Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea were three prophets who depicted a nation that was in trouble with God. And it all had to do with their stance on the Truth.
Isaiah 59:4 says - "None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth..."
Isaiah 59:14-15 goes on to say - "And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth..."
The Prophet Isaiah painted the picture of a nation that was failing to plead with truth...to plead in truthfulness...to plead for it. They did not have the conscience nor the courage to appear in defense of an honest cause and confront fraud and wrong. They allowed truth to be opposed.
They were unjust in their legal decisions - being influenced by bribes and partiality. There was no justice in their decisions. The courts were unprincipled and corrupt. Right judgment was inverted. The innocent were condemned and the guilty acquitted. Righteousness "stood afar off."
But, most importantly (at least in the eyes of God), "truth" was trampled on by every foot of pride. Where it used to be exalted (proclaimed), now it was thrown down. False witnesses prevailed over the true. Eventually, "truth" - as the basis of the social fabric and the groundwork of all morality - came to the place where it was missing, lacking, or could not be found.
Then the Prophet Jeremiah painted a picture of a nation that was in trouble with God.
Jeremiah 7:28 says - "But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth corection: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth."
Jeremiah 9:3 goes on to say - "And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not Me, saith the LORD."
He depicted this nation as one that pays no regard unto the Lord...is notorious for obstinacy...and will not be ruled by Him as their Lord. They will not receive instruction. They are unable to profit by correction. And they cannot be reclaimed or reformed.
"Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth." How did the Prophet know this? Because there was neither faith nor faithfulness in the people. There was nothing but lying, hypocrisy, and insincerity. They could not receive the truth... submit to it...be governed by it...nor speak it. They were bold in their sin and courageous to support their lies.
Lastly, the Prophet Hosea painted a picture of a nation that was in trouble with God.
Hosea 4:1 says - "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land."
He depicted this nation as one with whom the LORD "hath a controversy." In other words, they were in a "lawsuit" with God. It was Jehovah versus Israel and Judah. And it was all because there was "no truth...in the land."
The people had no regard for known truth. They had no conscience, sincerity, nor uprightness. They were a people without reality - living in fictions. Their very life was a lie.
They had "no truth" in their promises - making good in deeds what they said in words. They did not do nor speak the"truth."
So here we have it - three (3) prophets depicting a nation (in fact the same nation - Israel/Judah) that was in trouble with God.
Isaiah painted his picture in relation to their stand for "truth." Because they were too weak to "plead for truth," they lost the "truth." They suffered an inversion. Everything became upside down. Righteousness was out and unrighteousness came in. Ruin and confusion was the result.
Jeremiah painted his picture in relation to their behavior. They would not allow "truth" to rule over them - or be governed by it - and, as a result, they were left with hypocrisy and lying words.
Hosea painted his picture in relation to their speech. Their word meant nothing. Consequently, their life became a lie.
You cannot help but see present-day America in these prophetic depictions of a nation in trouble with God.
Who is "pleading for truth" today? Does it not seem as though "truth is fallen in the street" and is "failing"?
Look around you and you will see a nation - generally speaking - where "truth is perished" - causing the people to walk in disobedience to the LORD or to fail to receive correction for their wrongs. People are more bold in their sin than ever and so courageous to support their lies.
At this time, do you sense the "controversy" that the LORD has with America and especially the American Church - because it is lacking in "truth"?
So many have chosen to "exchange the truth of God for a lie" (Romans 1:25). They have replaced the true God with an idol of this world's making. Or they have created one of their own making to fit their ungodly lifestyle.
The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:30 - "I have chosen the way of truth..."
This is what it will take to end the "controversy" with the LORD for not having "truth."
But it requires a serious and deliberate choice on America's part. She must select it...prefer it...and desire to walk in it.
The "way of truth" is the way of reality. It is in contradistinction to the way of fiction - in which so many are walking today. It is the way of serious godliness - the way of faithfulness and steadfastness to God.
But in "choosing the way of truth," there must be a turning away from the "way of lying."
That is why the Psalmist prayed so earnestly in verse 29 - "Remove from me the way of lying..."
He was not talking about the sin of lying per se, but the false way or the way of falsehood. He was talking about every false, deceitful, and hypocritical way - shown by acting from false views or wrong motives. He was talking about being under the influence of delusion and deceit.
If you have not yet noticed, America - at this time - is "swirling" with lies, lies, and more lies - from the White House...to the liberal media...even to some Churches preaching a false Gospel.
A proven liar is running for the highest office in the land. The testimony of liars is promoted by the media and believed by the public - rather than the voice of truth.
The Biblical Illustrator rightly said - "How rare are true men in this world of shame!"
They then added - "Man has a faculty for misrepresenting facts and for deceiving men."
From day to day, the "misrepresenting of facts" is being played out right before our eyes in the liberal media.
On Facebook today, Dr. Michael Brown presented a meme with the saying - "Society has become so fake that the truth actually bothers people."
Do you understand why God would have a "controversy" with America at this time?
As the opening quote said - "The love of Divine Truth cannot coexist with the tolerance of any kind of falsity; they are mutually exclusive."
We see this going on today in our midst - "the tolerance of any kind of falsity."
However, as a Christian, if you indeed have "the love of Divine Truth," you cannot help but have an "intolerance of any and all kind of falsity."
This is part of "choosing the way of truth." It is also what is meant by asking the Lord to "remove far from you the way of lying."
Have you "chosen the way of truth"? Is it your prayer that the Lord would "remove far from you the way of lying"?
We, at Walking In Truth Ministry, have "chosen the way of truth." By the grace of God, we do indeed have "the love of Divine Truth" that causes us to demonstrate an "intolerance" through our messages toward any and all "kind of falsity." Not all ministries can say that!
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
At this time, if you would like to be a blessing to this ministry, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
Or, if you prefer to use Paypal, you can send your financial gift to - [email protected]
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Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved