A twofold message in times like these.

Disastrous times

After witnessing the events that are happening in our days with the war between Russia and Ukraine, the wildfires in Canada and its effect in the air as in New York, the excess heat in Puerto Rico, the pandemic, flood waters sweeping countries around the world, volcanoes erupting and causing massive devastations, tornados, hurricanes and cyclones in mass numbers causing devastations and massive earthquakes killing thousands of people it is no wonder that many of us are suffering from anxiety and depression. The top ten deadliest 2021 disasters list earthquakes and hurricanes killing thousands.  But thing that the people of God have is hope and comfort. Paul tells us that God gives us comfort in all our troubles (2Co1:4) so that we can comfort others. In the midst of all the havoc and distress we are strengthened so that we can overcome. Jesus said “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God^a]; believe also in me” (Jh14:1). A song of praise we have while distress and hardship surround us. David said in the Psalm that we need to trust God and take refuge in him (ps62:8). 

Isaiah 24:14-16

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.¹⁵ Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. ¹⁶ From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” But I said, “I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!”

Isaiah writes to no particular people in chapter 24 unlike other chapters where he addresses certain people. Within his writing the prophet writes a twofold message about the threatening judgments of God towards the wicked, but also of his comfort towards his people. While he mentions the destruction that was to come with the earth drying up and flood waters coming down, the people of God engaged in worship. He remembers that in God there is hope. When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of this age, the first thing he warned them was not to let their hearts be troubled (Mat24:6). Because when distress comes our hearts will become troubled, and we will be vulnerable and panic. After he listed all the things that would happen in the earth and unto them, Jesus warns them that their love could get cold (Mat24:12).  The only way Jesus said that we will overcome is if we maintain our patience (Lk21:19). Singing and praising God in the midst of trouble is a show of trust and Isaiah heard the people from the ends of the earth do just that.