Every mouth utters foolishness like a wildfire, out of control;
wickedness rages, leveling and clearing briars and thorns;
Forests and thickets burn, leaving the whole a smoking heap. Isaiah 9:17 The Voice
Today as I looked out over the hillside I could see the smoke from the Canadian forest fires hanging in the low places. It amazes me how far that smoke travelled and is so visible. My first thoughts were about the cloud that was over and guided the Israelites during the day in wilderness and how massive it must have been for so many people to benefit from it. Then my mind went to the smoke of the glory of the Lord that filled Solomon’s Temple so the Priests couldn’t remain in the Temple. How awesome must that have been.
But then I found today’s verse and it gave a new perspective, simply because it’s a picture of what’s happening in the world today. The anger and hate that spew out of peoples mouths. The deception and lies spoken that are like a lit match on hay and spreads destruction so quickly. The untruths created and woven into a narrative to drive people to fear and acting out against anything that is perceived to be a threat. Once the fire of hate and fear are ignited, they destroy everything in their path and the smoldering remnants of broken and ruined lives lay in its wake.
But as Believers through Holy Spirit we have the ability to quench these fires by speaking the truth in love and kindness. We also can help rebuild all that which has been destroyed. We can help restore these broken lives with the power of the love of Jesus as we reach out to all those who are dealing with loss. We can help turn that which was meant for evil into good and see many turn and run into the arms of Jesus and find the healing and hope they need. Let’s be the holy water that restores and renews through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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