June 19, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“‘For behold, the LORD will come with fire— His chariots are like a whirlwind— to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword, the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh, and many will be slain by the LORD. Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the groves—to follow one in the center of those who eat the flesh of swine and vermin and rats—will perish together,‘” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 66.15-17)

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

As we come to the close of Isaiah’s Revelation we are given vision to the finality of the reign of sin over the “world.” The infection of the sin of humanity aided by the sin of the dark spirits who followed Satan, the fallen and cast out Lucifer impacts even the earth. We dare not forget that the earth existed before humanity did. God carefully and intentionally created a reflection of heaven on which humanity was to live “on earth as it is in Heaven.” Yes, those words from the prayer Jesus gave the disciples and the circle of followers gathered around them should ring even more true now. Did “heaven” exist before God created the earth? We were and all of this creation the filling of found space which would further glorify and magnify God? Do not think that God is narcissistic. He does not create so that He will be lavished with praise as if He were some “Little Jack Horner who sat in a corner pulling out a plum in a pie thinking ‘what a good boy am I.’” No, the works and the worship go hand in hand with that glorious eternal life. We are the expression of God’s love. We are perhaps the actual “prodigal children” who have left the father’s domain to venture into the world to make of ourselves something we could not imagine in our Father’s house. The truth of the story is not in the application of “who am I” but “who is my Father.” Just as the prodigal son returns, so too do we. But what is the consequence of our return? Yes, there is the “older son” who then becomes disenchanted and disenfranchised by his lack of appreciation for his father’s mercy and grace. All that there was was his. He wanted for nothing. Yet, somehow he interpreted the father’s love for the wandering and wayward son who now repents and is restored as a sign of disfavor for himself. He leaves! He throws himself out. That part of the story is unknown in the teaching of Jesus. The focus is on the found and not the lost. Is the older son actually lost? If he was then the good shepherd would have gone out to find himself and return him to the safety of the sheepfold. No, the “older” son is not lost. He is in rebellion. Yes, I believe there is far more to this story than we have known. It is not the story of Jacob and Esau who finally become reconciled in time. It is the story of rebellion as the influence of “disbelief” seeks to infect others and lead to a hopeful rejection and overthrow of “his father’s house.” There must be a response. We see that response as the exercise of God’s justice.

Are you remembering “the grove”? This is where the prophetic work of Isaiah had its beginning (reference chapter 1, verse 29.) In some ways, Isaiah is speaking as if God is to blame for allowing this disastrous culture and climate to have evolved. Of course, we know that it is not the truth. God has extended tolerance only in the respect of giving Israel the space to recognize the depth of their depravity which has become the pit of despair. The sad truth is that many people know it but refuse to make the change, demand the change and become a part of the change. Is it any different that today? Think about it, will you. Here we are nearly three thousand years later. What is worse is that we are nearly two thousand years beyond the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth who is the Christ. While the gospel has had an impact on the world, could it be more? The answer would be and should be an unequivocal “yes.” How will it come about? When the people of God put aside the “blame game” and take on the “claim game.” The “blame game” is putting the responsibility for wrong on others; especially to deflect the culpability from one’s self to others. Do you know who ends up shouldering most of that blame? It falls on the innocent and those disabled by the very system which created the disparity between truth and the lie, good and evil. Are you willing to look at the world in this way and see your own reflection in the mirror you hold up to others? God is merciful for a season. That season now is culminating in the “age of the Church.” We are entering a true countdown to the “last Day” showdown. Jesus empowered the early Church before His ascension. The early Church began with the disciples with whom He had spent three years in training. He had already sent them out two by two into the countryside with the blessing of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel of authentic righteousness and to bring the hope of restoration of life, heart, mind, body and soul to the forefront. That was the grassroot movement of “the Church.” It launched with the Great Commission, in Matthew, and with the Pentecost blessing in Acts. It continues today but it needs greater fervor and intentionality. If it doesn’t, then the “last Day” will come with a vengeance. God said, “Vengeance is mine!” Imagine for a moment, if you will, the challenge which is found in verse 17. The finger of God is pointed directly at those who have purified themselves before the Lord. They are the watchmen, the shepherds, the spiritual guides who walk right into the middle of the valley of the shadow of death and remain dark. They do not let their light shine. They move with silence and blind eyes. They see it clearly but refuse to become the vanguards of faith. They are no better than those who have turned away from God. They are those who have turned away from faith. God will have no mercy on them. Let it not be us, mighty ones of God.

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 but as righteous works leading others to call Jesus Lord in faith, hope and love. AMEN.