Joshua 4; Psalms 129–131; Isaiah 64; Matthew 12
One day I was praying about the mess in the world and fretting over bad news, even telling God what to do about it. In almost a humorous whisper, I heard Him say, “Elsie, get out of My to-do list.”
Since then, I’ve paid careful attention to what God alone can do. Those thoughts shape my prayers, especially these days. I see a great need in the world and in the church for Jesus Christ to be exalted and worshiped. He alone can bring order to chaos. He can also use the chaos to unite His people in faith.
This morning, I’m encouraged to read of how He did that in history. His Word affirms that He can do it again. The verses from Joshua show His power to exalt Christian leaders and put people in awe of His Son. On the day that His people crossed the Jordan into the promised land, “The Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they stood in awe of him just as they had stood in awe of Moses, all the days of his life.” (Joshua 4:14)
The people who honored Joshua had also been in awe of Moses. He had given them God’s law and even though they struggled to keep His law, they respected it also. Could it be that before the world will honor Jesus, they must also respect the righteousness of God that is revealed in His commands? If that is required, is there any hope for humanity? So many seem to despise the Lord. How can they change their minds?
Sadly, Romans 3 says no one seeks God but the rest of the NT tells how God seeks the lost and how His mercy and grace change lives. When I pray, I’m encouraged by the history of redemption and also verses like this from the OT that show the power of God to turn sinful people around: “May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward!” (Psalm 129:5)
That verse led me to check out Zion. Was the Psalmist using poetic language for something other than a place? I found Zion is the name of a religious center, not only for Israel, but for the entire world. The OT prophets also indicate that Zion is the central location for God’s future great deeds of salvation. He will cleanse sin and redeem sinners. He will “lay a precious cornerstone in Zion” referring to Jesus Christ. He will secure His people from their enemies and our lives will become fruitful as God saves us and rules over us.
Lest anyone thinks that sin is an obsolete word and that people are basically good, Jesus Christ did not agree. He said to the religious leaders of His day:
“You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Matthew 12:34–35)
Only the blind fail to see evil in this world. Killing, strife, greed and much more are rampant. The daily news puts pleas in my heart and mouth. I pray that God would act in power and grace, turning things around and bringing glory to His Name. I agree with Isaiah’s prayer:
“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (Isaiah 64:1–4)
APPLY: Humanity is helpless to fix the mess we are in. All we can do is speak to the One who can . . . and look to His mercy to help us. “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” (Psalm 130:5) He gives me a to-do list and still says that I must stay out of His list — for no one can do what God can do, no matter how hard we try.