Its Always Darkest Before the Dawn

So justice is driven back, 
and righteousness stands at a distance; 
truth has stumbled in the streets, 
honesty cannot enter. 
Truth is nowhere to be found, 
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

Is 59:14-15a

As I read these words as a facebook post a few days ago, they resonated with my spirit in that way where you know God is saying something. While I had no problem understanding the picture that is painted and how relevant it is for the culture we live in, I was not sure what to do with it.

Reading through the whole of Isaiah 59, I was further disturbed. Words such as "No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity. They rely on empty arguments and speak lies..." and "They...spin a spider's web...Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make" describe so well our society where spin is king, where people have a belief that if they say something often enough and loud enough, it becomes true or that hiding or modifying the truth is justified by the ends they desire to meet. However, these words remind us that God is not deceived, God sees through all the webs we spin to cover ourselves and we reap the consequences (see verse 2).

Reading this, I have a sense of outrage that justice, righteousness, truth and honesty seem to have been rendered powerless. The words "evil prospers when good men do nothing" come to mind, and I wonder why, as Christians, we seem so ready to accept powerlessness as our lot? While a part of me wants to rise up and defend justice, righteousness, truth and honesty, though, I realise equally that they need no such defence. By defending or explaining the Truth I bring the focus back on me, and the Truth loses its power. However, equally I should not fear the Truth, but simply present it and allow it to speak for itself. As verses 19 and 20 promise us, remind us: God's glory will be revered, He will act.

Verse 21 follows with the promise that God's Spirit will come on us and His words will be in our mouths and that neither will ever depart from us. Chapter 60:1-3 completes the picture, noting that it is not so much our action or behaviour that brings this about, but the action of God on our lives as we lay down them down to join with His:

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,

and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth 

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

and His glory appears over you.

Nations will come to your light

and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

At times it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the darkness around us and to wonder if there is any hope. However, it is in times like this that we must stand boldly for what we believe, hold onto the Truth and not deviate one bit. We cannot afford to get distracted by what is going on around us, by the ebbs and flows of human opinion, but must keep our focus on God and what He is doing. There will come a time when the darkness will become irrelevant in the light of His glory and grace.