Readers, by now, you might know of my ‘eye strategic.’
It’s from a career in international development,
That emphasized Goals, Purposes, Outputs, Inputs,
And anticipated End-of-Project/Program achievements.
Managing this kind of work accentuates tactics.
So when The Lord Jesus prompted me in retirement,
To apply my skills to re-reading His Holy Word,
I clearly understood His higher intention:
To unpack and parse therein what to me might be blurred,
And to perceive what, in our day, is most relevant.
As I progress in this rather unique assignment,
So many blurred points have become much clearer,
Aspects of His strategic and tactical approaches,
And repeating patterns that are much sharper!
In my understanding, I have grown more confident.
Yet there are some aspects of His strategic approaches,
About which I have deep longings to know so much more.
As I observe developments across our world today,
One in particular relates to His remnant corps,
Folks He allows to survive through His …judgment agendas!
From His heart of compassionate love for humanity,
Plus an undying desire for us to learn righteousness,
The Lord typically leaves a remnant in the wake of judgments, 1
A mixed group of folks who’re righteous and ignominious. 2
Hey! Does that mean the righteous are damaged …collaterally?? 3
This point has long boggled my mind, and I would bet yours, too!
That righteous folks get wracked in The Lord’s judgment tragedies,
Right along with the worst sinners in the bunch,
On the surface, might seem to us like ...justice travesties!
So I thought; that’s until …deeper in His wisdom I grew.
Apostle Paul wrote:
‘Oh, the deep riches of wisdom and knowledge of God,
Whose judgments are un-searchable; His ways past finding out.’ 4
Yet, he later affirmed, ‘But we (righteous) have The Mind of Christ.’
Hey Paul, is that a contradiction? What’s that all about?
‘No, J! Just like you, in wisdom I grew. It’s not flawed.’ 5
So why this curious strategic or tactical pattern??
I am sure there are reasons we can never fathom,
But here are two insights I will share with you:
1. The Lord is our help, even across judgments’ chasms!!
Tip: Build-up strong faith in this promise,
well before judgments happen!
2. The Lord has clear lessons in the un-righteous remnant to stir.
One might be exceptionally strong demonstration-effects,
That can only be learned by witnessing His blessings,
That accrue upon righteous folks who, through judgments,
are not vexed!!!
Their righteous salt preserves them, and testifies to on-lookers.
Imagine how those points played out in these mixed remnant groups:
--Of eight souls in the flood, only one was declared righteous – Noah.
--In the wilderness sojourn, only a few were righteous – Moses, Joshua, Caleb.
--In captivity, righteous Judaens were protected; Daniel/Esther rose to prominence. 6
--As David fled from Saul & Absalom, folks were chastened by his righteousness.
--In The Millennial Reign, the worst-ever sinners will be ruled by resurrected saints slain by the anti-Christ government in the tribulation age. 7
When you see the righteous apparently caught in judgments’ nets,
STOP …and ponder the message in this poem.
Train your 'inner eyes' to look well beyond what they may see.
If they see some righteous folks as victims,
Look l-o-n-g and closely to perceive their …distinguishing effects.
Yes, Friends, The Lord knows how to protect and preserve His saints,
In and through any broad judgments aimed at those who are not.
What may appear to be saints, as collateral damages,
May well be Him loosening them from their binding knots,
To demonstrate righteous trust to folks who, stressed-out,
…will faint.
What an AWESOME God and Lord we serve!!!
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1 See: Isaiah 14:22-23 and 30 for two examples in which The Lord promises to wipe out even the remnants of two ancient, wicked nations.
2 Ignominious – contemptible; marked with or characterized by disgrace or shame
3 Collateral damages – damages incidental to a targeted activity; unintended damages
4 See: Romans 11:33 (paraphrased).
5 So I imagine… ;o)
6 See: Jeremiah 24 to know The Lord’s heart toward most Judeans He sent into Babylonian and Persian captivity.
7 See: and Worst of the Worst (Poem) and Fresh Troops, Incoming (Poem)
Your poem reflects deep contemplation on the theological question of why righteous individuals may suffer alongside the unrighteous during times of divine judgment. The Biblical strategic and tactical pattern you observed, where a remnant of both righteous and unrighteous individuals survive The Lord's judgments, prompts reflection on the nature of His wisdom, and the lessons to be gleaned from such events.
ReplyDeleteYour insights into the rationale for this pattern give us valuable perspectives on how The Lord works in the midst of judgment and adversity. The emphasis on building strong faith “before” judgments occur, and the demonstration effects of witnessing blessings upon the righteous amidst judgment, are particularly thought-provoking.
The Biblical examples illustrate how the righteous were preserved, and often rose to prominence despite the surrounding judgment and turmoil. They serve as reminders of The Lord's faithfulness to protect and preserve His saints even in the midst of widespread judgment.
Your poem encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances to discern the deeper workings of The Lord's providence and the distinguishing effects of righteousness amidst adversity. It underscores the importance of trusting in The Lord's sovereignty and recognizing His ultimate purposes, even when faced with seemingly unjust suffering.
Overall, your poem offers a compelling exploration of a challenging theological topic. It provides valuable insights for reflection and contemplation. May readers deepen their understanding of The Lord's ways, and their trust in His faithfulness amidst life’s uncertainties.