Desperate Times

"'In that day the glory of Jacob will fade;

the fat of his body will waste away.

It will be as when reapers harvest the standing grain,

gathering the grain in their arms--

as when someone gleans heads of grain

in the Valley of Rephaim.

Yet some gleanings will remain,

as when an olive tree is beaten,

leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches,

four or five on the fruitful boughs,'

declares the LORD, the God of Israel."

Isaiah 17:4-6

Why would God turn to such drastic measures as utilizing a menacing enemy like Assyria to bring both Syria and Israel to their knees, leaving the Promised Land desolate and in ruins? For that matter, why would God be so cruel as to do the same today?

He knows what it takes to humble a man or even an entire nation.

Dependent.  We are strong.  We take great pride in what we can accomplish.  We revel in our innovations, the technological advances, the scientific discoveries, the medical developments.  By our own power, we can go further than we ever dreamed was possible.  We set our sights on high.  Then by the sweat of our brow we make the impossible possible.  Yes, we are invincible and we glory in our supremacy and splendor!

As a nation, we have great confidence in what we can do, yet do we ever acknowledge the One who is behind all that has been done, who made all things, giving man the intellect and inspiration, the raw materials with which to work, the breathe that gives us life?  No, not in any meaningful way.  We have our traditional prayer breakfasts and ceremonial rituals, but the hearts of our leaders are not on the whole repentant nor humble.  As a people we have forgotten to Whom we owe our greatness.

In such desperate times as these, God may resort to desperate measures to bring a people to their knees (Isaiah 17:7).

Pure.  Tolerance.  It is the god of choice in today's society.  We pat ourselves on the back for loving people so much as to agree with their choices, welcoming and celebrating all lifestyles as acceptable and refusing to judge any behavior as morally wrong or corrupt.  We rejoice in that which is reprehensible, redefining standards as we go, congratulating ourselves for our progressive and highly evolved thinking.  Meanwhile, we trample on God's holy character, fashioning a god whom neither resembles nor honors His true nature.

This kind of idolatry runs rampant today.  We make God into who we imagine Him to be, crafting Him out of our own sense of right and wrong, taking away the parts that are uncomfortable and replacing those with what seems more palatable to us.  Before we even realize what we are doing, we've created a new god to worship, redefining love and creating a fresh meaning for His purpose and our place. God's Word is either disregarded or misunderstood, rendering it useless and impotent.  No matter what we call it or how we justify our actions, we've still made a new god that agrees with our sinful ways and discarded the One True God and His Word as irrelevant and archaic.

In such desperate times as these, God may resort to desperate measures to bring a people to their knees (Isaiah 17:8).

Repentant.  We've evolved past a need for any omnipotent Being.  We are stronger, more intelligent, and highly advanced in all our ways.  We think we can get around God, coming up with innovative and efficient growing methods where crops can thrive despite drought or harsh conditions, or weapons to defend ourselves from any enemy, or technology to solve any problem.  Who needs God when we have such a wealth of resources from which to draw?

No matter how hard we try as a people, without God's favor nothing will succeed.  It's like gardening.  I can prepare the soil so it's rich and loamy, sow the seeds at the precise time necessary for a full growing season, water and fertilize, watching the plants closely for disease and pests.  The garden can show every sign that it will bring forth a bounteous crop for my family to enjoy, but without God to bless it's productivity I'll never see success.  In the same way, if we continue to turn our backs on the One who makes all things possible, woe is to us.

In such desperate times as these, God may resort to desperate measures to bring a people to their knees (Isaiah 17:10-11).

As a people we are making decisions that dishonor God, turning our backs on His better way and refusing to acknowledge our need for Him.  As a result, we are reaping the destruction we have sown.  Consequently, to get our attention and to capture our hearts, such desperate times call for desperate measures.  If we want to be restored back to our position of power and influence, we had better humble ourselves, pray, seek God and repent (2 Chronicles 7:14).  If we do, we have a chance.  May it be so.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can commit myself to praying for my country.

How do I get sucked into the thought patterns of the powers that be?  Have I considered interceding in prayer for my leaders?

When do I dishonor God in my independent ways?