Confusion of Face

In anyone’s point-of-view the world we live in is in a mess, and most will agree that things will get worse before they get better. The evidence of that mess is evident in current social, political, and economic conditions. The social ills of racism, crime, domestic violence and child neglect, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, and a myriad of others are rampant. You probably don’t need confirmation of this, but if you do spend some time in the emergency room waiting area of a public hospital in almost any sizable city. The recent presidential campaign brought out the worst in both conservatives and liberals, Democrats and Republicans. The national and global economic woes perhaps affect us more directly than the others. The current situation with the financial institutions, the auto industry, the real estate market, and the related construction industry has touched us all. The unemployment figures published by the government this week verify that times are hard and will get harder before this is over. Why has all of this happened?

All of these issues have spiritual roots. My purpose is not to point fingers or proclaim God’s judgment on anyone, but at least some of the problems are a consequence of the failure of God’s people. I will leave the details of that to another post, but the consequences are clear. We seem to have lost our collective vision of what it means to be God’s people and have, subsequently, lost our way. I am very concerned about the church’s response to the current social, political, economic, and spiritual conditions and to the events, attitudes, and world view from which they come. Generally, that response has been arrogant, judgmental, and secular, based on our passions rather than on a passion for God.

Over the next few weeks I want to do two things with this blog. First, I want to examine the current situation and show the proper response of a biblical theist world view. Second, I want to challenge God’s people to actually respond properly, with repentance, faith, obedience, prayer, and fasting.

The name of this post expresses my idea about how God’s people should respond to the current situation. It comes from Daniel 9:7. “To thee, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us confusion of face.” The phrase ‘confusion of face’ is an idiom that can properly be translated ‘shame.’ One could paraphrase this verse, “To thee, O, Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us shame.” In this chapter Daniel was confessing the sin of his people and interceding for their spiritual condition. The Bible clearly states that the Israelites were in exile because of their unfaithfulness to God. Daniel’s response to their situation was to intercede for them because he knew that this was a problem that only God could solve. Such is our situation now. Only God can change the situation and our response is to intercede more than anything else.

So, over the next few weeks I will be writing about all these things and a few more. Don’t expect a post every day or even every week. I will be posting as I have time and something to say. I hope that is about once a week, but it may not be. In all this, my goal is to glorify God. He and he alone is worthy of all honor and praise for to him truly belongs righteousness.