“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:18-20 NASB)

Our text reveals the grace of the Lord as he speaks through the poetic prophet Isaiah. Israel had backslidden from the Lord, lost their way as a nation. The offer God makes is an offer to reason with anyone who is angry at God or misunderstands his love towards humanity. “Let us reason together” is important because of those who think they know about God, to the degree that they shut off communication with him, may believe that they already know enough about God. The reality is that when I talk to people, they have a very slight if any understanding of God’s love and extended grace through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah is the most quoted old testament prophet in the New Testament second only to Psalms, precisely because of the many references to the coming Messiah, the first advent of Jesus Christ ( Isaiah 53:3-12).

There are two options God extended to each of the Israelites as he continues to offer to humankind today similarly. “If you consent and obey” you will be blessed; otherwise, it won’t go well with you over time. Refusing to reason with God via his Word given to man (now compiled in the Bible), leaves man to himself without a moral standard, with the chaos, with influences everywhere to an adulterous mindset, false religions, and massive folly that exists in the world.

By coming to the Lord through Jesus Christ to ask forgiveness, we have mercy for not acting out of love for God or towards others. Christ’s righteousness will cover us with His love. This is implied in the verse: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” (see Matthew 11:28, Revelation 3:20, Luke 15.7, 1 John 5:12)

What does God want from you? The answer is God wants you. Go to God, and he will draw near to you, and the powers of darkness will disappear and have no influence over you. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

The opposite, refusal to incline to listen to God despite his grace; or disregard for the need to  reform one’s life; or a collective national or international mindset disrespectful of God or others or his creation — via corruptions affecting the poor, children, the climate, nature’s balance, agricultural stability in the land, or the animal kingdom, will manifest chaotic trouble for individuals, and perhaps the people of a country’s populace, or the world in general (Rev 7:3; 9:4). The sword in Isaiah 1:19-20 means judgement is due: adversaries will be appointed to discipline waywardness by the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, which is another name for the Lord.  God is the Great Rearranger, who is always in control of both individual and mass discipline of his created children on earth, using whatever means to do so to wake humankind up. “Whom the Lord loves he disciplines” (Hebrews 12:6, Proverbs 3:2)

Why not instead come to the Lord and reason from the scriptures. There you will find grace. “Come to me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest”. (Jesus – Matthew 11:28) Here is a picture of God wooing his children back to himself, even though they had been historically wayward, ignoring him. He may be calling you in various ways also:

It will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the LORD their God, who will hear their cries…and their hearts will be made happy…Their children, too, will see it and be glad; their hearts will rejoice in the LORD. When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them. (Zechariah 10:6-7)

Further reading will give you more understanding on how to find life in Christ.

As we live within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic reality, many have asked: are we witnessing an apocalyptic period of God’s judgement – is this a curse for our universal wickedness? Such tough questions can drive us into an in-depth study of the New Testament. 

I have posited this query in a previous article. To ask it, we may be placing the New Covenant context into an overlap with the option of receiving God’s blessings for living holy obedient lives or his curses for disobedience and harm done to others, including the devastation of our natural habitat created by Yahweh. These are the very same blessings or curses of old Theocratic Israel or the apocalyptic doom of Revelation. You can see reflections of patterned teachings revealing that the Sovereign Lord of creation is constantly at work in the affairs of men. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow when it comes to bringing discipline through cause and effect in the ongoing affairs of collective humanity. 

The history in the Word of God reveals international political conflicts with ongoing military campaigns with both successes and failures among old Israel dependent on obedience to his covenant laws. For those who were led by godly men and women like Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David and Deborah, obedient living generally brings prosperous living conditions and peace in the neighbourhoods of the righteous. On the other hand, when Israel sinned, worshipping idols, robbing the proletariat, twisting justice, or downright denying prophetic warnings, history revealed elevated adversarial oppression, economic ruin, and dwindling food harvests blighted by the effect of pestilence, or villages plundered by enemies. Yahweh’s willingness to use extreme measures to accomplish his purposes is marvellous to behold. Things got so bad in Jeremiah’s day, despite his constant warning, that God raised up a warrior, King Nebuchadnezzar to exile Judah, and Israel to Babylon. 

