“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…to those who are wise in their own eyes.” – Isaiah 5:20-21
“The times, they are a changing…” were lyrics to a Bob Dylan song from 1964, five and a half decades ago. He could just as well have penned those words today, or the thousands of years ago during the life of Isaiah. Americans today live in a world where the words of the prophet ring loud and long. Just a quick glance into the troubles in the Middle East—or North Korea, China, Russia, or a dozen other nations—prove that the world has fallen into the traps of wickedness in high places.
The nation, and many of its leaders, are following a path of rebellion against the Word of God. And if America is not under judgment now, it is only a matter of time until it will be, and those times are “a changing’” at an accelerated pace.
There is still a chance for repentance in America. Yet, nothing but the prayers of the saints and the mercy of God can stop what is happening in those countries from happening in this nation, even though founded on Biblical principles. Christ-followers have the promise that Jesus is coming soon to take his Bride, the body of believers, away. What to do? It’s time to go to God in prayer for the nation, for the leaders, and for the next generation. It’s time to pray for a revival in America! It’s time to immerse yourself in God’s Word so that you can resist the wiles of the devil and stand up for righteousness. God is glorious, His grace and mercy are available to all who call upon His name! He is ultimately victorious, and will reign forever.
Today’s Verse: Isaiah 5:20-21
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 21:10-28
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness. 14 Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. 17 You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your lives.
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. 23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
