I will hope in Him

Over break I began reading Isiaih, which is one of my favorite books from the bible. Similar to Jeremiaih, it tells of one man who dwells among a wicked and sanctimonious people. Indeed, every prophecy that Isaiah makes, from the conquest of Judah by the Babylonians, to the birth, death and resurrection of our Savior, is fulfilled. I feel this is a particularly relevant book to our present day, as many of us Americans acknowledge God with our lips, but are anything but a God fearing and loving nation. It's scary to think that some of the highest rates of husbands abusing their wives are from pastors (!).

Isaiah 8-9
8:19 35 They will say to you, “Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. 36 Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?”

This is an admonition against using such mediums that are commonplace in today's societies, from astrology (not astronomy, which is God's glorious gift to us) to fortune tellers. I still get chills when I think about the time Saul called upon a mystic to bring back Samuel from the dead.

9:6 For a child has been 15 born to us,
a son has been given to us.
He shoulders responsibility
and is called: 16
Extraordinary Strategist, 17
Mighty God, 18
Everlasting Father, 19
Prince of Peace. 20

How amazing almost 800 years before His birth, Isaiah was given these prophetic words from the mouth of our father. This chapter starts off saying "Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed." We always need to remember this hope no matter what tribulations come our way. If we wake up in the morning and are not joyful over another opportunity to praise and serve in God's kingdom, let us pray unceasingly. There is no reason to let our joy be diminished, for Jesus is the greatest thing to ever happen to this world.

9:13 The people did not return to the one who struck them,
they did not seek reconciliation 40 with the Lord who commands armies.
9:14 So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail,
both the shoots and stalk 41 in one day.
9:15 The leaders and the highly respected people 42 are the head,
the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
9:16 The leaders of this nation were misleading people,
and the people being led were destroyed.

This should stand us a testimony to us today. In the midst of the hurricanes, flooding, snowstorms, tsunamis, earthquakes, we (collectively) are still convinced there is no God. Instead of seeking to pacify the One who controls all things, we continue on in our way. All of us, like sheep, have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). If this country placed its hope in our Savior rather than the man who is a part of the very system that is causing its downfall, there may have been a completely different outcome. As it is now, we must remain vigilant in our faith, and not let a single day go by without longing to be near our Jesus.

9:21-Despite all this, his anger does not subside,
and his hand is ready to strike again. 60

We really need to dwell on and in God's mercy. Through all of our mistakes, God is still calling and reaching out to us. He is truly longsuffering toward us, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence (2 Peter 3:9). My prayer for us is that we remember this always, that Christ died for every one of us, loving us even when our hearts rebelled.