May 11, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury. Their blood spattered My garments. My clothes were all stained. For the day of vengeance was in My heart and the year of My redemption had come.” (Isaiah 63.1b, 3b-4)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD TO US:

I am sure you have heard it said, as have I, “Do not get between a momma bear and her cubs.” Perhaps the only thing worse would be to corner a wounded bear, or most any other animal. Let’s not fool ourselves, even domesticated animals still have a protective, vindication gene in the DNA. So, too, do we. But nothing compares to that which is of God. I know that there are many who have turned away from believing in a God of vengeance and wrath. There are many who have softened God to “righteous anger,” as is afforded Jesus when He went to right the wrong of the perversion of the Temple. There are many who believe that love is more “cotton candy and entitlement” than the balance of gentle and fierce conversations. They are the same ones who put Hell on mute and whitewash Heaven. We should not participate in those corrupt ideologies concerning our faith in the One True God. What do you think of when someone mentions the word “conflict”? Almost always it is a negative connotation and detrimental to the health and welfare of a person or people. Because of that, most all people choose to avoid conflict. In actuality, conflict is when something is moving against or opposes something that is already established as proper, appropriate, legal or acceptable. What if it is not any of those things? Shouldn’t it be opposed to? Even if someone might perceive a question about the “status quo” as troublemaking, incendiary, inciting or conflict, is the good being served by allowing evil to continue unchecked? Where is the balance that is the place of peace and prosperity? Can too much of a “good” thing be bad, too? Shouldn’t we stir up a little trouble just to “balance” things out”? Well, if our understanding of good is worldly, then many would agree. However, as Christ followers, our understanding of good is kingdom-oriented. That means, if you remember, that good is what serves the purposes of God for His people, His creation and Himself.

This is where, I believe, that the dialogue between Isaiah and God before the nation of Israel, and thus before the entire world, is derived from and headed toward. What is serving the good purposes of God if no one is proposing and supporting the righteousness of God? What is serving the good purposes of God if no one is defending the faith, keeping the faith and inviting others to join in the faith community? God has, after all, made His commitment to His people for the sake of the redemption, reconciliation, restoration and salvation. We know that from the very sacrifice which God made in the Garden of Eden on behalf of His promise to Adam and Eve. What promise was that? It is was promise of His ruach, the breath or Spirit of God. The very presence and anointing of His children in the Garden with His Holy Spirit established the covenant by which God would hold Himself accountable. God cannot and will not violate His covenant. He will defend the freedoms granted to them by the anointing of forgiveness and the challenge to walk by faith and not by sight. He will also defend the covenant made that says “I AM your God and you are MY people.” Do you actually believe that God will simply ignore our sins and enable our bad decisions with “It’s okay, do what you want; I will just say ‘I forgive you’ and it will be okay”? Talking about “hell in a handbasket.” No, eventually God will have to take affirmative and firm action in defense of His promise, His covenant, His will and His people for His name’s sake. It is, after, God putting God on the line. We do not have to test Him who already is testing Himself in love.

And isn’t that what parenting is supposed to be about? The legacy of parenting has taken great hits throughout the years, thousands of years, years since Adam and Eve brought forth Cain and Abel into the world. Speaking of conflict, conflict has been with creation since before creation existed. God moved against the chaos to create order and we know the rest of the story. Satan moved against God in tempting Eve under Adam’s flawed supervision and we know the rest of the story. Cain moved against Abel because Adam and Eve did not fully “train up your children in the way they should go and they will not wander from it in the days and years to come.” Yes, I know, there was no parenting manual in or out of the Garden of Eden. Yes, I know, there was no marriage manual in or out of the Garden of Eden. Or was there? Experience seems to be the best teacher and Adam and Eve certainly had experience in the most important rule of all! What is that rule? Put your faith and trust in God and in God alone. Seek Him first and His righteousness and receive the blessing of promise and fulfillment all the days of your lives. Not only that, but they learned of responsibility, accountability, forgiveness, reconciliation and purpose as well as the value of labor (in the field and in the delivery room). Maybe there was a manual. Maybe the issue was always and remains so to this day, “Will you follow it and do for God as God has done for you.” That, mighty ones of God is parenting and discipling and walking by faith. If we choose not to do that, then we are shown God’s ways and means of effecting His will and make it known. The day is coming when He will act on it again and the world will never be the same. Neither will we, believers or not.

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 in whose name we pray. AMEN.