Pastor's Corner: Isaiah 54:17 provides ample verbal defense
Hello! I had decided during the month of September that I would share with you some of my favorite bible verses. I am finding it difficult to narrow them down for you. I have one in mind as I type this article. This is a scripture that I wasn’t familiar with most of my life.
In fact, I am 56 years old, and the first time that I heard this scripture was probably in my late 30s. I’m sure that Joyce Meyer is the one that introduced this scripture to me. It is found in Isaiah 54:17. It reads, “No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord.”
I pray this verse often especially when I feel like I’ve been mistreated and/or misrepresented. We’ve all been there. We have been prejudged or falsely judged. We have had our spoken or written words taken out of context. We have had people that we may not even know speak ill of us only on the basis of hearsay.
It’s not easy to be a Christian especially when we feel like we are under attack for no reason. When we are falsely accused or someone that we love is falsely accused or, heaven forbid, someone says something about one of our children, we can quickly become defensive. Especially the latter reference as my Momma Bear Claws can be quick and very sharp!
Have you ever heard the phrase, “I can say anything bad that I want to about my family, but you better not say anything bad about them.”? You’re there. Your dander is up. Your claws are out.
What next? Do you lash out? Do you rip someone up one side and down the other? Do you school someone in a manner that leaves them wounded and retreating? Or as a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ do you look to Him and His Word for guidance, direction and as an example?
There were many times when Jesus just was falsely accused, and yet He never said a word in His defense. Now that requires a monumental level of maturity, strength and faith.
Jesus would have known the verse in Isaiah 54:17. I wonder if when Jesus was falsely accused, which was often, if He would go to the Father and pray those words, “Father, please do not let the words of those who come against me proser. But, instead, Father, let them be proven to be in the wrong. I lift up to you, Father, the words found in Isaiah the 54:17 as a prayer to you this day.”
I have to wonder if before Jesus went to the cross if those words may have been uttered by Him? We know that on the cross Jesus said to those very individuals that were hurling accusations against Him, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
If we are indeed followers of Jesus the Christ then we are called to strive to live as He lived. We have to let God be our vindicator even against the smallest of offenses that come against us. We are called to be a light in this world. We are called to be salt in this world. We are here to shine light in the dark places, and to not lose our zest for life or our love for those around us, even those that come against us. God has provided all that we need in His Word.
This morning I heard Joyce Meyer say that for a Christian forgiveness is vital. She said something that will stay with me for a long time to come. She said someone may not necessarily deserve your forgiveness for the harm they have caused you, but you most definitely deserve the Peace that forgiving them affords to you.
We never lack for areas in our lives to improve upon. I believe that I could live a thousand years and at the end of those thousand years would still have flaws in my character that need perfected.
That’s because you and I are human. Yet, no matter how long we have on this earth, each one of us can strive to live our lives in the manner that Jesus did. He was loving, kind, peaceful, joyful and forgiving to those with whom His path crossed. Those moments when it feels as if we want to lash out instead of showing love, kindness, peace, joy and forgiveness our Father has given us the words of Isaiah 54:17 to pray often, loudly and with conviction knowing that God’s word never ever returns to us void. May you be blessed this day with the Peace that forgiveness affords to you and those you love.
Love and Blessings.
Rev. Lynette Barnett pastors at First United Methodist Church, Forrest and Chatsworth
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pastor's Corner Rev. Lynette Barnett Isaiah 54:17 Bible
