The Old
Testament prophets were sent to hard-hearted people. People who were
very much into religion with all its rituals and traditions, but very
much into serving other things rather than God. They were great at
formality--they had all the practices of faithfulness on visual
display--but they were totally void of any heart relationship with God.
God knew that because they had no concern for those in need, none of
the loyalty of kindness for each other, no humility in their
relationship with Him. They walked in their own ways; they lived as if
He saw nothing they did. They served other gods, the world's
prosperity, and a false image--of their own making--of the true God they
claimed to worship. They had redefined Him to fit their own lifestyle
and perspective. They even had a golden calf they named "Jehovah."
And the prophets had to try to reach such people! We need to as well. There are plenty of such people still around--especially in our country where we believe that "American" and "Christian" are synonymous. Sadly, the prophets knew in advance that they were not going to have a great deal of success. What then kept them going--other than their deep commitment to their calling? They hoped by God's grace to reach the one. If just one heard and turned back to God, they would be delighted. God would still have His faithful remnant in place in the midst of His people. One could always lead to two, or, better yet, to the one's family and friends.
But something else kept the prophets going as well, something else motivated them to teach, warn, and exhort among a cold-hearted people. What was it? Even if they couldn't reach the one, they could be the one. Though no one followed, they could follow. They would be the light that God needed no matter what it cost them. So even if darkness came, they would have the light of His presence with them. And then in the darkness, perhaps then at last, they could reach the one humbled by God and ready to return and embrace the light.
As we look around us at those who claim the name of Christ but worship other gods and mammon, at those who have twisted the character of God to fit their own vision, we must with broken hearts share the truth of who He is and what He requires of the faithful. We must pray that God will use His Word to reach the one. And until that happens, no matter what our faithfulness costs us, we must continue to be the one. We must "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God."
And the prophets had to try to reach such people! We need to as well. There are plenty of such people still around--especially in our country where we believe that "American" and "Christian" are synonymous. Sadly, the prophets knew in advance that they were not going to have a great deal of success. What then kept them going--other than their deep commitment to their calling? They hoped by God's grace to reach the one. If just one heard and turned back to God, they would be delighted. God would still have His faithful remnant in place in the midst of His people. One could always lead to two, or, better yet, to the one's family and friends.
But something else kept the prophets going as well, something else motivated them to teach, warn, and exhort among a cold-hearted people. What was it? Even if they couldn't reach the one, they could be the one. Though no one followed, they could follow. They would be the light that God needed no matter what it cost them. So even if darkness came, they would have the light of His presence with them. And then in the darkness, perhaps then at last, they could reach the one humbled by God and ready to return and embrace the light.
As we look around us at those who claim the name of Christ but worship other gods and mammon, at those who have twisted the character of God to fit their own vision, we must with broken hearts share the truth of who He is and what He requires of the faithful. We must pray that God will use His Word to reach the one. And until that happens, no matter what our faithfulness costs us, we must continue to be the one. We must "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God."
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