It’s been a while since I’ve written a new article. As I have reflected upon why that is, it came to me that I, like many of you, am simply stunned, to the point of disbelief, at where our country has arrived. Every day I have been astounded at how much worse things have gotten and how our so-called “leaders” have not only done nothing to stop the chaos, some have actively endorsed and encouraged it! Quite honestly, I have been struggling to write something because I didn’t know where to begin.
Then the Lord reminded me of these verses in the Book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 5:20-23:
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight!
22 Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink;
23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
Whenever we see the word, “woe” in the Bible, it is an indicator that judgment is coming. It’s too late to turn back; there are no more chances. God is going to act without mercy for the wickedness that has been perpetuated by those who were supposed to act in righteousness.
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
God is clearly saying, through the prophet, Isaiah, that those who lie about right and wrong, who purposefully convolute the truth for their own gain, political or financial, they will be judged. Are we seeing this happen today? Most definitely!! Since when did destroying other peoples’ property become lawful, legal and removed from consequences? Yet, it’s been happening for months all over the U.S.A. and the politicians turn their heads, make excuses, and blame others, rather than the criminals, for it.
“Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight!” If you spend any time at all listening to those who are “leading” the violent mobs, what you will hear is their “justification” for looting, destruction, beating up other human beings and shutting down cities. They are “wise in their own eyes,” but in reality, they are only “clever in their own sight.” Law-abiding citizens with common sense can see right through their lies. While they are enjoying their 15 minutes of fame, God will judge them as they are not only attacking innocent people, they are attacking the lawful structure set up by God to help keep a society from descending into the kaleidoscope of chaos that they are attempting to force on others and so eagerly embrace.
“Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink; who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!” Heroes are not those who drink the most alcohol, smoke the most marijuana, cook and use the most meth, or those who are good at altering their minds. Yet, today, with the push to legalize mind-altering drugs and place no limits on substances known to affect a person’s ability to control an automobile, some politicians and community leaders applaud this behavior.
[Woe to those] “who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!”
Money is used to “bribe” leaders to look the other way so that those whose agenda is anything but legal, can carry on with their violent activities, all in the name of “social justice.” While this is going on, the people who are “in the right,” who are losing their businesses, their homes, their lives and their children to the wicked, they are painted as the guilty ones.
Make no mistake! What God speaks through Isaiah will come to pass, in His time and in His way.
There is a principle found throughout God’s Word known as the “principle of sowing and reaping.” The apostle Paul reminds the church at Galatia of this truth, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
Those who are sowing the seeds of destruction will also reap destruction. Only the destruction that they will face (unless they are graciously saved by Almighty God), will be eternal destruction, forever in the lake of fire. The apostle John records this in the Book of Revelation, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (20:15).
Only those who have believed and received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will have their names in the Book of Life.
So, what do we, as believers, do with all that is going on around us, in our own cities and towns? Psalm 4 is a great place to start:
The Safety of the Faithful (A Psalm of David):
1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress;
have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
2 How long, O you sons of men, will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love worthlessness and seek falsehood? (Selah)
3 But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when I call to Him.
4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. (Selah)
5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.
6 There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
May the Lord keep your hearts and minds at peace as we witness the kaleidoscope of chaos that's going on around us.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
