“For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.”
- Isaiah 25:4 NASB1995
As I read this passage today I wanted to know what the word ‘ruthless’ meant. It wasn’t hard thanks to the Internet.
It turns out that it means ‘cruel, without mercy or compassion.’ This struck quite a chord in me as living in America I see the ‘ruthless’ often in the actions of the self-proclaimed ‘conservative Christian right.’
I’m not being political here. I’m speaking of Christians. This post is about Christian behavior examined by Biblical scripture and its importance.
Yes, many are heavily involved in politics. The more involved, often the more ruthless because politics are about the affairs of this world. And we’ve many lessons about the warfare between our flesh (worldliness) and the spirit (the kingdom of God).
And many of the political leaders of the ‘right’ easily proclaim they are Christian, or stand for Christian values. And many are absolutely ruthless. They are the epitome of ruthless in this scripture. They are the opposite of all God is in this passage.
Again, I realize this comes off as political but it isn’t about politics to me. It is about the Word of God. It is about what we are instructed as Christians to be and behave.
Those who use God’s name in vain need to see the danger of such behavior.
Those who forget the needy and helpless and are ruthless yet say they are Christian or represent Christian values need to be examined by every Christian. And Christians must examine them by the standard God gave us- the Word of God.
What we do and who we support and those we listen to and follow must be tested always by God’s Word- as the Holy Spirit teaches to us.
Man spends too much time trying to make God fit their idea of holiness instead of seeking God with the right heart to know God and His desire for man.
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