Today you should read: Isaiah 32
Many of you reading this have probably been on an overseas mission trip with CPC. Even if you haven’t, you’ve probably seen the mime The King of Hearts. Despite the fact that mime isn’t the number one medium for entertainment these days, these dramas are still incredibly powerful. As I read today’s passage, I’m reminded of The King of Hearts because on the Day of the Lord, just like in the mime, people’s masks will fall away.
Verse one orients us to that Day when the Messiah will rule, while verse 2 provides a poetic description. However, in verse 3 we read, “the eyes of those who see will not be blinded, and the ears of those who hear will listen.” God’s transformation will allow people to see and understand truth in a new way. All people will understand truth and receive clarity (4). People will be known as they are (5–8). Isaiah’s warning to the people of Judah is that they must live in light of this reality. In the same way, we must live consistently with our assured future.
Verses 9–18 appeal to the women of Judah to repent similar to that of men in 31:6. Isaiah’s warning in verse 9 is especially convicting for most of us, “Rise up, you women who are at ease, And hear my voice; Give ear to my word, You complacent daughters.” Although this was directed specifically at the women of Judah, this is a warning to us all. We are not safe. We must not be comfortable in this life. Instead, we are called to “Rise up!”
In this passage, Isaiah warns Judah of the impending judgment while maintaining a future-oriented view. Repentance is called for on the basis of a future with the Lord. Things would get bad (10–11). And yet, our hope is sure and God’s deliverance will come (16).
We all struggle with masks. Before a relationship with God through Jesus, our mask is all we have. We want people to think of us in a certain way. We want respect, honor, love, and admiration. Yet, as this passage suggests, many people who the world esteems as great are, in truth, frauds. Let that not be true of us. Let us, instead, live consistently with our hope.
Sometimes consistency means taking the mask off and admitting, “I’m not ok. I don’t have it all together.” A person’s real self isn’t always the same self that we see on Sunday morning. The day is coming when Christ will arrive as Judge and Ruler. Your mask will be removed. It’s time now, that we take it off by choice—Rise up! Repent and turn to the Lord and walk in a manner worthy of your great salvation.
By: Tyler Short — Connections Ministry Associate
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