Life in Mean Times: Isaiah 25:1-9 - 19th Sunday after Pentecost

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you, I will praise your name; for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin; the palace of aliens is a city no more, it will never be rebuilt. Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you. For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat. When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm, the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place, you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds; the song of the ruthless was stilled. On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (NRSV)

Last Sunday, the chancel choir stayed after church to record today’s anthem. This was the first time we’d opened our choir folders since March, and the songs we’d been preparing for Holy Week and Easter were right where we left them. Somebody said, “do you think we’ll get to sing these next Spring?”

 

Covid-19 is a nightmare without ending—and every time I get to thinking that the worst is behind us, something happens—like an outbreak at the White House. The longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to imagine the future without it.

 

The same holds true for all the political chaos; racial strife; economic downturn, climate change, and a shrinking church. Is doom and gloom all that the future has in store for us? Will there ever be celebration?

 

From what we know about the history of Old Testament Israel, the celebration in today’s reading from Isaiah may appear foolish and short-sighted. The mighty Assyrian Empire had been the greatest existential threat to God’s people. Ninety years prior to this moment, they conquered the northern Kingdom of divided Israel. They invaded the Southern kingdom besieged Jerusalem as well. The Southern Kingdom ultimately survived, but they had to buy Assyria off with nearly all the silver and gold from the temple and the royal palace.

 

Ultimately, the even-mightier Babylonian Empire arose and conquered Assyria. For the tiny Southern Kingdom, this was cause for celebration. God had delivered them from their greatest enemy. But twelve years later, Babylon besieged Jerusalem—and ultimately conquer the Southern Kingdom.

 

But there is one important truth to remember: every person, power, or empire that sets itself up against God and God’s purposes will fall. Those who seek power and riches through plunder, oppression, and bloodshed will be subject to God’s judgment. On the other hand, those who are plundered, oppressed, and persecuted will be vindicated by God. Therefore, there’s nothing foolish about rejoicing in God’s salvation. It’s a promise that holds true, no matter what the circumstances. Suffering and evil come and go, but God’s kingdom is forever.

 

Unfortunately, God’s people lost sight of this promise. As their world grew more dangerous, and their society more unstable, fear ruled their lives. They put their trust in power and riches instead of God. They neglected their fundamental duties to God and neighbor. Individuals became so self-absorbed that poverty and oppression spread through the population like wildfire. Is our society any different?

 

A few weeks ago, I quoted a university study that found that majorities of Republicans and Democrats believe violence will be justified if the opposing party wins the election in November. What does that say about us? It says that we have no faith in cooperation, peace, justice, and compassion. The only possible way for the future to be brighter is for my side to win, and the other side to go away.

 

Today’s crises define our reality so much that we become convinced that’s all there is! Let’s be honest: Our mindset is that death will have the last word. That impacts how we live more than we can comprehend. As yourself: is your life a gift and your neighbor’s life a treasure? Or is it all a game, where the one with the most toys wins? What do you believe?

 

Remember: evil and suffering come and go. Poverty, grief, sickness, political chaos, war—all of these temporary. They are not your ultimate destiny. If all you see in your future is doom and gloom, you will live accordingly. Fear will rule your life.

 

Trusting God’s promises, on the other hand, faith rules your life. By faith, God lays the groundwork for God’s glorious future within you. Every time you take time to pray, read Scripture, and be in the presence of God, God wins a victory. Every time you gather around Word and Sacrament, God wins a victory. Every time you feed the hungry, God wins a victory. Every time you forgive or seek forgiveness, God wins a victory. Every time you sacrifice yourself to build up the other, God wins the victory.

 

Evil deeds and evildoers come and go. So does wealth and success. Your deeds of faith, hope and love; peace and justice lay the groundwork for eternity.

 

God’s victory will probably not be complete tomorrow or even next year. We are living in the meantime, and these are indeed mean times. But why should your mind be set on all doom and gloom? Don’t waste the gift of the present moment in dread for tomorrow. Don’t allow yourself or your neighbor to live shrouded in fear and shame. Welcome God’s future into your present. Share the love that is in you, and join God in winning victories with every person you love and bless.

 

This life and this world are where God’s victories are won. Right here, right now.