“Then he who saw cried out; upon a watchtower I stand, O Lord, continually by day, and at my post I am stationed whole nights.” Isaiah 21:8
Last week I read the story of a recent finding according to experts in the field of earthquakes. Their prediction was simple this, “California will face an earthquake on the scale of at least 7.5 in the fifty years.” The article continued with these words, “thousands will die,”
As I read those words, “the weight of the news became heavy on me.” I found myself asking, “What should my response be to the news I had heard?”
In Isaiah 21 we find these beginning words, “The oracle (weight) concerning the wilderness of the sea.”
Isaiah is in the middle of his writings concerning the judgment of God upon the nations of the world. As he writes we see the appearance of a strange word, “oracles.” This Hebrews word speaks of a great weight on the person’s heart who is tasked to share this word.
Think it through:
1. Isaiah is in pain because of this news, Vs:3
Isaiah openly weeps and is openly in mourning over what is about to happen to Babylon’s people. Here me clearly, “Babylon’s people.” God will judge Babylon and in Babylon are people. Just like Isaiah you and I must know that God is going to destroy the evil system in our world (Like Babylon), Rev. 17-18.
2. Isaiah is proactive because of the news, Vs: 8, 11-12
Isaiah does not just stand on the sidelines and watch as Jonah did (Jonah 4). He actively engaged in the proclamation of the word of God. This morning I want to join Isaiah by engaging my city with the gospel.
Our response:
This very day the news of God’s judgment could come true. This very day, God could return. I must not be silent and I must not sit on the sidelines. Help us Lord to engage everyone with the gospel while we have this day!!!