Day 11

Israel’s Return

from the reading plan


Isaiah 13:1-22, Isaiah 14:1-32, Psalm 48:9-14, Revelation 12:7-9


You’ve seen those movies, the ones where the cops are tightening the noose on the bad guys and the main bad guy says, “Look, we’ve got to get our stories straight.” He then proceeds to give his accomplices a uniform script, so that when questioned by the authorities their stories all sound the same. It’s when there are variations in the stories that the wall starts to crack, and you know how that movie ends.

Isaiah’s not a bad guy. In fact, he was one of the good ones. But there’s a similar kind of “let’s  get the story straight” message that he provides for God’s people. He knew what the outsiders and the envoys and the reporters, if you will, would ask. In that moment Isaiah tells the people, say, “The Lord has founded Zion” (Isaiah 14:32). To vary from that message would cause their witness to crumble.

In Isaiah’s day, Zion was the refuge for God’s people. It was land, this tangible place that represented God’s presence and protection. In our day, there is no such land or mountain or city. We’d like to think so, though.

We often landmark places where we’ve experienced God’s goodness, felt a nearness of His presence, or received an answer to some vexing question. There is wisdom in that, no doubt. But should some outsider ask, it is important that we have our stories straight. We find our refuge in God alone. The refuge for God’s people today is God.

Now, does that sound like bumper sticker theology? You bet it does, and that kind of stuff often drives me bonkers because it reduces the grand mystery of the great and powerful God down to a handful of often shaky and hollow words. But I do believe there is bad bumper sticker theology, and then there is that which is good. The conciseness of the good kind actually enlarges the truth rather than diminishes it, for it allows room for our individual stories to fit beneath it. Sort of like the shade the branches of a single oak tree can provide on a sweltering day. More than one of us can enjoy that shade. In it we find shelter. It is a refuge.

The days of the Lenten season are often heavy, and sometimes quite dark. It is important in such times that when asked about our faith, we have our stories straight. We find our refuge in God, period.

Yes, we can see Easter on the horizon. Yes, we know how the movie ends.

Written by John Blase

 

Post Comments (7)

7 thoughts on "Israel’s Return"

  1. Bob Lawrence says:

    In You, Lord, I find my refuge. Protect me, Lord, and bring me home.

  2. Jeff Schroeder says:

    Let me hide myself in Thee

  3. David Grueser says:

    The whole reading sounded bleak.. but after reading through the commentary it made much more sense. The only refuge we can find is that which is found in God alone.

  4. Ty says:

    Today, no matter how crazy, or busy, or overwhelming, my refuge is in God alone. He’s in control. He has my best interest at heart. He is for me. He will not let me be put to shame. Because of that promise, I can choose joy today no matter how my day is going. My hope is found in the Lord, and my joy is unwavering. I am forgiven and free to live out his purpose for my life; to be faithful in the big and small. Lord Jesus, give me the strength to live by this truth today. In your name amen!

  5. Gian Musino says:

    Continue to live each day with the blessed assurance that the Lord is our refuge and strength.

  6. Nathan says:

    We will dwell in the house of the Lord and meditate on His unfailing love. He is our refuge and hiding place and he will protect and watch over us and send his angels down so we will not strike our foot on the stone. Be still and know that He is God. Breathe him in and trust him.

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