Today’s Scrip-Bit   25 February 2023 Isaiah 10:1.

Isaiah 10:1.        Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.

It’s snowing, it’s snowing, on a lazy Saturday morning! Yes friends, some of that white stuff is floating down from the heavens in my area. Wasn’t expecting it, but there it is, some good ole snow in the winter time. (smile) And again, this past week I did not receive any quotes from our friend Anselm, don’t know what’s wrong, don’t know if he’s decided to stop aspiring to inspire us for our tomorrows. The long and short of the story though, is that I have to wing it on my own again. (smile) So let’s see what the Lord has to say to us on this first Saturday in Lent of 2023. Let me open the Good Library and see where it directs us. Soon come. 

Oh Mama! The Good Library opened in the book of Isaiah to a section that’s titled: ‘Woe to the Abusers of Justice.’ And that’s still a very good topic to talk about today because the abuse of justice and the abusers are so very prevalent in these evil and ungodly times. And what does Isaiah say on the subject. He declares (ah Lord eh!!!): ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.’ (Is. 10:1) 

And I don’t need to tell or remind us, that in this time of ours, there are so many unrighteous and grievous decrees being written, promulgated and eventually made law that Isaiah would have laughed at the comparatively small amount in his day. That’s because almost every law that’s written and passed nowadays is selfish, greedy and for the benefit of a handful of power brokers. And what’s the consequences of that kind of law making ? Isaiah said it very clearly on the Lord’s behalf. ‘To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.’ (Is. 10:2)

We couldn’t have put it any better my people. The poor, widows and orphans are suffering terribly in these times of plenty, because the rich and powerful are greedier than ever and enabling the system to give them more than they already have, while making it ever so difficult for the rest of the people to rise up and live a decent life, a life like what Christ died for them to have. The wickedness in our society is ever so rampant that it’s unbelievable. It’s like Bruh David describes it in Psalm 58, titled ‘Unjust Judges.’ 

He says: ‘Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation (ye rulers that represent God)? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of the serpent: they are like the deaf adder (cobra) that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely (ever so skillfully).’ (Ps. 58:1-5) 

Oh my people, our world is in such an ungodly uproar with all the wickedness and evil that’s being perpetrated each and every day in it. I don’t believe we’ve ever seen the levels of hate, anger, violence, strife, greed, selfishness and ungodliness that now permeates it. And the sad aspect is that the entire world is caught up in that evil and negative scenario, not only a few nations. With all the new technology and quick means of travel and moving information, our world has indeed become more like a global village than a far-flung entity. 

That means information and people, both good and bad can be moved around and across our world with ever increasing speed with the good or bad news they bring. And that’s exactly what’s happening. The purveyors of evil are spreading their greedy tentacles far and wide in their ungodly desire to control the world. That’s why there’s so much simmering as well as unleashed tension all over the globe right now. Consequently, nobody’s happy, and everyone has oodles of complaints, they consider legitimate. And in fact, many of them are. 

But here’s an interesting question that Isaiah posed to the wicked way back when. ‘And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?’ (Is. 10:3) Ah my fellow believers, that’s a very interesting question. What will happen to evil-doers when the Lord is ready to settle His accounts eh? 

But before we get to that, here’s what Bruh David asked the Lord to do to the wicked in Psalm 58. ‘Break (away) their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Let them melt (flow) away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in small pieces. As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth (stillborn child) of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel thorns (burning thorns), he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath (as in his living and burning wrath).’ (Ps. 58:6-9) 

Wow! Bruh David didn’t make joke in asking the Lord to dispose of the wicked, both quickly and painfully. But here now is Isaiah’s answer to the fate of the wicked, as decreed by the Lord. ‘Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out (in judgement) still.’ (Is. 10:4) 

Yes friends, we bleat about how God is long-suffering, and He is, otherwise we would have been wiped off the face of the earth a long time ago. But nonetheless, He punishes for wrong behaviour in His own way. And that time the Lord allowed the Assyrians to dominate Israel for a number of years, for their disobedience, greed and injustice. So, if He can allow His chosen people to feel His wrath, what’s to prevent Him from doing the same to us eh? Absolutely nothing! 

