Sometimes I look at the world around us with its collapsing morals, injustices, political corruption, selfishness and defaming or mocking of God and His principles and I want to cry out like Isaiah "Tear open the skies and come down to earth so that the mountains will tremble before you. Like a fire that burns twigs, like a fire that makes water boil, let your enemies know who you are. Then all nations will shake with fear when they see you." Okay call me James or John who wanted to call down fire on the Samaritan village in Luke 9 for not welcoming Jesus. I know, I know, Jesus rebuked them for that. But sometimes I just want God to show Himself and put those other people in their place.
Just like Isaiah, I want people to see the amazing things of God. There is no one like Him. He is always there to help those who trust in Him and enjoy doing good, who strive to live according to His truths. I get tired and grieved by those, the world, who work against God's principles, who flaunt their sin and declare their own brand of morals. I just want God to show them who's boss, to show His righteousness and power and really let them have it.
In the back of my mind, I keep hearing that rebuke from Jesus to James and John, and probably the rest of the disciples too. I'm sure they all felt the same thing. Jesus, why do you let those punks push you around. You've done so many cool things, amazing things, beneficial things. You're offering hope and life and unconditional love and forgiveness and they are just bashing you. Just take care of them, bring on the fire.
But I can't help but look at my own life. Just as Isaiah said, my acts of righteousness are only filthy rags to God. I have my own sin. I have my own rejection of His truths. I, too, am disobedient. And deep down, I'm selfish, wanting what I want for me and my benefit. Even my so called righteous anger is more about me wanting what I want.
If I really pause and reflect, asking God to come down and burn out all the unrighteous is actually asking Him to burn me up as well. If I'm asking Him to wipe out all who sin against God or have rejected Him in any way by their behavior, I'm really asking Him to take me out as well.
Perhaps Isaiah's cry is a better one, But you are our father, Lord. We are like clay, and you are like the potter. You created us, so do not be too angry with us or hold our sins against us forever. We are your people; be merciful to us. Instead of crying out for God to show up in a big way and wipe out or even just intimidate all those who oppose Him, maybe we should be praying that God would mold us into becoming truly what He would want us to be. Maybe if we took seriously His commands of loving Him and loving our neighbors in a real and practical way the world would be different. Maybe if we dedicated our life to announcing and proclaiming the Kingdom the way Jesus did, as Michael Frost suggests, we would see throngs coming to Him. Maybe if we made the Kingdom of God tangible, as Hugh Halter suggests, people would experience the glory, goodness, love, and compassion of Jesus and be consumed by Him. Maybe if we took seriously the commands of Jesus as His people, the world would long for the touch of God.
God, I cry out to you with the prayer of Isaiah. You are my father, Lord. I am just clay. Mold me and shape after your will. Forgive my insolence, my arrogance, my self righteousness and sin. Don't be angry with me. Be merciful, please. Make me an instrument of your peace and message of Good News. Use me as your vessel so that people can see Jesus and experience your grace.
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