In scripture, the prophets from Moses to Malachi always advised that the leaders and the people look to God and come under conscientious self-censure if adversarial military advances were imminent, food harvests failed, or pestilences occurred. They were to examine if causative sin brought on the catastrophic event and called for immediate repentance. The New Testament also begins with calls for repentance, first from John the Baptist, then Jesus and later his apostles as here noted:

• The apostle Paul noted: “the wrath of God is being revealed … against all ungodliness and unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18, NASB).
• Paul presents the Old Testament judgement history as precedent warnings written for our admonition: “examples to us” to heed (Romans 11:20–21;1 Corinthians 10:1–12). 
• For desecrating the Lord’s Supper, Paul warned the Corinthian church of their resultant illnesses and deaths. (1 Corinthians 11:30). In verse 29 Paul noted that the sickness and death were labelled “judgment” for sin (1 Corinthians 11:29) – yes even for believers in Christ, in the New Covenant era.
• Citing Proverbs, the writer of Hebrews 12 marks divine judgement as potentiation even for the believers. (Hebrews 12:5, 11, ESV).

God’s wrath comes with both warnings and mercy evidenced in the pattern of smaller catastrophes preceding greater ones, giving generous opportunity for repentance sooner rather than paying larger consequences later.(Habakkuk 3:2; 1 Chronicles 21:13). 

The Bible records both mercy and judgments offered for our historic admonition. Ten plagues of Egypt increased in severity prior to the Exodus. Why? A very stubborn Pharaoh influenced by his minions of sorcery “did not listen”; rather he “turned and went into his house with no concern even for this.” (see Exodus 7:22–23, NASB). God intensified the judgements to allow discernment to allow the leader of Egypt to wake up. Similarly, today, we are not to dismiss the extraordinary acts of God as quirks of nature, as only forces, we can subdue or harness with enough resilience and resourcefulness to magically turn into our profitable gain. 

Scripture labels this mindset, hardening the heart (Exodus 8:19; Proverbs 28:14). It is dangerous, and it is a process that God will allow to come finally to the forefront of judgement. Many Christians are trying to pinpoint eschatological evidence of where we are in history’s timeline to see if this COVID-19 pandemic lines up with the book of Revelation’s timing with the soon return of Christ as judge over the entire earth.

Rather than look at this crisis only in the context of the future as prophecy, I suggest that we assess the teaching of canonical scripture at our juncture of time – this stage of wicked adulterous moral collapse in this, our current period in 2020 of redemptive history. Over-emphasis on eschatological determinations can blind us in doctrinal complexity. I suggest we instead look at our Lord’s red-letter teachings in scripture. He offers solid prophetic confirmation to advise our consciences that something may be amiss in our personal lives. You can see what Jesus said would unwind in the last days is happening right now: “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”(Matthew 24:10-14) 

Or look at Christ’s parable of Jesus’ about the rich man and Lazarus indicating that many have judgement coming to them. (Luke 16:27–31). 

It is wise not to claim inerrant inspiration as we contemplate the woes of humanity under heaven as we see the resounding potential warning for biblical waywardness. Jeremiah expressed God’s frustration at how God’s own chosen people stubbornly closed their ears to many prophets “sent again and again” (Jeremiah 25:4, 29:19). Perhaps this indicts us too. 

Has God got our attention yet?

There have been many concerns expressed about suffering humanity, global warming, job losses due to globalization, and the moral degradation we are witnessing now in our world that I refer to as Digital Babylon. Perhaps we need to reflect on why God disrupts the human cycle of selfishness by terrifying means to call us into account. Though rare, global pandemics seriously affect international trading of the most prosperous, powerful nations—inherently prone to the prideful pursuit of profits and indifference – often adversarial – taunts toward God (Deuteronomy 8:10–14). 

Is this pandemic just a singular event in a pattern of God’s catastrophic warnings striking the world, especially North America, over the past 20 years: 9/11; Superstorm Sandy; hurricanes Katrina, Maria, Irma, and Harvey; California wildfires; Midwest tornado spikes; swine flu, and now COVID-19. 

We don’t need to look too far from our own back yard for reasons why we might face judgements. The Sovereign Lord has always opposed the pride of man, using plagues, and disasters to wake up the arrogance of humanity. James 4:13–17 condemns the sin of pushing back on God, living immoral lives as dysfunctional atheists – operating as though God is paying us no real attention – thinking that our security is bound to complex financial strategies, to protecting our bottom line.

