I listen to the trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound
I march to the drumbeat of God Almighty
While the others just wander around
I’m a member of the Holy Ghost traveling band
We’re moving on up to a better land
I hear the voice of the Supernatural singing
Like only those who know Him can

*Composer, Russ Taft

In a world full of noise, voices clamoring for our attention, we must find a place where we meet God in silence so we can hear only His voice.  This is God’s Place for us.  The world we live in gets noisier every day.  So, it is even more imperative that we, like Jesus, come away to a quiet place to have a conversation with God.  By the way, a conversation is where one talks then listens for what the other one has to say.  So, we talk, assured that God listens.  Then we listen to His voice speak to our hearts and minds with words that go deep into our souls.  We end the conversation with grateful praise for the One most high who bent down to listen and speak with us.  This is Amazing Love. This is a great conversation!

The more we listen the louder HIS voice becomes in our lives.

One sweet sound makes
A whole world of difference
When the world seems indifferent to you
His melody of love calls you to be great
When marking time was all you thought you could do
So if you’ve been playing all your days by ear
Never knowing what your song was to be
Then pull up a chair, let down your hair
And take a few lessons from me…

Isaiah 18, The Message

People Mighty and Merciless

^1-2 Doom to the land of flies and mosquitoes
    beyond the Ethiopian rivers,
Shipping emissaries all over the world,
    down rivers and across seas.

Go, swift messengers,
    go to this people tall and handsome,
This people held in respect everywhere,
    this people mighty and merciless,
    from the land crisscrossed with rivers.

³ Everybody everywhere,
    all earth-dwellers:
When you see a flag flying on the mountain, look!
    When you hear the trumpet blown, listen!

^4-6 For here’s what God told me:

“I’m not going to say anything,
    but simply look on from where I live,
Quiet as warmth that comes from the sun,
    silent as dew during harvest.”
And then, just before harvest, after the blossom
    has turned into a maturing grape,
He’ll step in and prune back the new shoots,    ruthlessly hack off all the growing branches.
He’ll leave them piled on the ground
    for birds and animals to feed on—
Fodder for the summering birds,
    fodder for the wintering animals.

⁷ Then tribute will be brought to God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    brought from this people tall and handsome,
This people once held in respect everywhere,
    this people once mighty and merciless,
From the land crisscrossed with rivers,
    to Mount Zion, God’s place.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The original text has “Cush,” a land that covers the area now occupied by Ethiopia, the Sudan, and Somalia. Isaiah called it a “land with buzzing wings” (flies and mosquitoes) not only because of the insects that infested the land but also because of the frantic diplomatic activity going on as the nation sought alliances to protect them from Assyria. He pictures the ambassadors in their light, swift boats, going to the African nations for help. But God tells them to go back home because He would deal with Assyria himself, apart from the help of any army.  God will do what HE thinks is best.

In contrast to the frantic human activity on earth is the calm patience of God in heaven as He awaits the right time to reap the harvest of judgment. Assyria is pictured as a ripening vine that will never survive, for God will cut it down.  Believers who follow God’s voice and obey will be the remnant He will use to bring justice through His love, mercy and grace in the Person of Jesus Christ.

We must remember that this passage is a prophecy of things to come.  Instead of rushing here and there with diplomatic plans, the Ethiopians will go to Jerusalem with gifts for the Lord and for the king of Judah. When the messianic kingdom is established, the Gentile nations will go to Mount Zion to worship the Lord and bring Him gifts (Is. 60:1–7).

Listen to God.  Listen to the trumpet voice of Jesus as He calls us to come to God with a pure heart.

A spiritual fanfare has a sound all its own
At the birth of a lasting song
It’s been two thousand years since Jesus was born
And still the celebration goes on
If you feel the need to get your life in tune
‘Cause you’re tired of the dirge every day
Then turn yourself around
Put your feet on the ground
And just hear what I have to say…

I listen to the trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound
I march to the drumbeat of God Almighty
While the others just wander around
I’m a member of the Holy Ghost traveling band
We’re moving on up to a better land
I hear the voice of the Supernatural singing
Like only those who know Him can!

Can you hear the trumpet of Jesus?  Listen.  Believe.  Repent.  Live!

In Jesus Name, For His Glory, Yes and Amen!