No Laughing Matter

Absurdities are often laughable.  Examples of semantic absurdities are “I can’t see without my shoes” or “Last night I looked at the sun” or “I was so hot, I had to wear a jacket.”  Raising twin boys came with some absurdities including securing diapers with duct tape!

 

How many of us would actually bend our knees to honor a carved image or statue?  What an absurd thought, you say, but is it really?  The Prophet Isaiah noticed a troubling trend in his day of fewer and fewer righteous people; a pagan lean.  Of course, we are far from Old Testament times yet are we?  The United States of America – this In-God-We-Trust nation – does not see present troubles a result of an illicit turn from The Creator.  Our country’s true spiritual health is seen in the acceptance [even delightful in] of ungodliness.  Almighty God asks, “Whom are you mocking? Against whom do you open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue?” (Isaiah 57:4).  We can conclude God doesn’t play “na-na-na-na-boo-boo” but with divine sarcasm responds, “I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away.” (Isaiah 57:12-13a).  Oh, the idols we revere: materialism, power, vanity, popularity, entertainment … the list is endless.  Christians are not exempt from idolatry – our service to God’s Church often replaces intimacy with Christ, books about the Bible entice us rather than time in The Word … yeah, that list is endless too.  God makes clear the absurdity of anyone except Himself on the throne of our lives, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” (Isaiah 57:15).  See the promise and beauty of spiritual prosperity; Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5).  Humble people invoke the favor and blessing of The Almighty.  The condition of this land is no laughing matter!  Oh, America – our beautiful – awake to know to turn to forsake your absurdities for the God of our fathers. Let us pray for America!