Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation
between you and your God,
and your sins have hidden his face from you
so that he does not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood
and your fingers with iniquity;
your lips have spoken lies;
your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one enters suit justly;
no one goes to law honestly;
they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies,
they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
5 They hatch adders’ eggs;
they weave the spider’s web;
he who eats their eggs dies,
and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched.
6 Their webs will not serve as clothing;
men will not cover themselves with what they make.
Their works are works of iniquity,
and deeds of violence are in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil,
and they are swift to shed innocent blood;
their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;
desolation and destruction are in their highways.
8 The way of peace they do not know,
and there is no justice in their paths;
they have made their roads crooked;
no one who treads on them knows peace.
9 Therefore justice is far from us,
and righteousness does not overtake us;
we hope for light, and behold, darkness,
and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind;
we grope like those who have no eyes;
we stumble at noon as in the twilight,
among those in full vigor we are like dead men.
11 We all growl like bears;
we moan and moan like doves;
we hope for justice, but there is none;
for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you,
and our sins testify against us;
for our transgressions are with us,
and we know our iniquities:
13 transgressing, and denying the Lord,
and turning back from following our God,
speaking oppression and revolt,
conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.
14 Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
and uprightness cannot enter.
15 Truth is lacking,
and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.(ESV)
While reading Chapter 59 from the book of Isaiah, I couldn’t help but reflect how something written over 2,500 years ago could be speaking about current affairs. It doesn’t matter the culture, nationality, or time period, but human history is a lesson of mankind repeating the same mistakes over and over again.
Governments have come and gone. Nations have come and gone. Tribes have come and gone. What they all have in common are the lessons of how difficult it is to govern people. For people want freedom with security, but the battle between the two without God as the center, leads to slavery for the masses.
History is the empirical evidence of human nature living life with and without God’s wisdom and favor. The tiny nation of Israel is a reminder for all to witness the influence God bestows on his people. Most people hate Israel for no other reason than their anger and ignorance of God. There is so much hatred built within people that peace has no room within them. Yet because of a God who keeps his commitments, Israel still exists today even with multitude of people bent on its destruction.
History shows sincere people think they are the ones who can best govern the masses. Yet, history also shows these same people may start off with the greatest of intentions, but human nature eventually takes over and leads people into controlling people to get done what they believe is best.
When people have to control others to get what they want, tyranny rules. But when nations practice the principles of Kingdom living, countries flourish.
History has shown that the best government are least governed. When people exercise self-responsibility to govern themselves under principles and values which allows all people to be free, flourish, and fine fulfillment, the results are quite remarkable.
The Bible reveals how historical Israel was initially ruled by judges; no kings, no bureaucracy, no redistribution of wealth, just people living under a code of the ten commandments. When they followed its teachings, they flourished. When they did not, they were disciplined. When they had a dispute between parties, a judge with Godly understanding and wisdom would decide the matter.
God’s Kingdom is built on self-govern principles. Jesus Christ is the King and we are all HIS subjects. HIS Spirit lives in us and leads us to practice values which lead to freedom, flourishment and fulfillment for the masses without bureaucratic interference. You do what is right because it’s the right thing to do.
Until human nature’s heart is changed, people will continually live-in fear and keep repeating the same, unproductive and destructive behavior which leads to pain and misery for most. Thankfully, our Triune God has revealed a way of life which brings love, joy, and peace through its practice now. Though many shun the means of grace because of experiencing a counterfeit faith, there are still many who are grateful for God’s intervention in their life and opening their eyes to understand and participate with HIM today in living life under HIS Kingdom domain.
The Triune God has given us the means and capacity to follow HIM and HIS ways. But we need to choose and walk it out with Jesus Christ along with the Holy Spirit. When we do, we experience the joy of real living. When we choose not too, we are left on our own to govern and manage life’s circumstances. The result is the destruction sown over and over again. This is why Jesus taught us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come. Only when we discover that HIS government is the best way for all mankind to flourish and find fulfillment will there be total worldwide peace and prosperity.
Rooting For You in Christ!
Dr. Mike
Encourager & Author of e-Books
* Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
* Great Business Emulates a Good God
* Be Radical…Follow Christ!
* Simply The Messenger
* Unequally Married
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