And believe me people, if we keep on living the evil and ungodly way we’re currently doing, sooner or later we will indeed feel the wrath of God! Perhaps we’re even feeling it now, with all the global tragedy that’s happening. But the Lord has promised to protect the righteous, that’s why some (a remnant) of the Israelites survived the Assyrian domination and returned to the fold of God. ‘The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.’ (Is. 10:21) 

Meanwhile Bruh David was somewhat more vociferous when he spoke about the rejoicing of the righteous. He writes: ‘The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.’ (Ps. 58: 10-11) And so it should be…and so it is! The Lord protects the righteous, but punishes the evil doers. Please, please, let us not be numbered amongst the latter. That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!

…to go against God’s will…is to feel His wrath…to do His will…is to enjoy His blessings… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 February 2014 Isaiah 9:16

Isaiah 9:16.   For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.

 
And now Friends, it’s another Monday morning, but one quite different to what I experienced and enjoyed last week. There is no open balcony, no more lush greenery overlooking a neatly coffered golf course, with cool sea breezes washing over me. Instead, it’s a closed basement, surrounded by mounds of snow, and cold winds blowing the down the avenue and the chimney. 
 
Ah Lord eh! What a bam, bam! And though my physical circumstances have changed for the worse, my spirit has to pick up the slack and keep me moving on, keep me excited about living with and working for Jesus. Yes my brethren, that’s a big problem in Christendom, for its members are not as excited as they should be to have Jesus in their lives. Most of us are tepid, lukewarm, like Jesus said of the church at Laodicea. (Rev.3:15-16)
 
But after all the wonderful things He’s done, and is still doing for us, we can certainly show a little more enthusiasm than we’re currently doing. We’re too listless and apathetic, fearful and anxious, and more concerned about what others will say and do if we show too much excitement and interest in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the one who selflessly sacrificed His holy, sinless life to pay our large and abominable sin debt. 
 
But Friends, when Jesus comes into our lives, excited is exactly how we ought to live, so that others can see, feel, and then greatly desire to catch the excitement we generate through Him. That’s the only way they will be convinced of His great importance in their lives. So this Monday morning, as the work week looms dark and threatening, let’s forget about that and concentrate solely on Jesus.
 
Let’s ratchet up the gratitude in our souls, and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with a whole lot of spunk, harmony and sincere feeling. As one big, tuneful, earthly choir, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
 
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour.
 
We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
 
Bravo, mih breddren, Bravo! That was great! And it ought to raise our level of excitement for Jesus. So let’s endeavour to keep that fire burning brightly in our souls all day long nuh, so that we can exude confidence and also show others how refreshing and wonderful it feels to be a true friend and confidante of Jesus, for truly, there’s nothing else in the world like it.
 
It’s completely different to what our Bit so sadly offers. ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.’ 
 
Oh my brethren, Jesus doesn’t lead people astray and cause them to be destroyed. But right now that statement is very, very true about our leaders, and it’s our bounden duty to help it become much less so. Our current leaders seem to be just a bunch of crooked, selfish schemers, and under their evil and corrupt schemes the majority of the planet is suffering and slowly being destroyed. That includes both human beings and nature.
 
But my fellow believers, hear the Lord’s stand on the situation, as He makes it known through Isaiah. ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed. To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!’ (Is.10:1-2) 
 
Oh Friends, we all see the great travesty of injustice and oppression being played out every day in our evil, unjust world! But rest assured it will not continue for ever, for the Lord has promised its destruction.
 
‘And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (in judgement).’ (Is.10:3-4)
 
Ah mih people, have no fear, for justice from on high will eventually prevail. Our omnipotent God is not going to let Lucifer and his evil minions run roughshod over His beautiful creation for very long. So please be prepared. Get ready today, right now, for we know not when that justice will be delivered. But delivered it will be, through the Second Coming of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
And this time it won’t be as a  babe in swaddling bands, but as a full grown, fierce and powerful warrior king, coming to claim what is rightfully His. But until He returns, we His followers need to keep His faith and memory strong by living the way He desires, and causing others to want to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour too.
 
So let’s get to it this Monday morning nuh! Let’s show the world the power and majesty of Jesus, by allowing His Holy Spirit that dwells within us, to lead and guide us along the straight and narrow path that leads directly to heaven. That’s wisdom for the ages! Much LOVE!
 
…to truly live for Jesus…is the most exciting thing a mortal man can do on this evil earth…