Accurately Handling The Word of Truth (Part II)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

He said, “Go and tell this people: “‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes.[a] Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed.”

Isaiah 6:8-10 (NIV) 

"Those who have served through the ages and have drawn inspiration from the Book of Isaiah, when the Lord says: “Whom shall I send? Who shall go for us?” The American military has been answering for a long time. “Here I am, Lord. Send me. Here I am, send me.”"

President Biden- August 27, 2021 (transcript source)

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Almost exactly a year ago I wrote a post admonishing former vice-president Mike Pence over his misuse of Scripture. It seems only right that I do the same today.

I get it. I understand rhetorical flourish and echoing classic passages of literature to evoke emotion.

But we as followers of Christ are called to "be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB). What President Biden did yesterday is not accurately handling Scripture.

David Cassidy (a pastor and author) summed up my feelings brilliantly last night in a Twitter thread:

1. Isaiah 6 has profoundly impacted me & countless others with its staggering vision of God’s call & grace for the called. 

2. I revere our military service men & women and honor their dedication & sacrifice. 

It is dreadfully wrong to confuse those 2 forms of service. Stop it.

Don’t turn our military into holy warriors on a mission from God. Don’t apply a prophet’s summons to serve God with a summons to serve a country - any country! Politicians & Public servants in all parties - PLEASE STOP USING SCRIPTURE AS A PROP OR TO PROP UP YOUR FOLLY.

Tonight I mourn these losses. I mourn that more might be necessary. I mourn surrender to terrorist organizations. I mourn churches, sisters, & brothers under threat. These words from Isaiah do apply - “The nations are like a drop in a bucket, like dust on the scale.” Isaiah 40:15

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I wanted to come up with something wise and convicting to close this post with... I wanted to turn on my "pastor mojo" and finish with marching orders to my fellow followers of Christ.

But I'm tired. So tired of watching Biblical truth being used as a prop... by both political parties.

So, I once again leave you with this.

Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed.

Ephesians 6:18 (VOICE)

Note: the original version of this post said that David Cassidy is retired... I was wrong and he gently & kindly corrected me - so I corrected this post.