Megaphones and band aids

by Ben

I read Isaiah 24-27.

I read this section in the Message today and chapter 26 really jumped out at me. It really encapsulated some of my feelings and emotions about how God is dealing and will deal with the world. It has a sense of wanting an immediate action from God:

"You hold your hand up high, God,
but they don't see it.
Open their eyes to what you do,
to see your zealous love for your people.
Shame them. Light a fire under them" (26:11).

or as in the RSV:

"O LORD, thy hand is lifted up,
but they see it not.
Let them see thy zeal for thy people,
and be ashamed. Let the fire for thy adversaries consume them" (26:11).

Yet, the author seems to hold true to the idea that God is working in His own time:

"At that time, this song
will be sung in the country of Judah" (26:1a).

or as in the RSV:

"In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah" (26:1a).

Knowing even a piece of God's plan for the future makes the waiting bearable. Isaiah tries to relate to our feelings and desire for God's restorative justice. Our human nature cries out for balance and Isaiah puts this into words both as a call to God to meet our need and as a balm to comfort our impatience.