Exile

 And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. ~ Isaiah 12:4

I often blankly stare at the computer screen when I sit down to write these weekly “encouragements.” It started as another means to keep the Shiloh family connected and upbeat during the terrible lock-down of 2020 and the rollercoaster ride that followed. Each week I try to imagine what Christ’s precious flock needs to hear and pray He will guide my words. Sometimes, I lament like Jeremiah and, at other times, uplift like Isaiah. Most of the time, I’m just me, doing the best I can and hoping it’s enough, while knowing better. When I don’t know where to begin, I often look at a “verse of the day” posted in an app I use. Today’s verse is above. God spoke through Isaiah to the people in exile. God assured them of His love and discipline so that they would better understand God’s purpose during difficult times. Sound familiar?

Now we find ourselves in a strange sort of collective denial as we live in the aftermath. The COVID virus is still with us, the ideological civil war still exists, and economic stressors continue to frustrate and frighten us. But most of us are weary of it all and eager to recapture the better version of normal we imagine. People are rushing back to “normal” and expecting it to feel the same as it once did. Returning to the activities and relationships we longed for is rewarding but very different now. There is an edginess that tempers our trust for one another; a selfishness fueled by desperation, and grief born out of so much loss - grief is a natural response to realizing permanent changes, like the death of a loved one, a lifestyle, or a dream. 

The local church is a microcosm of the community within which it lives. Its people undergo the same stressors and respond similarly to their community counterparts, unless acted upon by a different mindset and a unique power source. It is understandable that youthful Christians ignorantly do so since they lack maturity for lack of time and sanctification. This does not correlate with a person’s age and, sadly, many older Christians behave immaturely because they stopped seeking greater holiness long ago. Comfortable people do little to improve themselves and their world because their needs seem to be met. Therefore, God has little influence in their lives and serves only as a lucky charm or one to whom we foolishly cast the cares of flesh. Such people are ripe for exile.

The Old Testament story of Israel’s civil war and exile reminds us of the LORD’s discipline and grace as He both preserves and purges for the sake of His holy purposes. In fact, the entire Bible reveals this consistent pattern. Comfortable, self-serving, and disingenuous religion practicers gradually conform to the norms of the world and drag the people of God down with them. Superficial religion poorly masks their inner wickedness and causes many to be deceived. So, the LORD allows the oppression to run its course as chaos ensues. Chaos causes vulnerability that leads to devastation, and the Enemy cackles with delight. Meanwhile, God culls and cleanses His people so that a remnant emerges stronger and wiser. 

It’s hard to believe it right now, but we will give thanks to the LORD for the suffering and change we’ve endured, even as we grieve the departures of those who once felt like family. Eventually God’s guidance will take them where they need to be or allow them to go their own way. Likewise, we will see the LORD’s hand of providence as hard-hearted, comfortable people's negative influences diminish. Exile costs much, but the returning remnant will rejoice in the LORD and serve His holy purposes by persevering. “In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people” (Isaiah 11:11a)