Amanuensis

Isaiah 1:15-20  When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

These are my Words. This is my message to you. It is direct, honest, even brutal – yet honest and given to you in love that you might correct yourselves and return to a real relationship with me. This is why so many of my churches, so many who purport to represent me reject the Old Testament. It is Truth openly and honestly stated as it was here in the words I gave my prophet Isaiah so many years ago, words that so many ignore and even openly preach against. Yes, I am a God of love. I am a God of forgiveness. I am a God who sacrificed himself that you might live eternally in the presence of your Father. Yet, I am also the God of these words. I am also the God of perfection and obedience and honor. You cannot choose one over the other. Both are part of a complete picture of your God. I do not limit myself to your desired version of me. Therefore, I do not allow open and blatant sin and rejection of my Truth.

Ah, my children, this is my message to you. Repent. Obey. Stop living a lie. You go to Church, you pray, you lift your hands in worship, you listen to the message given by your teachers. Then, you walk out the door and live an unrepentant life of sin. You do not obey. You do not offer your whole lives as a sacrifice of worship to me. You do not recognize the author and giver of life. You pay homage to me once a week, some of you sporadically when you read my Word or pray. Yet, your inner lives are black. Your outer deeds prove you do not truly recognize me in your life, you do not honor my presence, you do not respect me, you do not feel gratitude for all that I have given you and done for you. You open the door to your own destruction and when things are dire and you need help, you expect me to instantly save you and fix your lives. Choose your path. So far, most of you are on the broad road to eternal destruction. I will not make that choice for you. I will, however, honor whatever choice you make.

Jeremiah 6:10-15 “To whom can I give warning? Who will listen when I speak? Their ears are closed, and they cannot hear. They scorn the word of the Lord. They don’t want to listen at all. So now I am filled with the Lord’s fury. Yes, I am tired of holding it in! I will pour out my fury on children playing in the streets and on gatherings of young men, on husbands and wives and on those who are old and gray. Their homes will be turned over to their enemies, as will their fields and their wives. For I will raise my powerful fist against the people of this land,” says the Lord. “From the least to the greatest, their lives are ruled by greed. From prophets to priests, they are all frauds. They offer superficial treatments for my people’s mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all – they don’t even know how to blush! Therefore, they will lie among the slaughtered. They will be brought down when I punish them,” says the Lord. 

And so it will be. My children choose not to listen. They will not hear my voice. Soon the day will come when I stop trying to communicate with you. I will just move to direct action against you. Every choice has a consequence, whether it be beneficial or not. Your decisions are bringing consequences. You can change paths, but not for much longer. The day will arrive when free will ends, when your ability to alter your path is no longer a reality. You do not know my timeline, nor will it be announced. Like a thief in the night, as I have told you. Be ready.

Jeremiah 4:22  “My people are foolish and do not know me,” says the Lord. “They are stupid children who have no understanding. They are clever enough at doing wrong, but they have no idea how to do right!” 

This is what you see when you look around. You see a world of people who do not know me. You see many, many who profess to know me, who call themselves my followers, yet do not know me at all. They know a version of me that they have created to make themselves feel better. They know a perverted version of my Word that they have cleverly crafted to please themselves and that allows them to continue to live in their sin.  They “know” what they want to know. But they do not know me. They do not know the Father. They do not know my Word. And they condemn those of you who do know me. You are a threat to them, to their way of life, to the power they have over others. You are a thorn in their side. So be it. Continue to challenge them. Continue to stand for Truth, for me. Continue to disrupt their spiritual lives – which, in fact, are dead. As long as they draw breath, they may come to a saving knowledge of me. So, I would have you continue in this battle for two reasons: one, to save your Nation – to bring it to a repentance that will lead to a real relationship with me; and two, to save individuals from the clutches of the enemy. That is what I have for you. That is why I chose you. I will help you, but I need you to submit to my plan. I need you to choose to serve me, and your fellows, in this way.

Isaiah 45:21-23 “Gather together and come, you fugitives from surrounding nations. What fools they are who carry around their wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save! Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the Lord? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to me.” 

You know these things to be true. And, so, you have faith in me and in my promises. And because of that faith, you are not undone by the world around you. You are not influenced by the lies of your enemy. You are not captive to the fear that is suffocating your fellows. You are not of this world, so you are not ultimately swayed by what is of this world. You are mine and you are covered by my love. You are mine and your mind is protected from lies. You are mine and you are not fearful of what man can do to you. Yes, there is apprehension. Yes, I would still have you act wisely and not walk into danger when not necessary. Yes, you know fear from time to time for those you love. But, you do not make important decisions – eternal decisions – based on earthly fears. That is why you are able to stand firm. That is why you are able to stand for what you believe – for what I have taught you. I will protect that. Just stay by my side. Look up, not around. Listen to my voice, not that of this world, of your enemies. And share. Share my Truth. Often. Tirelessly. Your obedience in this could save another from an eternity spent outside of my presence. There is no greater gift you can offer to another.

Isaiah 63:19 Sometimes it seems as though we never belonged to you, as though we had never been known as your people.

Isaiah 64:3-5  When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways. But you have been very angry with us for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved? 

