Many people – both believers and unbelievers – are fascinated by the topic of “the day of the Lord.” What will happen, and how do we prepare for it?
Scripture:
Isaiah, chapters 1-3; Titus, chapter 3
Isaiah 2:12-18 (CEB):
The Lord of heavenly forces has planned a day: against all that is prideful and haughty; against all that is lofty, and it will be laid low; against all the cedars of Lebanon, high and lofty; against all the oaks of Bashan; against all the high mountains; against all the lofty hills; against every tall tower; against every fortified wall; against all the ships of Tarshish; against all the wonderful boats. People’s pride will be brought down and human arrogance humiliated. The Lord alone will be exalted on that day; the idols will completely pass away.
Observations: The Day of the Lord
What is The Day of the Lord? Modern people tend to equate it with the “judgment day” at the end of time. That’s why so many people are fascinated with the book of Revelation in the New Testament; they’re looking for the signs that point to the coming of that day. But in the Old Testament, the day of the Lord seems to me to be more nuanced in nature. It certainly is a day of judgment, but not necessarily the day of judgment.
In our passage for today, Isaiah speaks in terms that make us think of the judgment: The Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The fact is, however, that there have been several “days” like that in the history of mankind. Cataclysmic events tend to turn people’s attention away from themselves and toward God. Sometimes, those circumstances develop into a spiritual “great awakening,” as cultures and nations turn to God.
The Day of the Lord: A Warning for All
My reflection today is directed more to what Isaiah is saying to us about God and his purposes. After all, whenever that day comes, we need to be ready. That doesn’t mean “doomsday prepping”; it means spiritual prepping. How can we prepare for that day?
First, consider the result of that day: The Lord alone will be exalted on that day. In other words, God will be revealed as the Sovereign of the universe. Everyone and everything that has been exalted as a rival to God will be shown to be inferior. Isaiah says that it is a day against all that is prideful and haughty…People’s pride will be brought down and human arrogance humiliated. When God reveals himself in power and majesty, everyone and everything will be compelled to acknowledge Him.
Isaiah lists a number of examples of things that will be brought down. These examples were meaningful to his first readers, but probably not to us. I see two primary categories of examples. First, there are examples of majestic things in creation. The cedars of Lebanon, the oaks of Bashan, all the high mountains, all the lofty hills. The second category includes human achievements: every tall tower, every fortified wall, all the ships of Tarshish, all the wonderful boats. Everything will be brought down – everything except God and His kingdom.
Application: The Day of the Lord: A Warning for All
I often comment on people’s fixation on “the end.” Too often, that fixation revolves around trying to “crack the code” – to figure out when it will happen. Scripture clearly directs us to not waste time doing that, and to focus on being prepared for it. How do we do that? By acknowledging God’s sovereignty now. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, NASB). Jesus cautioned us that in God’s kingdom, the last shall be first (for example, Matthew 20:16).
Either we will humble ourselves, and allow God to exalt us, or we will exalt ourselves, and force God to humble us. On the day of the Lord God will bring down all that is prideful and haughty. So we need to be careful who we exalt, and what we exalt. We especially need to be careful about trusting in human leaders and systems. As Isaiah closes chapter 2: “Quit admiring the human race, who breathe through their nostrils. Why should they be admired?” (Isaiah 2:22). Instead of worshiping people, instead of worshiping nature, we should worship the One who created it all!
Prayer:
Father, thank you for reminding us that on the day of the Lord, you will bring down everything that is prideful and haughty. Everyone and everything that sets itself as a challenger to your sovereignty will be revealed as false. Give us grace to humble ourselves, so that we may be with you when you are exalted above all.
Heavenly Father, we live in a world where people clamor for attention and seek power for themselves. Give us wisdom to recognize the fallacy of trusting in human leaders – particularly those who do not exalt you. Jesus, you said that it’s not enough to just say “Lord, Lord”; we have to do God’s will. Father, help us to know your will, and to do it today. Amen.
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