Smooth

Isaiah 30:9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord; 10 who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, 11 leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel"

Smooth. Easy. Comfortable. That is the way we like it. Smooth skin, whiskey or whatever it maybe, we as Americans don't like to be frustrated, ruffled or corrected. We don't like brash truth that tells us bad news. We like and aim for a smooth life of material blessing and comfort. News flash for us all: that robs us of real learning from God and feeds our flesh. The sanctification process runs counter to that, it kills the flesh and builds our faith in the Triune God. They are battling against each other and they both can not be nurtured by the same thing. The things of this world nurtures our flesh. The things of God, like His Word and Spirit frustrate our flesh so that we will submit and praise Him. When we see and hear about the Holiness of God and his desire to draw us back to that Holiness, it clearly shows our sinful nature and our helplesness without Him. That is not something we want to hear. We aren't used to being told those things.

Isaiah is prophesying about Israel about 2,700 years ago, but His words are wise to consider today. The Israelites didn't want to hear what God was tryng to say to His people because he was trying to get them to repent from their wrongdoings and that made them uncomfortable. It made them feel like they were out of control. He was trying to share truth of their straying from Him, and His desire to heal them, but they just thought God was messing up their lavish, comfortable lifestyle. So you know what they did? They just didn't listen to what God said, and brought fourth some speakers who would speak "smooth" words to them so they could feel good about themselves.

Now without question the Gospel of Christ bring peace to the soul. But it only truly does it to the soul who has been totally brought to the end of its self and begs for a savior. As we walk deeper with Christ, we still need the truth of God's word to shape us. I meet many people who don't understand that they were born enemies of God, slaves to sin and controlled by the devil (all biblical hard truths). If we never hear these hard words and understand our natural position as children of wrath, then what are we saved from? This is the tension that the gospel relieves. Do you feel this tension in your life? Do you celebrate Christ as the reliever of this tension? This is the fuel for worship. This is the driver of Praise for Christ and we never get there without some not so "smooth" words.

So Yes appreciate the smooth words that heal, but listen eagerly to the hard words that shape us as well. Hard truths are good for the soul.