I know you feel that way. I know you wonder whether your Nation had ever really been my people. But you were. And, there is a remnant that remains mine still. I have not abandoned you completely. I have not abandoned you forever. Yet, your people need to remember who I am and who you once were. You need to remember your covenant relationship with me. You need to remember who saved you, who propped you up, who made you a sovereign nation. You need to remember all that I have done for you. You need to remember all of this and repent, humble yourselves and ask forgiveness.  Get on your knees and remember who is God and who is not. Then, I will hear you. Then I will respond to you. Only then will I return to your land. But if you will not, then your Nation will continue on its path to utter destruction. You long ago handed over the power to your enemy. He sounded like your ally. He looked like one of you. He seemed to be a patriot looking after the best interests of your Nation. Yet, he deceived you. He lulled you into compliance. He kept you looking the other way as he pillaged your land and your society. You have time – very little, but you do have time. But, you must act quickly. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-6   We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

This is how you wage war. This is how you win souls back. My weapons. My armor. My Word. You are to strike down the lies and manipulations and obfuscations of your enemies. They are waging war on my children by molding thoughts and then those thoughts into actions that are contrary to my Word and my commands. They are subtle and relentless in their assault on the hearts, souls and minds of my children. Do not allow them any quarter. Spend time in my Word, in prayer, in communication with me. Just as a soldier in any war needs direct, constant communication with his commanders and his fellow soldiers, you need constant direct communication with me and fellowship with other believers. Talk to me. Pray. Seek my face. Listen to my voice. Pay attention to my Spirit in you. 24/7. For that is when the battle is being waged around you and against you – 24/7. It does not take a break. Your enemies do not rest. They do not give you a breather. They rail against you – at times blatantly but always subtly, in the background of everything, barely audible yet always palpably present. Those who do not know me or who are weak in their faith are the easiest victims, and the hardest to win back. I have put you here at this time for this battle. Fight for them. Fight to restore me to my rightful place in your Nation. Then your world. 

Jeremiah 5:20-229   “Make this announcement to Israel, and say this to Judah: Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Have you no respect for me? Why don’t you tremble in my presence? I, the Lord, define the ocean’s sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’ Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait for victims like a hunter hiding in a blind. They continually set traps to catch people. Like a cage filled with birds, their homes are filled with evil plots. And now they are great and rich. They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?” says the Lord. 

And yet, they would blame me for all that is wrong in this world. They would deny truth about why your world is what it is: their sin. Their perversion of my Word. Their blatant service of self. Their violence against others. Their taking advantage of those who cannot defend themselves. Or, more senseless yet, they would deny my existence. In both instances, the desired result is that they are their own gods. And this, as always, is the root sin of man – trying to be me. Trying to be sovereign over all. Trying to emulate my power, my knowledge, my wisdom, my position. You do not acknowledge who I am – and who you are. So, you do not respect me. You do not live as my creation – you try to live as creator. You are worse than a toddler battling for independence – for a toddler has yet to reach the ability to think critically. A toddler has not yet come to full knowledge and understanding of the world around him. A toddler cannot be faulted for a lack of discernment, a lack of knowledge, a lack of wisdom. The same cannot be said about you. You choose ignorance. You choose arrogance. You choose lives of blatant disobedience. You choose to separate yourselves completely from me – even while saying you are my children. Away from me until you repent. And if you do not, the destruction of your world and your people will surely continue. My protective covering is over my true children, not those in blatant rebellion. 

Isaiah 49:7 The Lord, the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is the servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” v. 23 “Those who trust in me will never be put to shame.”

Do not forget these words, these promises. Yes, you are rejected now. Yes, you are held in disdain. Yes, you are targeted for persecution. Yes, they wish to silence you – even to end you. Yet, I chose you. I gave you the ability to see Truth, to speak Truth, to withstand the hatred and harm. I will be by your side. And when this is over, you are the ones who will be elevated. You are the ones who will be treated with respect. Do not let what is said about you, what is done to you, the slings and barbs and attitudes of others, even those you love – do not let any of that sway you, affect you, change your course, change your focus or beliefs. You are pleasing me. You are doing what I ask of you – exposing Truth. That is all that matters. 

Isaiah 62:6-7   O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord. Give the Lord no rest until he completes his work, until he makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth.

I have called you to pray. I have called you to pound the doors of Heaven continually. Pray for your Nation. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your world. Pray for your communities. Pray for repentance. Pray for deliverance. Pray for my hand to quell all evil in your midst. Pray for strength. Pray for courage. Pray for wisdom. Pray for discernment. Pray for all to come to see Truth. Pray for salvation. Pray when you don’t know what to pray for. I know your needs. You fear you have no effect in this battle. Yet, when you pray, you are a frontline warrior in this war. And, consistent prayer – consistent communication with me – that is what keeps you in the battle. That is what keeps you from becoming overwhelmed. That is what keeps you able to continue. That, more than anything else, is what you and your world needs. Prayer.

Isaiah 59:1-15  Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption. No one cares about being fair and honest. The people’s lawsuits are based on lies. They conceive evil deeds and then give birth to sin. They hatch deadly snakes and weave spiders’ webs. Whoever falls into their webs will die, and there’s danger even in getting near them. Their webs can’t be made into clothing, and nothing they do is productive. All their activity is filled with sin, and violence is their trademark. Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Misery and destruction always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace or what it means to be just and good. They have mapped out crooked roads, and no one who follows them knows a moment’s peace. So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. Even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though it were dark. Among the living we are like the dead. We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it never comes. We look for rescue, but is is far away from us. For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the Lord. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. 

This is where you find yourselves today. You as a society have chosen this path. Many of you who believe in me have chosen to ignore what has been happening for a long time now. So, whether you actively participated in the orchestration of this evil, or were passive participants by not intervening and fighting it, here you are. Neck deep in it. Being controlled by it to one extent or another. What are you going to do? If you are waiting for someone to jump in and save your society, your Nation, your world – well then you will go down with it. This is your battle. Each and every one of you. Either fight to bring back righteousness, faith, morality, justice or stop complaining and slide down the slope to utter darkness. But, hear me: If you are going to complain about it then do something. I will help you. I will not jump in and fix it. That would be a useless gesture which you would not value and would, ultimately, throw away.