“And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot” (Isaiah 23:15).
TEXT — Isaiah 23:1-8
Message
Throughout human history, civilisations have risen and fallen due to war, epidemics, or natural disasters. This cycle of creation and destruction shapes the destiny of all, whether living or not. An example of a doomed city is Craco, Italy which was evacuated in 1963 due to safety concerns. Once a bustling city, it now lies in ruins and serves as a backdrop for movies and tourism. This illustrates the delicate balance between growth and decline in the course of history.
Tyre was what historians call a city-state. Technically, it was a big city. However, they were independent in that they relied upon their own military for protection and their own resources for maintenance and sustenance, as explained in our text. God’s dealings with them serve as a reminder that He, the Ruler of the universe, is the Sovereign of all nations. If a nation persists in defying God despite repeated warnings, He has the power and will to bring it down. Throughout the 18 verses that presented this city’s regrettable postmortem, there is nothing good to write about it. It was described as a harlot whose iniquities overshadowed its otherwise beautiful scenery. Concerning its end, Isaiah prophesied that the city’s joy would be cut short.
Looking at our modern cities today, we see a sad parallel to the situation in Tyre. Our civilisation and progress have brought a feeling of self-reliance and independence from God. The moral and spiritual decline in our society is all too apparent. We see the killing of unborn babies justified by arguments about women’s rights. There’s also a concerning increase in violent crimes, child abuse, and exploitation through pornography.
Additionally, there is a growing acceptance of same-sex marriages and other unconventional lifestyles, along with a flood of explicit content in TV shows, movies, and literature. These issues are compounded by a lack of respect for authority, overpopulated correctional facilities, and a disturbing number of deaths from drug overdoses. The situation is deeply troubling.
We must pray for a moral and spiritual revival throughout the nations of the world. We should sound the alarm loud enough to wake up the consciousness of those who are spiritually asleep around us.
Thought for the day
Those who turn their backs on God’s word self-destruct.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
2 comments
I love this app for daily spiritual feeding on God ‘s only word
O lord, help me not to ever turn my back against you and your Word as long as l live, in Jesus’ name, Amen. I refuse to join the multitude to compromise God’s Words in Jesus’ name, Amen. Help me O Lord!
I love this app for daily spiritual feeding on God ‘s only word
O lord, help me not to ever turn my back against you and your Word as long as l live, in Jesus’ name, Amen. I refuse to join the multitude to compromise God’s Words in Jesus’ name, Amen. Help me O Lord!