Today's Worship: In the midst of defeat... here comes the Lord!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:1,

 

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings."

 

During the New Testament times the nation of Israel was occupied by Rome. Israel, while having its primary presence in Palestine, was scattered throughout the Roman Empire, as James addresses his letter to the Jews, "scattered among the nations". Although, due to the faith of Abraham, Israel was God's chosen people, they had become a people vanquished and dominated by others. As we read the accounts of Israel's history in the Old Testament, we find that it was through the sinfulness of Israel as a nation that brought about this turn of events.

 

James is an early letter within the church, a letter written by whom I believe was the Lord's own half-brother, James the Just. He appears to have led the early church in its infancy as we see in passages such as Acts 15 and other places. This same James now addresses his letter to "the twelve tribes scattered among the nations". We call this scattering of Jews the "Diaspora". This dispersion of Jews reflects the horrific consequences of any nation who turns its back on God and embraces the sinful imaginations of the world. How Israel had fallen from its lofty position! At one time Israel commanded the fear and respect of all who came to know her. Through her God had turned superpower Egypt inside out, through her the pagan nations of Palestine were vanquished as she was established in the land. She was rich and powerful. During the time of Solomon the nations of the world paid homage, sent envoys and sought to insure Israel's favor.

 

But just look at her at the time of the birth of the church! Ruled by Roman authorities, vanquished by foreign powers over the years, scattered among the nations! And yet... look what God is doing in the midst of generations of loss and defeat! Here is what grips my heart this morning. When all looks lost, when everything points to doom and gloom, out of the ashes of defeat and despair arises the Lord in piercing light: a fledgling new infant, the church! The entire world will never be the same again!

 

Jesus Christ came to the nation of Israel when the time was right. Although, to her great loss in rejecting the Lord - which assured continued decline for the nation, the world itself would never be the same. Jesus Christ came and brought a message of hope from despair. He brought light when it was dark. He brought victory where there was only defeat! Jesus Christ came and gave his life on behalf of the lives of many! When, for generations, things looked dark and gloomy,

 

"The people walking in darkness
   have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death 
   a light has dawned. 
You have enlarged the nation
   and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
   as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
   when dividing the plunder...

 

For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 
Of the increase of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
   will accomplish this." Isaiah 9:2-3, 6-7. 

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com