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Monday, July 19, 2010

Day 198: Judgment?

Today's Reading: Isaiah 23-27

There is an old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

As I listen to NPR and hear of fisherfolk crying out for justice due to the oil well eruption in the gulf, as global wars continue, as economies falter and unemployment continues, it makes me wonder. Is this the judgment of God?

This might seem like a naive and ridiculous question in our post enlightenment society where we are all very scientific and many dismiss religion as mythical. Most in our age would state they are "spiritual" but would probably say any god as little to do with their lives.

Yet, with a newspaper in one hand and the prophets' voices in the other, one can begin to understand the far right proponants who claim, "God is angry! The end times are near."

Our movie theaters support this apocalyptic theme. It seems our planet is not just at risk, but about to explode with a myriad of irreversible symptoms which will lead to its demise.

How should an educated, modern, justice and mercy pastor interpret all of this? Will our present progressive theologies provide the answers? Or should I turn back to the gloom and doom theologies of previous centuries?

How do I deal with Isaiah?

I wonder if sometimes Isaiah felt the same squeeze. For three years, in his longing to deal with the incongruities of life and the challenge of his age, he ran around naked! What drives a brilliant man to such matters? And how did such a prophet's preaching survive if he was truly crazy?

Or was he right on?

Is God calling us to a wake up call?

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come.
Be Thou our guard while life shall last
And our eternal home.

Under the shelter of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure.
Sufficient is Thine arm alone
And our defense is sure.

Guide me, O Thou, Great Jehovah,
I am indeed a pilgrim
This time and land
And even your Word
Often feels very foreign.
I will trust you.

Songs of praises
I will ever sing to Thee.

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