Now God Will be Exalted

During our lives there is much that can throw us for a loop.  In addition to our own feelings and circumstances we can receive news that grieves our hearts.  This is my personal experience as I hear and see reports of the United States are as divided as ever.  It looks like the greatest threat to the prosperity and peace of the U.S. are the citizens of the States themselves.  Some people say election results are not trustworthy, and other say decisions of the Supreme Court are illegitimate.  People rejoice over increased gun control to reduce violence while others feel their rights are being infringed.  Lately people have celebrated abortion is no longer a federal mandate to save the lives of unborn whilst the other side believes their constitutional rights are being stripped away.  The strife, discord, threats and hatred of one another is palpable, and any outlook for peaceable, humble unity is grim.

For a believer it is not healthy or beneficial to be preoccupied or distressed by these developments, nor is it wise to place our faith in political sway or legislation.  I find it impossible to rejoice when these recent reports reveal a hardness of heart towards God and one another, devoid of the fear of God, of love for God and fellow man.  The argument was increased gun control doesn't keep criminals from breaking laws by stealing, buying or 3D-printing firearms; another argument was the restriction of abortion will not keep people from risking their health with "back alley" abortions.  Both of these arguments agree legislation cannot change the hearts and minds of people.  When we dig in our heels and refuse to budge for anyone--even God--the best and most equitable laws will not improve society at all.  Man will find a way to rebel and reject God to follow his own heart to destruction.  Recent conflicts reveal the schisms that already existed under the surface, and it seems there is no healing balm for them.

When David was overwhelmed he looked to the LORD with faith who rules and reigns on high, and this is an excellent example all ought to follow.  This morning I read Isaiah 33:5-6:  "The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. ⁶ Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure."  God is exalted, and blessed are those who exalt Him, who trust in His wisdom, knowledge and strength.  God's goodness and power will be the "stability of your times," and this is timeless truth we can rely upon.  No matter what happens in the world, who wins or loses an elections, regardless of the changing of legislation or a government, the one who fears the LORD is treasured by Him.  We protect what we treasure, and the LORD protects and provides for those who fear and love Him by His grace.

How the grieving and troubled hearts of God's people are lifted by the word of the LORD in Isaiah 33:10:  "Now I will rise," says the LORD; "now I will be exalted, now I will lift Myself up."  No one appointed or elected God who is alive and rises when He pleases to do His perfect will.  The drunkard and fearful person stumbles in the dark, but God rises and stands with power to save and deliver.  It does not matter if the enemy is from without or within, for He is our advocate and Saviour who gives eternal life, perfect peace and fullness of joy that is ours by faith in Jesus.  Those who hear the words of Jesus and do them He likens to a wise man who builds his house upon the rock that will endure the storm and flood.  He has made us upright by the power of the Holy Spirit, and so let us walk in the fear of the LORD and His timeless wisdom.  We cannot fix the broken world we live in, nor are we called to:  we are called to unite our hearts to fear His name, as much as depends on us to walk peaceably with one another, and to walk humbly with our God who is risen and is exalted on high.