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 You can hear the wistful desperation in the voice
of the prophet as he cried out to the Almighty:
“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!”
(Isaiah 64:1 NIV)
I feel that way sometimes. Haven’t you? I recall
sitting in a darkened church sanctuary alone on the evening of
September 11, 2001. With images of jetliners slamming violently into
skyscrapers seared into my mind, I remember crying out to God. I
knew He was still on Heaven’s throne, but I wanted Him to make
Himself known here on Earth, especially to all the grieving and
stunned Americans who were pleading for comfort… and for justice.
Isaiah voiced a dangerous prayer – Come here! Shake the heavens and
the earth! Scatter your enemies! Destroy wickedness and evil once
and for all! But even as the words leave his mouth, the prophet sees
a problem with his request: the people of Judah had traded their
unique, covenant status with God for dalliances with lesser “gods.”
If God had answered Isaiah’s prayer even the ones who had survived
the horrors of Babylon would have been swept away.
And there’s the rub. His presence certainly means hope for the some,
but there’s another side of hope. Old Testament stories reveal that
when God shows up you can expect both cheers and tears. When God
comes down, Abraham’s nephew lot is spared, but Sodom is burned to a
crisp. Israelite slaves go free, but Egypt is devasted by plague
after plague. Noah gets plans for a big boat, but the rest of the
rebellious world is literally left to go under. When you ask God to
make an appearance, be careful what you pray for!
Centuries beyond Isaiah, the descendants of the exiles were
re-established in their land, even though they were under the boot
of a new super-power (Rome). The hearts of the devout cried out for
a redeemer, one promised by God who would rule the world from the
throne of David forever. They longed to see the day of the Lord
come, the day the skies would be ripped open, and God revealed to
everyone.
Well, those prayers were ultimately heard. One seemingly ordinary
night, God did split the heavens. Otherworldly warriors poured
through the rift and, to the relieved amazement of a few terrified
herdsmen, began singing God’s praises and proceeded to inform them
that Christ, the King of Kings, was born in the sleepy suburb of
Bethlehem! We hail His arrival as the first Advent. He grew. He
lived. He died violently at the hands of people a lot like us. He
rose victoriously to life once again and returned to His Father’s
abode in order to send His Spirit to any heart that will prepare Him
room.
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All these centuries later, the faithful are once more
crying out to the Lord. “O that you would rend the heavens and come
down!” He will. He promised. But when He does, when the final Advent
occurs, it won’t be a joyful event for everyone. His people will
welcome Him and celebrate, but those who have viciously hated Him,
willfully denied Him, or simply ignored Him will know nothing but
everlasting horror. On that day He cleaves the skies for the final
time, which side of hope will find you when He comes down?
Let me once again share the best possible news for you and for all:
His grace is great! Christ was born to save! He’s ready to forgive
you and make you brand new! As Scrooge observed, you haven’t missed
it! This Christmas is just one more opportunity – maybe your best
opportunity – to give heart and soul and voice to Jesus the King!
Pastor Greg Wooten
Hope Chapel
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