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The children of Israel were progressing. Finally, the dependency for direction of the cloud leading by day and fire by night was over. No longer waiting for manna, or living hand to mouth as we call it. Upon receiving the blessings of God they became comfortable. Instead of being the influence they were greatly influenced by surrounding nations. Slowly but surely, the Israelites begin to turn away from God. The problem with "doing good" is it's never popular.
Isaiah 63 speaks of how God judges his people. In fact, the New Century Version (NCV), verse 10 & 11 states "But they turned against him and made his Holy Spirit very sad. So he became their enemy, and he fought against them." In our nation there isn’t a group of people who so strongly identify with the deliverance of God depicted with Israel as those of the African brought to America.
This people who were not a people became one. Although they came from various tribes, languages, and countries they became one by their slave ship journey. The Americans taught African slaves of their God. Their ears heard and hearts pondered the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery. They heard of God’s great deliverance and they placed their hope and trust in Christ. And after a time God’s hand moved them to freedom.
Today, many African American communities are plagued with brokenness, addictions, illiteracy, and violence. We fight against poverty but we are dealing with an infraction. Our communities are faced with a moral dilemma of turning away from what is good.
In addition to money and opportunity we desperately need a pivotal turn in the right direction. Certainly it works. God help us as we make a spiritual shift to enjoy what is good and to remember His plan is to prosper us and give us hope as we live in Him.
From long ago no one has ever heard of a God like you. No one has ever seen a God besides you, who helps the people who trust you. You help those who enjoy doing good, who remember how you want them to live. Isaiah 64:4 (NCV)
