Have you not heard?
By Dean Collins
Since the original Supreme Court was formed, 211 justices have been named to serve on it. Eight are on the bench today, and one has recently been nominated. All of the current justices have been named since I have been an adult. In my memory the political debate surrounding these appointments has been increasingly noisy. And both parties have argued vehemently for or against appointees because of the fear of the court becoming too liberal or too conservative. Supreme Court justices have significant power. They also potentially serve for a few decades. William Douglas has been the longest serving justice. He served a few days past 36 years and 7 months.
Over the next several weeks the debates will be intense as the politicians, the media, the think tanks, the advocacy groups, the church, and the general public argue for or against Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination. It will be ugly. The fight over who has power is always ugly. Ultimately those who have power make decisions. They speak with authority. They all also eventually die, and their season of influence and moments of power will also end.
Isaiah chapter 40 however is a reminder of who has authority and ultimate power. Isaiah said, “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh will see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Greater authority
I don’t know about you, but I would argue that what the mouth of the Lord speaks has greater power and authority than any court and any political system or constitution. I love our constitution. Most Americans would argue that our structure of government is the best in the world. But as believers in the almighty God we probably should be careful about the amount of time and effort we give to political power. If we aren’t careful, we could slip into the old patterns of those who have gone before us and were guilty of idolatry.
If the data could be collected, I suspect we would find that the current amount of time, energy, and passion for political actions including appointing Supreme Court justices is proportionately greater than the time we spend in prayer and in consideration of what the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
I’m in no way suggesting that this appointment cannot have significant implications for how God’s ways might be protected or even advanced. The big issue is abortion. Protecting the life of the unborn is a huge concern. Babies are created in the image of God. So protection of life is a God thing. But to truly follow God, we must demonstrate with words and actions that we’re more than simply pro-birth. Protection of life begins in the womb but continues through the lifespan and should be supported for all people.
For example, world hunger organizations report that over 3 million children die each year due to under nutrition. Global health organizations report that 1.5 million people die of preventable diseases due to lack of vaccinations. Our government reports estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 children are victims of sexual trafficking each year. And then there is the issue of refugees and immigrants who die on the borders of various countries as they seek to find a place where they can live safely and meet basic human needs away from governments that oppress them.
Pro-life decisions are important, and healthy birth, a vital part of life, is important to God. But if we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, our pro-life actions and decisions must move beyond pro-birth.
To truly follow God, we must demonstrate with words and actions
that we’re more than simply pro-birth.
We must watch ourselves closely that we don’t make gods of even good things, including laws. The glory of the Lord being revealed in a baby in Bethlehem is significantly more important than who becomes a Supreme Court justice or the president of the United States.
Our whole hearts
Ultimately the Babylonians captured Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and took Israel into captivity. It was a long time coming, but judgment on God’s beloved children was the result of generations of idolatry. And in the practice of idolatry babies were often sacrificed. The range of sin that flowed from idolatry was significant. But the real sin was the worship and allegiance to anything and anyone over God. God desires our whole hearts. He is sufficient for all of our needs.
Both then (Isaiah’s time) and now we are tempted to give in to idolatry. My rights, my preferences, my pleasures, my wants, my job, my money, my politics, and my country too often become a bigger priority than almighty God. Incrementally these other gods shift our focus and bring judgment on us.
Isaiah speaks of a post exile moment. The consequences have happened but there is a season of hope and comfort on the way. The One who judged speaks tenderly. He makes way for a new day, a straight path that leads right to the very heart of God. All of the obstacles are removed, and the glory of God is revealed.
Eternal Word, good news
There is the reminder that all people, even Supreme Court justices are like grass. They eventually wither. They are not permanent. But the Word of God is eternal. The good news of Jesus has arrived.
No person, system, party, or pleasure can compare to our Savior. All become weak substitutes of the real thing. So in this moment, as important as it is, we must consider, we must cling, to Isaiah’s words of warning and comfort. Listen again to his promises.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard?” Our behavior at times suggests that we neither know or listen. But Isaiah cries out even into the 21st century;
“The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Lord we pray that even in moments where important decisions are being made by people with significant power and government authority keep us from idolatry. Keep us focused on you and your promises. Remind us of the fading nature of systems of power. Focus us on you as our only authority. You are the giver of all life. You have made it possible that even in our weakness you lift us up on wings like eagles. Renew us today to never test you but to always turn to you for all things. May we never grow weary in doing your good work even until we see you in eternity.
Amen
Your time with God’s Word
Photo by Maria Oswalt on Unsplash
