Thursday,
November 2, 2023
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 must
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 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 “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 must 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 live right side up. AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment