Morning Brew: Saturday, Oct 10

Are you willing to speak out for your people? Sixty-two chapters into the book of Isaiah (the longest book of prophecy in the Old Testament), we catch a glimpse behind the passion that drove Isaiah to stay so faithful to his calling for so long:

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,

    for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet,

till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,

    her salvation like a blazing torch. Isaiah 62:1

Zion was another name for his nation, Israel. Jerusalem was the capital of Israel. For their sake, for the sake of his people, his nation, he would not stay silent. During Isaiah’s years of prophecy Israel started a precipitous decline that would end in disaster and mass exile.

The easiest thing, the simplest thing for Isaiah to do would have been to sit on the sidelines and watch his people fall apart. But he couldn’t; they were his people. You will do anything for your family, your people.

Are you willing to speak out for your people? I truly believe that in this lifetime our nation is heading towards a precipitous decline that can only result in tragedy. Are we content to sit on the sidelines and shake our heads? Or are we willing to speak up, to love loud, to embrace the messes and be a positive force for good?

What will you do for your family? What will you do for your people? Isaiah could not stay silent. Will you? Who do you need to speak to today? Who do you need to be intentional with this weekend? Who do you need to bring with you to church tomorrow? For the sake of your family, for the sake of your people, do something.

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION: Who spoke out to you when you needed it the most?