September 18: Of Complacency, Wottle and Isaiah

Isaiah 28:14-30:11

Galatians 3:23-4:31

Psalm 62:1-12

Proverbs 23:19-21

There is a genre of videos on YouTube dedicated to premature celebrations - in sports, mostly.  People who think they've won the fight and start celebrating, and then are knocked out.  Or runners or cyclists who begin the victory dance before breaking the tape and come in second.   They think they've won, they stop trying, and they lose.  It is a genre dedicated to complacency.

And directly opposite that, there's the video of Dave Wottle, in the 800M run in the 1972 Munich Olympics.  Dead last, by a wide margin, for over half a race, he fought back.  The video is worth watching - it can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86NFrS1RJQc

Isaiah understood the danger of complacency.  He wrote the prophecies of warning in today's Old Testament reading around, or shortly after the time of renewal under Hezekiah.  In everything Hezekiah did, "he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.  And so he prospered."  (2 Chr 31:21).  It was during this time Judah warned of a complacency, a security founded on the rediscovered prosperity,  not on the Lord. 

Like Dave Wottle, Isaiah understood the Israelites - indeed, all the faithful - are in a battle.  Where Wottle's battle was over 800 meters and a minute forty-five, ours is every step we take over the entire time we have on earth.  And unlike those in the premature celebration videos, Isaiah understood the need to stay focused the entire time we were at war, even when prosperity made it seem like we had an insurmountable lead. 

Father, things aren't all that easy now.  But one day, they may get easier again.  Whether easy or difficult, whether in the lead or behind, remind us that our race isn't over till we have come home to You.  Protect us from complacency; keep us fighting to know You, to love You, to trust You, and to be with You every day of our life.