Trinity United Methodist Church Daily Scripture Email Devotion for Monday, 23 June 2014 "God over all"

Trinity United Methodist Church Daily Scripture Email Devotion for Monday, 23 June 2014 "God over all"
An oracle concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw: (Isaiah 13:1)
Chapters 13 - 27 of Isaiah are known as "Oracles against the Nations."  Isaiah addresses one nation after another with the pronouncement of God.  Why is this important; why is it included in the Book of Isaiah?  Because, more than any other prophet or writer of his era, Isaiah sees God as God over all the world.  Most people saw their god as a tribal god, with each tribe or nation having its own god.  Isaiah lifted monotheism to a whole new level, and proclaimed that all nations, every nation came under both God's judgment and God's love.
Because God is God over all the world, none of us has a special claim on God, no special privilege before God.  I remember being in Germany many years ago and seeing signs and inscriptions that read, "Das Volk Gottes," or The People of God, which was a part of Nazi propaganda.  All countries, even ours, try to bend God's privilege toward themselves/ourselves, but the word from Isaiah is that this is not appropriate.
While I love to sing "God bless America," and do pray for our beloved country, it's important that we remember that that prayer brings not so much special privilege or favor, but more likely special responsibility - to live in accordance with God's will and way.
Tell me how Trinity can serve you better.
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