Tensions continue to rise across the western hemisphere as COVID-19 cases mount and protests result in terrifying riots. We may give thanks that COVID-19 hospitalizations and related deaths are in significant decline. We may breathe a sigh of relief that BLM marches are remarkably peaceful across our region.
Nevertheless, political commentators slam each other with verbal sledgehammers on a nightly basis. Republicans and Democrats have, perhaps, never been more polarized. Social media platforms are aflame with rhetoric that betrays our collective ignorance to the truth.
Yet where is God in all of this? Is Jesus out on vacation?
Loved ones, God’s plan has not been foiled nor is He caught off-guard by the depravity of humanity. His beautiful blueprints are not wrinkled or torn. The God over the universe, who holds stars in space and paints the sky, is writing a story to display His glory. The timeline of history manifests His mercy.
But in the bewildering days, months, and years between a shuttered Garden and the renewed Creation, we all-too-easily lose sight of God’s ancient-present-future mercy. So…
We wring our hands, grit our teeth, complain to friends, and anxiously wait for some way to have a decent weekend.
Exhausted.
Worried.
Worn.
Words like these crash like a set of waves each day. So, songwriter, Andrew Peterson, asks us, “Do you feel the world is broken?”
We do.
“Do you feel the shadows deepen?”
We do.
But there is One worthy to rightfully rule. His loving faithfulness has not clocked out. Therefore, just like those who battled with faith long before, we need a recall moment – a summary of redemptive history. Here’s how God brings His ancient-present-future mercy back into focus through Isaiah the prophet:
Yes, this may take a moment. Stop the hurry. P-A-U-S-E the scroll. Rehearse the mercies of God with me:
“I shall make mention of the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, the praises of the LORD,
According to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has granted them according to His compassion and according to the abundance of His lovingkindnesses.
For He said, ‘Surely, they are My people, sons who will not deal falsely,’
So He became their Savior.
In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them;
In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit;
Therefore He turned Himself to become their enemy, He fought against them.
Then His people remembered the days of old, of Moses.
Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock?
Where is He who put His Holy Spirit in the midst of them, who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name, who led them through the depths?
Like the horse in the wilderness, they did not stumble;
As the cattle which go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.
So You let Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name.”
(Isaiah 63:7-14)
As God led His people in the past, so He will lead us today.
Rest.
The Psalms and the Prophets are strategically seasoned with reverential reviews of God’s past demonstrations of His power and grace.
Why? Because, as one of my seminary professors continually reminded us, “What God has done in the past is a promise and a model for the future, but He is too creative to do it the same way twice.” (Dr. James Allman)
In His creativity, He is – right now – writing a sovereign story. Reading through redemptive history strengthens our present joy in God’s mercy.
So, let us bow our hearts to the LORD, the Ruler-King over everyone and everything.
I invite you to worship this King, the Worthy One:
In God’s Vineyard,
Michael
