I read Isaiah 59 this week and something leaped off the page. Here is 59:13-15.
“Transgressing and denying the Lord, and turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving in and uttering from the heart lying words. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Yes, truth is lacking; and he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey. Now the Lord saw, and it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice.”
Brothers and sisters, it is our responsibility to testify to the Lord, His goodness, His mercy, His compassion. But also, to testify of His justice, of His truth, of His judgment. Verse 15 is appropriate in our day: “And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.” Evil seeks to destroy God’s witness in the earth. What shall we do?
English author Edward Lytton wrote a poem in 1839. A line in his poem has lived on to this day, quoted and immortalized for the simple truth it makes clear. Here is the full context of that statement.
“True, — This! Beneath the rule of men entirely great, The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch-enchanters wand! Itself a nothing! — But taking sorcery ...
