Amid our politically charged atmosphere, putting politics in proper perspective is in order. On second thought, putting politics in proper perspective is always in order. And Isaiah 6 does this handily. So it would be good for us to ponder it often—and see the political powers that be in the light of the glory of the Lord.
"In the year that king Uzziah died. . . " (Isa. 6:1). He had reigned some forty years. But there he lay, motionless, breathless, lifeless. I'd say he lacked the royal dignity and public pomp once characterizing his reign as he lay there a bag of decomposing bones. Over against Uzziah's finite life and reign, Isaiah sees "the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up" (Isa. 6:1). Uzziah is long gone; YHWH is still reigning. For as another Scripture tells us,YHWH is King forever: "YHWH sat enthroned at the flood; YHWH sits enthroned, King forever" (Ps. 29:10; translation mine). He rules in salvation and judgment over the nations, and the most potent potentates fade before his majesty.
Another important text that comes to mind in the wake of North Korea's inflamatory in-your-face actions against South Korea is Ps. 46:8-11:
Come, behold the works of YHWH,
how he has wrought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!'
YHWH of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
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