A National Tragedy

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1

It was a day of national tragedy.  The revival seemed to be over.  Darkness and gloom filled the land.  For nearly fifty-two years King Uzziah had led Judah in godliness.  Though a leper at his death due to the sin of pride (PRIDE—any pride—always goes before destruction unless repented of), Judah had prospered under his reign and the land was free to worship GOD.  Now all of that changed.  Uzziah died.  Judah mourned.  The sense of pain even struck the heart of the great prophet Isaiah.  In the year that King Uzziah died, he mourned.

There is no doubt this man of God grieved much like the people around him even though Jotham, the son of Uzziah, had been the visible king of Judah due to his father’s leprosy.  Already, many were beginning to go astray under Jotham and the future seemed uncertain.  It was written of him, “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly (2 Chronicles 27:2).”  God needed a man with clear vision to send a message of encouragement—it was Isaiah.

Notice carefully above the word that almost seems out of place.  Most forget to say it when quoted.  It Is the word “also”.  “In the year that King Uzziah died I ALSO saw the LORD.”  In that season of sadness and despair, calamity and woe, grief and sorrow, Isaiah saw ALSO the LORD.  He was not immune to the chaos around him.  He, too, probably had questions, fears, and concern for the future.  Surely the prophet took it to prayer, and then GOD…

It is a day of national tragedy.  The revival seems to be over.  Darkness and gloom pervade the hearts of the servants of the LORD.  A handful of justices brought great sin and reproach on the nation of America.  The sin of Sodom is celebrated in the streets, and national emblems are used as prideful displays of wickedness.  Morality has died.  The sense of pain has struck the heart of every true believer.  On the day that America died morally the godly mourned.

Notice carefully above the word that seems out of place.  Don’t forget it when you quote it.  It is the word “also”.  In the year that America sanctioned ungodliness and sin look beyond the chaos—see the LORD.  There is still a throne where the Judge of Judges sits.  There is still a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins. The LORD REIGNS and every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.  We all have questions, fears, and concern for the future.  In your mourning, forget not to worship! Take it to prayer, then GOD…

The Immutable One, the Holy one of Israel, God our Savior is not wringing His hands paralyzed with indecision.  No! The angels are still shouting “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY” with every ounce of their being.  God saw this from eternity, and soon will act with, as America’s President said (a prophetic statement much like the prophecy that godless Caiaphas proclaimed in John 18:14 as a leader in Jerusalem), justice arrives “like a thunderbolt”.  We see the chaos, but we also SEE THE LORD!  He is High and lifted up..and HIS Son, Jesus Christ is Soon2Come!

In the Year that America has gone astray I see also the LORD.  He is High and Lifted up and His sovereignty is about to be established worldwide forever.  A bit more darkness may come—but hold on my child because joy comes in the morning!