God’s is concerned for the poor, the marginalized, the vulnerable orphan, widow, immigrant, and the refugee. Just look at the statement Jesus made as he wrapped up his sermon on the mount in the context how we live today: 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23

I doubt that the Lord of Life will allow prosperity to continue among a nation whose collective conscience is not concerned to stand up for the rights or means of others (Exodus 22:21–24; Deuteronomy 10:16–20; Isaiah 10:1–4; Jeremiah 5:28–29;  Malachi 3:1–6). Here is proof: “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13). Let us not harden our hearts and muffle the Spirit – write off these warnings as simple acts of nature, when the Sovereign Lord is in control of nature when “even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27. Shouldn’t we at least ask ourselves universally if we could be under divine judgment?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

It is beneficial for us to have occasional trials and troubles. Times of adversity often remind us that we are on probation here on earth and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. (Acts 14:22; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; Revelation 2:3)

It often helps build virtuous character which needs strengthening when we endure contradiction, especially if misjudged by men when we do well and mean well. With the Lord’s help, such struggles help us to be humble shielding us from vainglorious self-absorption. Recall how the Lord did not seek His own glory, yet His Father proclaimed his glory during the transfiguration, at the cross, at his resurrection, and in heaven. (John 8:50, Luke 9:35, 23:44-48; Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 3:22)

When by all outward appearances, men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Wisely rooted and firmly planted in relationship with God, there is little need for the consolations of men, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” Moreover, he knows our needs in every situation. (Psalm 139: 1-4; Matthew 6:8)

When a man of goodwill is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is devotion to and the sustaining of God’s comforting Spirit, without Whom he can do no good. (John 15:5; James 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Saddened by miseries and sufferings, despairing in our laments, we often pray more earnestly, listen more intently for guidances. If severely pressed, one may grow weary of life’s wrestle with adversity, yet press forward knowing the Lord’s reward: our final immortal renewal when we will be with Christ. (Romans 5:3; Psalm 13:1; Hebrews 11:10, 16; 13:14; Philippians 1:23)

Adversity works humility into our mindset when we understand fully that perfect security and complete peace is not of this world here on earth. (John 14:27; 1 Peter 2:19; 2 Peter 3:11)

Revised Version by Glen Jackman of Chapter 12: The Value of Adversity, Thomas à Kempis. (1996). The Imitation of Christ (p. 19). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:11)

When God created the universe, it was with the one object: making the creature, man, partaker of His perfection and blessedness. In this way, God potentiates the ongoing revealing to men and women, the glory of His love and wisdom and power.

God’s desire is to reveal Himself in and through created beings by communicating to them as much of His own goodness and glory as they are capable of receiving. But this transference must be communicated in unity with the Creator.

The human creature during creation could not; and still cannot possess God’s goodness and glory alone, as if owned separately in and of itself, of which it commands its own willpower to magnify and excel in good virtue independently. By no means.  God is the ever-living, ever-present, ever acting One, who upholds all things by the Word of His will and power. God must abide with mankind via His Spirit, individually, for it is Spirit from whom all things and all excellence of virtue exist. The relation of the creature to God could only be one of unceasing, absolute, universal dependence from which life’s energies and health in body, mind and soul emanate.

As truly as God by His power once created, so truly by that same power must God be creating in unification with man, in every conscious moment an inspiration in man to move toward the goal of spiritual maturity in a reborn experience unto godliness.

The genesis of mankind looking back to its origin and first beginning of existence must acknowledge that starting point when it owed everything to God; its chief care, its highest virtue and only happiness. It is ever the same, now and through all eternity. If we present ourselves as an empty vessel, in which God can dwell and manifest His power and goodness we will develop a godly mindset.

The life God bestows is imparted not once for all, but each moment continuously, by the unceasing operation of His mighty Spirit’s power. Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature, and the root of every virtue.

Pride or the exaltation of the self is the mental illness of the age — expressing the dire loss of this humility due to our disconnect from our Creator — the root of every sin and evil. In this AI world, this would be akin to robotic intelligence usurping man, its creator.

Pride, originates in the dark mind of satan, as the desire to be as God. This is the story of the temptation in the garden of Eden. In heaven and earth, pride, self-exaltation, is the gateway to the curse of hell.

