By Larry Jent
Friday Scripture: Isaiah 1
Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
Isaiah heard God saying,
C’mon. Let’s talk it over.
It’s pretty simple, really.
If you love God, then look after people on the edges of life.
Stand in the gap for those who cannot stand for themselves.
Native people call this the warrior mentality.
True warriors do not walk by blind rage or machismo.
Real warriors care for the weak and voiceless ones.
They do not seek honor and glory.
Their honor is to serve Someone bigger than themselves.
And our greatest warriors are always women.
Viruses, masks, quarantines, and social distance cannot keep warriors from being warriors.
Isaiah was a priest in the temple–and a warrior for God.
His life was full of rituals and protocol.
But God told him none of that stuff was important.
Just care for those who need you the most.
So when things get too confusing, just talk it over with God.
Remember to make the main thing the main thing, and let go of the other stuff.
It’s pretty simple, really.
Now let us have a little talk with Jesus
Let us tell Him all about our troubles
He will hear our faintest cry
He will answer by and by
Now when you feel a little prayerwheel turning
And you know a little fire is burning
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right