Writers Writing (Isaiah 10:1)

 


Friday, December 13, 2024


Psalms 101; 102:1-11

Isaiah 9:18-10:11

Mark 8:14-26


Observance: Lucy, martyr and virgin (d. 304)


Writers Writing (Isaiah 10:1)


One of the biggest difficulties in keeping virtuous according to the Lord’s commands is that it so often seems that it is counter-productive. So many people have, to our eyes, gotten ahead in life by scheming injustice and wielding oppression. “If you want to make money”, goes one so-called ‘truism’, “take it off other people”. For those of us who try to keep to the narrow path of a virtuous life in the Lord’s eyes, we often find ourselves crying out with the saints of heaven “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Revelation 6:10)


In the first week of Advent, we were searching for assurance that true virtue is to be found in the Lord’s ways. Now we are searching for assurance that we can trust what we have found. And today’s passage from Isaiah is one of many examples in the Bible that virtuous living will be vindicated by the Lord.


Woe to those decreeing iniquitous decrees, says the Lord – those who make unjust laws. Woe to those who write oppression, says the Lord – those who invent philosophies of human destruction. Woe to those who turn aside the needy from justice, rob the poor of their right, make the widows their spoil, and prey on the orphans, says the Lord. Invert them, and we discover some guidance comfortingly reminiscent of Jesus’ Beatitudes: Blessed are those who decree morality; blessed are those who write freedom; blessed are those who give justice to the needy, who give the poor their right, who care for the widow and orphan. The opposite of woe is blessing, and the opposite of today’s woes are virtues of Christian chivalry. Keep to them, and the blessings will follow, says the Lord. Don’t keep them, and he will still do the right thing, and uphold justice. To whom will those who oppress others flee for help, and where will they leave their wealth?


How do you manage to do the right thing in spite of the fact it so often seems to affect you negatively in the short term? Do you trust God’s word that he will make all things right?


Lord Jesus, our Lord of justice: keep us firm in your promise to make all things right, so that we may always follow what you command, and be changed day by day into the virtuous people you desire us to be.

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