December 12: Real Men (and Women) Ask for Directions
by Louise
Real Men (and Women) Ask for Directions, based on Isaiah 31:1-10
ABOUT OUR DECEMBER PREACHING THEME
Past Imperfect, Present Tense, Future Indicative
During Advent, Pastor Louise’s sermons will look in two directions: back to the past to explore ancient biblical prophecies and forward to the future, to catch a glimpse of hopeful prospects. What we see in those two directions has much to offer us as guidance for our lives today, in a world that is broken and fearful, where even now God is working to mend and reconcile. Scripture witnesses to a profound hope that is more truthful than nostalgia and more powerful than wishful thinking. What is the “peace of Christ” and how does it make a difference in our hearts and relationships? Where is the evidence of it? What does it call us to do? You’re invited to share your thoughts and ideas…
Isaiah 31:1-10
31Alas for those who go down to Egypt for help and who rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!2Yet he too is wise and brings disaster; he does not call back his words, but will rise against the house of the evildoers, and against the helpers of those who work iniquity.3The Egyptians are human, and not God; their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble, and the one helped will fall, and they will all perish together.4For thus the Lord said to me, As a lion or a young lion growls over its prey, and—when a band of shepherds is called out against it— is not terrified by their shouting or daunted at their noise, so the Lord of hosts will come down to fight upon Mount Zion and upon its hill.5Like birds hovering overhead, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it, he will spare and rescue it.
6Turn back to him whom you have deeply betrayed, O people of Israel.7For on that day all of you shall throw away your idols of silver and idols of gold, which your hands have sinfully made for you.8“Then the Assyrian shall fall by a sword, not of mortals; and a sword, not of humans, shall devour him; he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be put to forced labor.9His rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic,” says the Lord, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
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In this sermon I’m trying to engage another metaphor for the change and turning God calls us to in preparation for the coming Realm of peace and justice. “Repent” is the biblical term, but it’s become so freighted with judgmentalism that we don’t understand it as the process we undergo for real life. The Isaiah text this week speaks of God’s “highway” which suggests all kinds of journeying ideas. Do you have any examples from your own life about getting lost, finding the way, getting back on track? I’d love to hear about it!
Comment by Pastor Louise December 5, 2010 @ 7:05 am