Daily Journal: 13 September

In the Aftermath of Chaos

When we distance ourselves from truth, we are at war.

Isaiah 59:14 (NLV)

What is right and fair is turned back. What is right and good stands far away. Truth has fallen in the street, and what is right cannot come in.

When life is cheapened because insecurity rises so high it must silence what it fears, we are at war.

Proverbs 1:20-33 (NLV)

Wisdom calls out in the street. She lifts her voice in the center of town. There she cries out in the noisy streets. At the open gates of the city she speaks: “O foolish ones, how long will you love being foolish? How long will those who laugh at others be happy in their laughing? How long will fools hate much learning? Listen to my strong words! See, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make my words known to you. I called but you would not listen. I put out my hand and no one gave it a thought. You did not listen when I told you what you should do, and you would not hear any of my strong words. So I will laugh at your trouble. I will laugh when you are afraid. Fear will come to you like a storm. Hard times will come like a strong wind. When trouble and suffering come upon you, then they will call on me, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me. Because they hated much learning, and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would not listen when I told them what they should do. They laughed at all my strong words. So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own plans. For the foolish will be killed by their turning away. The trust that fools put in themselves will destroy them. But he who listens to me will live free from danger, and he will rest easy from the fear of what is sinful.”

When nations or individuals are attacked and silenced for their presence, for their beliefs, we are at war. When we perceive we are enemies because we disagree, we are at war. When we choose hate over love, antagonism over peace, vitriol over freedom, we are at war.

Ezekiel 18:23 (NIV)

Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?

Isaiah 55:6-13 (NIV)

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”

In the middle of confusion, in the face of rage, in the wake of fear, in the aftermath of chaos, we trust in the ways of the Lord, in the power and the righteousness of the One who saves.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLV)

if My people who are called by My name put away their pride and pray, and look for My face, and turn from their sinful ways, then I will hear from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NLT)

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 (NIV)

…encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.