Isaiah 12:2

I grew up in a church with several Messianic Christians and with a real heart for Jewish evangelism. As I read Isaiah 12:2, I couldn't help but think of the Liberated Wailing Wall concerts that were held at our church. For those of you don't know, the Liberated Wailing Wall is a musical ministry sponsored by Jews for Jesus. Back in the days I was at their concerts, their signature song was "Behold!" "Behold!" is basically a rousing version of Isaiah 12:2. Below, I have put a link for the song in case you would like to listen. I thought the rough, live versions were better than this recorded one, but still a great song on a great verse. (The added benefit of the song is that they begin singing in Hebrew so you can hear what Isaiah 12:2 sounds like in the original language!)

http://files.jewsforjesus.org/audio/messianicjoy/12_behold.mp3

Should Christians Love Fox News?

When I was in Seminary, I had a pastor encourage us to preach the Old Testament prophets. Rereading Isaiah, I am reminded of why he urged that mandate upon us. Isaiah's words were recorded thousands of years ago, yet there is much about them that is true and relevant today.

For example, we in the evangelical church need to remember the directive that Isaiah receives from God in Isaiah 8:11-13. "The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread..."

Too many in the church today are enamored of conspiracy. They watch the pundits on Fox News or they listen to the call of conservative radio. They get wrapped up in the behind the scene machinations of those in political and cultural power. God tells Isaiah not to get too tied in to those speculations. He tells Isaiah to fear Him, to be devoted to Him. We need the same message. We shouldn't fear what Obama or the liberals or the left are doing. We shouldn't look for conspiracy behind every rock. Instead, we should seek to fear and serve our Lord, knowing that all these matters are in His hand.