Therefore it logically follows that nothing can provide restorative redemption, but the restoration of our lost humility, the original and only true relational proof of the unity man can have to God. Humility individually and corporately must be reinvigorated as a goal.

And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us. In heaven, He humbled Himself to become a man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; He brought it from there as God, the Creator of our universe seeking to restore men and women. Here on earth “He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death”. His humility gave His unjust trial and final condemnation of death its cognitive and emotive comparative value in the demonstration of Christ’s life of compassionate love, and so became our redemptive impetus of the Gospel. And now the salvation He imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of His own life and death, His own gentle disposition and Spirit, His own humility, as the ground and root of His relation to God (as the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and His redeeming work. Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the virtuous destiny of man, by His life of perfect humility. His humility in life offered us absolute trust in His path to salvation via His atonement. His self-sacrificing death for our salvation offers us our view of the virtue of humility.

And so the life of the saved ones, of the saints, must bear this stamp of deliverance from sin, and full restoration to their original state; their whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility. Without this there can be no true abiding in God’s presence or experience of His favour and the power of His Spirit; without this no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength.

Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure among humankind. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others; it is the root start-point of growing into all the good virtues, because it alone takes the right attitude before God, and allows Him as God to do all.

God has given us the enablement of reasonable minds. Yet the call to humility has been little apprehended. It is only when we get the sense of our entire life’s reliance upon God that we begin to realize our dependence, and need for an understanding that we need to learn how to live in humility. To see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all. Every man and woman must realize sooner or later that humility is the juncture of character development unto true nobility. Only by consenting to submit his will, his mind, and his affections to Christ, to be a vessel in which the life and glory of God can work and manifest right living will the reflection of his or her humility glorify God. This is simply acknowledging the truth of our creaturely position as a human, made in God’s image, yielding to God His place.

In the life of earnest Christians, of those who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness. It is often said that it is not so. Perhaps the teaching and example of the Church has never viewed the virtue of humility nor given it the place of supreme importance which belongs to it. Again, this may be owing to the neglect of teaching this truth.

There is a wider and mightier influence in life for those who are open to it: that which makes the angels, that which made Jesus, that which makes the holiest of saints in heaven, so humble; that the first and chief mark of the relation of the creature, the secret of his blessedness, is the humility and nothingness which leaves God free to direct such lives. ¹

¹ Glen Jackman’s Glen Jackman’s summary edit of Andrew Murray’s thinking. of Andrew Murray’s thinking. This is from Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (pp. 11–16). New York; London; Glasgow: Fleming H. Revell. (1800) In the public domain.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Christians of all denominations are sharing Psalm 91, a psalm which promises protection from pestilence, aka plagues. It is taken equally as serious as John 3:16. It seems valid to state that all things that occurred as punishment in the old covenant are now referred to in the apostolic epistles to Christians as important warnings. (2 Peter 3:8-14, 1 Corinthians 10:10-13)

In this study, I am not referring to individual illnesses such as cancer or any other weakness in the body’s DNA that brings on illness or death. I am referring to a collective judgement of a similar punishment among one or more nations. And I do not refer to those individuals, especially the deceased, caught up in the international epidemic as it sweeps the globe. Whenever there is a country or countries chastised by God, many suffer corporately.

It stands to reason if we seek protection as promised in Psalm 91, in keeping with the blessings versus curses law – deliverance from fatal epidemics – we must agree: that both the curses for disobedience to our covenantal agreements with God and potential blessings for righteous obedience apply across the covenants as does the curse of death unto all men. (see Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Malachi 2:2). In the New Covenant after the crucifixion, we have the promise of the imputed righteousness of Christ, the joy of the Passover and Easter holiday season (Romans 4:24 NLT). This is comforting if we are allowing the indwelling Spirit of Christ to sanctify us. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

When King David took a census of the people against God’s will, Gad, David’s seer spoke God’s Word to him: “You may choose three years of famine, three months of destruction by the sword of your enemies, or three days of severe plague as the angel of the LORD brings devastation throughout the land of Israel. Decide what answer I should give the LORD who sent me.” (1 Chronicles 21:12)

Before the exile to Babylon Jeremiah warned Judah’s leaders of pending judgement via King Nebuchadnezzar which eventually lasted 70 long years. God’s judgements historically frequently involve warring nations. It is noteworthy that Socio-Political philosophers such Norm Chomsky are saying that nuclear war could be closer than we think given international chaos and the poor state of democratic leadership. As recent as January 28, 2020, allegations that a US biochemist at Harvard University was selling information to the Wuhan University of Technology.

