The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you
shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. You shall be a crown of
beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (Isaiah 62-2-3
NRSV)
There are two themes that dominate the writings of
all the great prophets. They are Judgement and Hope. As far
as the prophets were concerned, Israel's greatness as a
nation did not depend on its prosperity or its military
might. They knew that a nation's character was more
important than its cash reserves. They did not buy the
prosperity Gospel. Israel's wealthy elite might "have it
all," but they dare not call it the blessing of God if their
hearts and their lives were corrupt. Thus the prophets
pronounced judgement on Israel's sinfulness. Without
righteousness and justice there will be a day of reckoning,
they thundered. Things will not continue like this forever.
Their pronouncements of judgement, however, must be
balanced by their messages of hope. They were not all gloom
and doom. When Israel was hurting, when its people were
still trying to sing the Lord's song in a strange land, when
there was famine and pestilence and war throughout the
country, the prophets again spoke up. Things will not be
like this forever, they said. Hang in there. God will not
forsake His own.
Judgement and hope, God is always with us. It is our job to welcome God into our lives, no
matter what situation we face!
Prayer: Loving God, there is times of great highs and lows when I don't even call for
you. Help me to change that by inviting you to always be with me. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Sunday, January 25, 1998