CALLING GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right! —Isaiah 5:20-23
They say sex outside marriage is good, that living together is good, that divorce is good, that homosexual marriage is good, that taking money from some and giving it to others not willing to work is good, that promoting the politically correct idea of climate change is good, that not allowing youth to talk about Jesus in schools is good, that allowing the state to teach our children from birth onward is good, to continue to increase taxes is good, that releasing thousands and thousands of criminals out of prison and onto the streets is good, that judges over-ruling the voters is good, that they know what is best for the rest of the people is good, that it is ok for them to live in luxury and to spend the money of others that are struggling is good, that it is ok to clear the guilty with promises of money and support from them is good, that they do not take steps to help the innocent in dire situations is good…
The Lord says, “Woe to those” who are acting and thinking like this. They are not getting away with anything as the Lord God Almighty knows every thought, word and deed— “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Everyone will be held accountable— “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27).
This world is filled with unjust and wicked actions, but follower of Jesus Christ rejoice, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands” (II Corinthians 5:1). We know the end of the story: “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 20:1-4). That is the home of those who love Jesus!
Yes, let us rejoice as we head toward home and may we be faithful to Him in a “deceitful and twisted generation” (Deuteronomy 32:5). You who “…have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged” (Hebrews 6:18) as “…we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ… (Titus 2:13). Keep “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrew 12:2). So be it!
Dear Father, help me to keep focused on You and what You desire me to be and do while on this planet. Thank You that You are always working and that Your work will be finished one day. Help me to finish the work You have for me in the Lord Jesus.