If applied today, the curse of the COVID-19 crisis is perhaps some form of judgment for the sins across the globe among nations with infected victims. And we know that cause and effect works in nature created by God as well. To bridge the argument: curses effectively would apply to the New Covenant instituted by Christ’s Atonement on the cross applicable to the entire world, just as would the promises extend to the Christians referred to the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7 NLT) Christ prophesying through the Apostle John noted that during the seven last plagues, that 66% of the world’s population will not repent due to sorcery or sexual immorality as in the days of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. Luke 17:26, Matthew 10:15, Revelation 9:21).

Ezekiel refers to any country that offends Yahweh; he threatens to send any number of curses, including economic trouble, food shortages and pandemics. (Ezekiel 14:12-19 NLT)

I do not refer to the ceremonial laws given to Israel by Moses, such as sacrificing animals, which pointed to Christ’s redemption on the cross. I refer primarily to the ten moral precepts of the Decalogue, generally referred to as the commandments of God. These rules are permanent directives that govern a good life. Jesus reduced the ten to two laws echoing the teaching of Moses (Mark 12:30-31, Deuteronomy 6:4-5. Leviticus 19:18) referred to as the royal summary law. He also noted: if you love Me – keep my commandments. This is further taught by his disciples. (John 14:15, Romans 12:9, 13:9-10, James 2:8, Galatians 5:14) Jesus also made it clear that before His second advent when he comes with all his angels to judge the world, he is looking for a people that live in accord with these moral commandments through the indwelling Holy Spirit. (John 15:5, Romans 8:2, 14, 29, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 2 Corinthians 6:6, 1 John 2:20)

In the book of Revelation, as transcribed by the Apostle John, Jesus makes it clear: He will save the folks who both hold the faith of Jesus and adhere to the moral law as a necessary standard on earth, from the final crisis of this world. (Revelation 14:12)

Psalm 91 presents protection or obedience when in a relationship with God. These promises are transferred to the New Covenant. Bear in mind that it was Christ who was with the Jews leading Moses as he freed them from Egyptian slavery. 1 Corinthians 10:4

I have distilled the primary texts to pray over, which you can also do with your own Bible:

1. He who DWELLS IN THE SHELTER of the Highest will abide in the presence of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord: “MY PLACE OF REFUGE – my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver me from the snare of the deadly pestilence. Ps 91:2-3
2. You will not fear the terror of the pestilence though you can’t see it — the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand near you, but it will not come near you. Ps 91:5-7
3. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place — your refuge — no plague will come near you — for the Lord will command his angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. Ps 91: 9-11
4. Because you stay close to me in love, I will deliver and protect you because you know my name — Jesus. When you call to me, I will be with you to rescue you in trouble — and honour you with deliverance unto long life. Ps 91: 14-16

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name. (Psalms 23:1-3 NLT)

How the Lord uses our restlessness The uncomfortable places, the troubling questions about faith and scripture, life and humanity, may bring a sense of disturbing anxiety in your spirit. This is precisely where and when we need to assess our experience. Focus there, and pray to the Lord to reveal what he may be saying to you. Pray about what you may perceive is making you restless.

Prayerfully ask the Lord to give you guidance if a specific area of your life disturbs you, and see what He may be doing. He may be leading and reshaping you in the positive sense; or trying to get your attention to save you from danger or a mistake by showing you how to sidestep wrong paths, as his representative child. He may lead you to the answer by scripture, by his still small voice of conscience, by a sermon or a person.

If you feel out of control. If what it is troubling your spirit continues, stick with praying over the promises below asking the Holy Spirit lead you. Check your will, surrendering all to him. You’ll then honestly want to know what he may be trying to tell you about your current life opportunities or a present risk that you may be facing. If you feel overwhelmed, feeling like you are in over your head in some problematic area, or a lifestyle habit, remember that your God, Jesus, walked on water and will help you overcome if you ask Him.

Bible Promises to Encourage Your Faith

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21