April 14, 2019 -- Isaiah 33:5-6 -- What is your gold standard?
/The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
He will be the sure foundation for your times,
a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV
What would you say is the “foundation of our times”? What does the government base its decisions on? Public school curricula, what is its foundation? From what foundation do media and science operate? You may wonder—how do such different disciplines and spheres of life relate to this question of foundations. The foundation is the worldview, the basic understanding of what ultimately motivates a person, a society, a government to make decisions, to act or react or plan.
If we examine Canada today, we will notice that the prevailing worldview is that mankind (oops, Trudeau will object to this) okay then “peoplekind” is the measure of all things—which belief traces back to Protagoras. His philosophy was that it is there is no god or unchanging moral law as the basis of society but people are the ultimate source for values.
If man (people) are the measure of all things: This is why babies are disposable in our society. Old people or the infirm can be jettisoned and the mysterious term “euthanasia” used to cloak it as if there were some good in this. Sexual morals are constantly changing with every new poll. And whoever is in power begins to dictate according to his or her whims. There are less freedoms as people are to conform to the worldview and honour the wavering, ever-changing foundations which the leadership (whatever political stripe or party) demands.
In sharp contrast the Word of God shows us the expansive worldview which reveals the Living God as the standard of right and wrong, of justice and right-living. Where the LORD is acknowledged as the foundation from which all decisions and actions are undertaken people do not wake up each day wondering what new turpitude will be held up as the gold standard for the day. God is the King Who reigns forever and ever. His standard and His laws are the only stable basis for a just society. He is blessed and worshiped for He alone is from eternity and to eternity and perfect in His thoughts, perfect in His ways, perfect in His justice, perfect in HIs dealings with people.
Today I invite you to something radical—wake up and defy the culture by going to church. Learn Who God really is. Understand the greatness of the life that can be yours in Jesus Christ. Church will seem strange for those who are fully immersed in the world and its systems. And it is foreign because the people who attend church have lifted their eyes and our souls to Him Who alone is the foundation of our times. Those who gather for worship delight in God and understand the times for train-wreck that they are and know God is fully in charge. He blesses His people with the sure knowledge of past promises, His current Lordship, and His final and sure victory which is “yes” and “amen” in Jesus Christ.
The government of the day and the philosophies of society which are enforced by an increasingly tyrannical government do not cause Christians to fear them. Christians honour God. Christians “fear the LORD”. This term “fear of the LORD” means we love the Living God and serve Him alone. We fear bringing dishonour to His Name by our actions or words. We fear the LORD with reverent worship. We fear the LORD as He is holy. We fear the LORD with thanks and blessing because Jesus and His sacrifice at Calvary covers our sins and makes us fit to be sons and daughters of the Most High God.
God of Majesty and Justice You formed the heavens and the earth and made wisdom to be its foundation. Jesus, You are the Sovereign—over rulers and princes, tyrants and prime ministers—forever blessed and trustworthy. Spirit of the Living God, You reveal the meaninglessness of our times and bankrupt values of the world systems even as by the Bible You point to the fullness of life that is ours in Jesus Christ. God thank You for being our sure foundation. Thank You that we have nothing to fear from this world because You are in charge and You will reign until history finds itself ended at the return of Jesus Christ and His Day of Judgment. Help us as Christians to be salt and light in this world of rottenness and darkness. Bless Your preachers and missionaries, evangelists and teachers who are preaching Good News to congregations wherever Your people gather. Be glorified Great God of heaven and Lord of earth and her people—Amen.
