Truth Has Stumbled in the Street

As I look back at the last two posts from January 2012,  I realize that the reference made to Isaiah 59:14-19 still holds true today.

14: Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter.
15: 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.
16: And He saw that there was no man, and was astonished that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought salvation to Him, and His righteousness upheld Him.

When truth stumbles "in the street" or you could say, when a society accepts sin, then those who turn away from evil become a target. Those standing for God's way of righteousness are looked upon as wrong, and some would go so far as to say they need to be changed, shunned, prosecuted or even killed. The Lord sees this. Jesus came to die, not only for the sins of mankind, but even for the failures of those who desire to please the Lord. Even our failure to pray as we ought to and live as we should. He became the great Intercessor, not only through His righteous, holy life (and death), but also through His prayers, which the Father hears because of His righteousness. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become righteous like Him, and we too can pray and intercede for our land. 

17: He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; and He put on garments of vengeance for clothing and wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
18: According to their deeds, so He will repay, wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; to the coastlands He will make recompense.
19: So they will fear the name of the Lord from the west and His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream which the wind of the Lord drives.
20: "A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob," declares the Lord.

The Lord comes with salvation, but also with vengeance for His adversaries. He will repay "the coastlands," "the west" will fear the name of the Lord. It's time to pray and intercede, so truth and justice return to our streets. Pray so people fear the name of the Lord, turning away from evil and to the Lord for salvation. Isaiah goes on to say a couple of verses later:

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the Lord will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you." Isaiah 60:1-2

Re-prayer January 21, 2012 and January 28, 2012

1 John 5:14-15; John 12:49; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Timothy 2:1-2