LIVING
RIGHT SIDE UP!
“Efforts
to attach the floor to the ceiling have met with some success but there is a
noticeable sag.” I once was awakened by this thought! If it was God speaking
one has to wonder what He was talking about. I don’t think Satan is all that
smart or even philosophical. That leaves my own peculiar way of thinking which
comes under considerable suspicion. But let’s run with it and see where it goes!
“Upside
down” can be found in the King James Version five times. I was
surprised myself to discover this after a brief search. You can take a look
yourself at 2 Kings 21:13; Psalm 146:9; Isaiah 24:1; Isaiah 29:16 and Acts
17:6.
I
chose to zero-in on Isaiah 29:15
& 16 and found what I think I was looking for. Let’s take a look.
Isa 29:15-16
15
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their
works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
16
Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as
the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not?
or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
In
his notes, Mr. Barnes’ comments on verses 15 and 16 is worthy of our attention.
That
is, [they] who attempt to conceal their "real" intentions under a
plausible exterior, and correct outward deportment. This is most strikingly
descriptive of the character of a hypocrite who seeks to conceal his plans and
his purposes from the eyes of people and of God. His external conduct is fair;
his observance of the duties of religion exemplary; his attendance on the means
of grace and the worship of God regular; his professions loud and constant, but
the whole design is to "conceal" his real sentiments, and to
accomplish some sinister and wicked purpose by it.
They
had no just views of truth. They deemed mere formality to be all that was
required. They attempted to conceal their plans even from Yahweh; and
everything in the opinions and practice of the nation had become perverted and
erroneous.
(from
Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved.)
It
has become expedient both in business and in politics to become “religious.”
Talk of revival and renewal are peppered liberally with expletives and home
grown theology. Mr. Barnes thinks it might be to “accomplish some sinister and
wicked purpose by it.” It seems obvious that Mr. Barnes is somewhat suspicious
of the syrupy sweetness of some overtly religious people!
The
danger of pretending to believe truths not truly held is an “upside down”
thinking. As we see in Isaiah 29:16 the clay becomes self animated and rises up
in sarcastic rebellion against the Potter. The framed structure devises
insurrection against the carpenter accusing Him of having flawed plans. The
whole image resembles the upside down ship in the movie “The Poseidon
Adventure.” You have to be careful not to trip over the chandeliers.
Isa 5:20
20
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light,
and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
“Efforts
to attach the floor to the ceiling have met with some success but there is a
noticeable sag.”
Dear
Lord, help me to challenge the modern, cultural moralizing with the revealed
truth of the Word of God. Then give me the courage to live right side up. AMEN
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