Although some say they were happy to throw 2020 out with yesterday's trash, it's not that easy. No matter your worldview, the outlook for 2021 is no more promising. If anything, there is a false sense of starting with a blank slate when, in actuality, it is simply the new mixed with a bunch of the old. It's not all bad, but as a Christian, when considering all the fear and chaos in 2020 that continues into 2021, I was praying this morning for strength and clarity. I landed on Isaiah 30.
(Note: The book of Isaiah views political and military events of the earliest centuries through the lense of the sole lordship of the one true God. ~ G.E. Wright)
During this time in history, Israel was situated between two powerful enemies, Assyria (to the north) and Egypt (to the south). The Lord promised Israel that He would protect and provide for them; however, when threatened by Assyria, Israel responded out of fear and impatience. Leaning on their own understanding and sinful ambitions, they sought an alliance with Egypt (a frenemy at the time). So imagine if Canada and Mexico were our adversaries and both were wealthier and more powerful than the US, with far more superior militaries. Then, imagine Canada threatens the US with a military invasion and complete take over of our country, and in response we turn to Mexico for protection despite our adversarial interests.
Israel had been instructed by God to not turn to these evil nations and to rely on Him alone. As a result of their rebellion they were rebuked by God through the prophet Isaiah.
1) Woe to the rebellious children! This is the Lord's declaration. They carry out a plan, but not mine; they make an alliance, but against my will, piling sin on top of sin. 2) Without asking my advice they set out to go down to Egypt in order to seek shelter under Pharaoh's protection and take refuge in Egypt's shadow. 3) But Pharaoh's protection will become your shame, and refuge in Egypt's shadow your humiliation. 4) For though his princes are at Zoan and his messengers reach as far as Hanes, 5) everyone will be ashamed because of a people who can't help. They are of no benefit, they are no help; they are good for nothing but shame and disgrace." (Is. 30:1-5)
This is not a message to the world. God is speaking to His own people here. They knew He was in control and that He would be faithful, and they knew to wait on Him, but the danger just got too close for comfort and they panicked. They did not have the patience and strength to endure. As a result, relying on their own wisdom, they would put themselves in the hands of the enemy. I pray we do not do the same! I pray we remain steadfast in obedience to the Word of God.
There is a stark difference between Israel's response in Isaiah 30 and how we are called to respond to the world in Hebrews 10.
19) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20) by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, 21) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Heb. 10:19-25)
Patience and strength are the fruit of our faith, and faith comes from knowing and experiencing Christ. If we do not equip ourselves daily by reading the Word and praying and meditating on truth; if we do not confess and repent; and if we do not come together regularly for fellowship and worship what will the Church look like in 2021? What will be the condition of our hearts? How will we respond when faced with the temptations of worldly ambitions? Where will our eyes turn in our fear and confusion? Will we panic and compromise? Will we put our faith in men and political powers? Will we recognize liberal theology? Will we even be equipped to do His work, or will we simply seek comfort and acceptance in our "conservative" bubbles?
We are called to be warriors of the faith not just weary travelers seeking shelter from enemy fire. We must have the strength to not only endure in the faith but to respond to a hurting and lost world. To do so we must draw near to our God through prayer, meditation and worship. We must equip ourselves with His armor (Eph. 6:10-20), and we must gather as a church body on a regular basis encouraging one another.
I, for one, do not want to be disgraced by my failure to distinguish between the faithful work and protection of my God and the false sense of security offered by this world. I do not want to be operating under panic and fear leading to compromise, but instead I want to face the enemy and the lost with bold confidence and a resolve to serve in obedience and faith. I will stumble and struggle in 2021 as I did in 2020, but my prayer is that I will consistently seek Him with a humble heart. The goal is not to prove my own strength (I am indeed weak), but to display God's grace and mercy in my own life and to do this for His glory alone.
"But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." Is. 50:7
