What Are you doing for What Ails You?

All of us have our valleys in life. All of us have our struggles. Where, or to whom, do we turn when the going gets rough?

The prophet Isaiah spoke to the Israelites regarding their response to trouble in the land. They were being attacked by the Babylonians, and were ultimately going to be invaded and conquered. But their men were slain way before the battles took place. They were slain by their refusal to turn to the Lord in the midst of their trouble.

What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. (Isa 22:1-2)

The Israelites were doing everything within their own power to defend themselves from the Assyrians EXCEPT repent and turn to the Lord.

You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago. And in that day the Lord GOD of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning, For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
(Isa 22:9-13)

The end result was that they would lose their position in the land that God had promised them. A position from which they were to be light to a dying world.

I will drive you out of your office, And from your position he will pull you down. (Isa 22:19)

Christ said that we as His people were God's city on a mountain, a light for the world to draw them to the Lord. Yet His seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation warned that if we aren't faithful to be what He has called us to be, we may find our candles being removed from their position.

We all have valleys. We all have troubles. Look to the Lord in the midst of your valleys and troubles, stand together as a church family, and shine your light to the glory of God.

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.