Don’t get me wrong—I am very grateful for my country. I live in a land of plenty. I live in a country that people work hard to come to. America has long been the dream of many.
However, my entire life my country has been all about me. “I’ll do it my way.” “I am woman, hear me roar.” It’s all about the mighty ME. What happened to what our country was founded upon? What happened to “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free?” What happened to the Ten Commandments—the “Thou shalt nots?” We’ve become more the, “Thou shalt not tell me what I shalt not do!”
The message Isaiah was bringing to the people of Israel at the time he penned this was a judgement of God on them. He was tired of their selfishness, false piety, and rebelling against Him. As I read the first chapter of Isaiah this morning I thought how it could have been describing us today, “Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag,” (Isaiah 1:21-22).
Yet even in the midst of judgement there is hope. God, who is ever faithful and has patience beyond measure says through Isaiah, “Those who repent will be revived by righteousness,” (verse 27).
What can I do today to repent? Learn to Do Good. Seek Justice. Help the Oppressed. Defend the cause of Orphans. Fight for the rights of Widows. Sounds like a good place to start.
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