” That does not negate the underlying call for unity, oneness, communion and belonging. It is still there. There is that desire for connectedness and authentic relationship. I believe it is safe to say that by definition this is the reality of righteousness. In verse 12 which precedes the verses reflected upon these past two days, God declares “I will expose and reveal your righteousness and your works; they will avail you little or nothing at all.” The line is drawn between God’s righteousness and human righteousness. Is human righteousness the presumption of God’s, or godly, righteousness? Is this what the Serpent in the Garden of Eden was hinting at when he speaks of “being equal with God”? Is this the underlying tenor of what Jesus had to confront as He Himself was in a “garden” experience in the Garden of Gethsemane? It was there He prayed, after having warned the disciples to pray so they would not fall into temptation, “If it be possible for this cup to pass from Me, Lord, let it be so; yet, not MY will but YOURS be done.” It would seem that the battle of wills is always based on which version of righteousness will be accepted by us. God’s righteousness promotes life, love, peace and community. Human righteousness promotes “in the moment” experiences which serve one’s own needs. Yes, even in the altruistic endeavors to “care for others” and “show concern for the needs of others,” it is seemingly with the agenda of “what’s in it for me.” We should always accept God’s righteousness as our first focus and primary directive! Jesus taught “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6.33) Jesus also taught “The Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” (Luke 17.21) Does this mean we should be seeking first the Kingdom of God which is in the “midst” of us, in our vicinity and proximity? If we were looking for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness in where we are at each moment, then what would our world look like and the community of faith’s impact on that world.

That leads me back to the power and effect/affect of hearing God declare “Those are My People.” It does point to those who first were given the covenant of promise. It is a declaration to everyone else of priority and “ownership” which God has for them and over them. This is where I understand the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, less as “laws” and more as “guidelines to recognize righteousness/lives guided by the righteousness of God.” If one is righteous, then the descriptors which are outlined in the Decalogue would be evident. This would demonstrate the proper construct and perspective for spirituality. If they were laws, then the “have to” and “don’t do” element would take priority. That would mean they were the formula of behavior which would be rewarded by God’s blessing. Would that blessing be “the Kingdom of God come near or is here”? But as benchmarks of what fulfilling the Shema would be evidenced as or manifested as, the Decalogue is instructional and informational as well as affirming of “My People.” What is the Shema? Jesus says they are the greatest commandments of all: first, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; the second, to love your neighbor [some translations say as yourself.] Investing one’s life efforts into being authentic with one’s gift and service of love (which means not self-serving) would then manifest itself in right behavior toward God and to others. Right behavior equals righteousness. Wrong behavior equals righteousness, too, which is better understood as un-righteous or perhaps even better understood as self-righteous. Unrighteous and self-righteous people are not God’s people. We can see that even in Judaism which confronted Jesus’ ministry and that of the early Church. It is what brought the Temple down twice. What we can also see is that the designation of “MY people” would then not be limited to the Jewish people. Jesus expands this application in His ministry and it was the backbone of Paul’s ministry. Thank goodness because it then includes us.

How wonderful to be introduced to heaven and earth as being one of “God’s people.” His sovereignty and providence would be over us. This is the meaning and intent of Romans 8.31 where Paul declares to Christ followers within the realm of the Roman Empire “If God is for us, then who can be against us.” Even in the face of trials, tribulations and persecutions, God’s “people” are covered by the promise of God for eternal and abundant life. There is no more abundant a life than to have sins forgiven, debts forgotten and the fruit of the Spirit manifested for eternity. It sets the world on notice that there are serious consequences when it comes to dealing with “God’s people.” It may not protect us from worldly and earthly harm on this side of our own cross to bear and resurrection to receive, but it does guarantee what happens after. This we can see in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. If we can see it in Him, then we will see it in ourselves being God’s people.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness which we know is folly but righteous works which declare Your glory and further witness the truth that can set all who believe free from death. So may we live by the name of Jesus our Christ. AMEN.