“Don’t just stand there. Do something!” There are times that call for action. This feels like one of those times. What shall we do about the brokenness of our world?
Israel faced the same problem. They continued to drift from God, but as the consequences of foreign armies drew closer, they thought they should strengthen their military. But Israel’s greatest strength had never been her military. They battled best when they knew the battle was the Lord’s. By losing their spiritual strength, like Samson in earlier days, they rose to battle and found their strength was gone.
Isaiah told the Israelites that their strength was in quietness and rest, trust and repentance. Returning to the Lord would lead to victory. But Israel thought they could outrun their foes. So Isaiah said, “If you run, you will continue to run. Your foes will catch you. Stay where you are and wait on the Lord so that you renew your strength. God longs to be gracious to you.”
I have a friend at the athletic club who loves to pray for the people who go there. We talk from time to time. Today we ran into each other in a restaurant. With her were family members for whom I had prayed. I told her our church was just up the street. Then she asked me, “Have you voted yet?” I told her that I will this week. She said, “It is the most important thing we can do.” I said, “It is very important. But the most important thing the church can do is be the church. When we sang and prayed and proclaimed the good news of Jesus today we were doing the most important thing.” She nodded in agreement.
What exactly is the purpose of the church in our world today? Are we primarily here to bring the moral standard higher? This is so important. Our world seems to have lost its moral compass. Certainly, we can stand up and speak up for what is right. Yes. Amen. But greater still, we are here to bring people into relationship with Jesus. People do not become moral by trying harder or even by passing laws but by being transformed by grace. If we live out our calling and tell people the good news, some will believe and this will change our world. Don’t just do something. Stand there. Be the church. Watch God work.
