Isaiah Roman

Reflections on the Republicans 6/9/09

Last night I sat listening to the Republican House-Senate fund raising dinner in Washington DC on c-span. There were rousing speeches; applause that punctuated the words of the speakers was somewhat encouraging; but, it seemed forced. It was not spontaneous. 

Many of the people sitting at the tables sat with blank stares with arms crossed on their chest. It was well produced; It was God honoring, the name of Christ was invoked and God was upheld. It was not enough. It seemed as if it were directed toward the Christian right but with reluctant of offending the “country club” crowd. I went to sleep thinking about that and woke this morning with mixed emotions.

(I had a strange dream overnight). As far as it went it was fine but spontaneity was lacking; the enthusiasm to put this message across wasn’t there. The entire thrust was toward the 2010 elections.

Yesterday Rush Limbaugh quoted the words of Obama followers wherein one of them said it was to him as if he were speaking to a god not a man. I have thought that was true but that quote confirmed it.

A thought came to my mind “the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.” I researched that and this is the context in which it is written.

“Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand: Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus says the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me, and then eat you every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink you every one the waters of his cistern: Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of oil olive and of honey, that ye may live, and not die: and hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered at all his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand (II Kings 18: 29-35)?”

Hezekiah rent his garment and said to Isaiah son of Amoz. “This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth (II Kings 19:3).”

It would seem to me God is holding out His hand perhaps for the last time and those to whom He holds it out have not strength to receive and shake His hand.

I know this; I should do something yet I am hopelessly helpless to do anything about it. There is a deep sadness and at the same time great exhilaration. The righteous are just before shouts of joy; but, at the same time the unrighteous are just before howls of anguish, pain and exasperation!

“Not as I will but as Thou wilt, LORD!”