TWO CRIES

" 'Cry out loudly, don't hold back! Raise your voice like a trumpet. Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.' " (Isaiah 58:1, HCSB)

I'm guessing God's prophets would not have lasted long on the driving range at your local country club.

Even outfitted at the pro shop so they complied with the dress code, when they set to boisterously marching up and down the range declaring the transgressions of this golfer and that, their welcome would be urgently revoked.

For a minute, though, I think we can laugh at the idea: "You there, the one in the ridiculous shirt, you call that a swing? Your elbow is flying like a Frisbee in a windstorm. And what's with the 22-second waggle? Just hit the thing! Oh, so you, you there in red on red, you think this is funny? Well, I saw you slashing at that wedge a minute ago. You're not here to film an infomercial for Ginsu knives, you know. OK, listen up people, all of you. You stink! Not a one of you is up to snuff. Right now, every last one of you, get walking--to the pro shop--get on your knees before old Jim in there and tell him how sorry you are that you've never asked for proper help. Get a lesson!"

Can you imagine?

When God spoke through Isaiah and his colleagues, however, there wasn't much humor in the delivery--unless you count the sarcasm of Elijah on Mount Carmel, perhaps. These prophets were serious guys.

Yet here is the thing: they were never without compassion. They couldn't be. They were speaking God's words. And as God is love, He is also mercy.

Here's how the common prophetic message began: "I (God) am crying over your sin, and I am crying out to you to stop."

And here is how those messages continued: "When will you cry out to Me?"

God has not changed. He is still trying to get our attention. That's right, our attention. The vast bulk of God's prophecies were made to His own people--not to "the heathens." God wants the whole hearts of His people. God wants us changed for His glory. So He is still crying out. He may use a prophet or a preacher or a spouse or a child or a little golf devotional to catch our ears--and with them, our minds and our hearts.

Now it is our turn. Once caught, will we be held? Will we "humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord that He will exalt us"? (see James 4:10). Oh, let us answer His cry with one of our own: "Lord, make me all Yours!"

--

Jeff Hopper

February 9, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.