Through the history of challenging social change, even when attacks come against the Lord’s people, God’s truth remains unchanged. The Lord does not abandon His people in a time of turmoil and persecution. As we read the book of Isaiah, it is as if we are reading the history of our lives in the present tense, revealing how God wants us to live in this moment of cultural upheaval.
There is a reason for the opposition that comes against the Church. “The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant” (Isaiah 24:5). The word “twisted” is translated as departing from God’s truth and making their way apart from Him. That decision will lead people away from God’s law and the protective borders of His covenant.
But there is a reward for those who live in obedience to God’s truth, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (26:3). This happens because our thoughts are fixed on the Lord, not on our misguided rebellious attempts to justify our sin and our disobedience.
All of this comes back around to affirm those who have not twisted God’s word, violated His instructions, and broken His covenant. It defines a different pathway of life.
“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name” (26:7-8).
Our trust in God glorifies His name and allows Him to keep us safe in His presence when the rest of the world is walking along a steep and impassable path created by their abandonment of God’s truth.
Our path will reveal perfect peace as we walk through life’s turmoil, keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord, who will smooth out the path ahead of us, offering us a different way to move forward.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
Featured Image by SEIMORI from Pixabay
