Isaiah and Iraq

I loved seeing the people of Iraq vote today, seeing their defiance against those who have tried to prevent them from voting through violence and threats of more. I was especially touched by the story of the 90-something year old lady who rode to the polling place in a wheel barrow so that she could have her say.

Most of what we see and read about what's going on in Iraq is the result of media's requirement to gain and maintain audience. That means that we see violence and threats of violence and a lot of interviews with people who oppose what we are trying to do there. Controversy and bad news attract audience. That makes it easy to lose focus on what's good and right about what our people are doing there.

Our daughter-in-law Kathy's brother Robert volunteered to go back because he so believed in what his Army unit was doing to help rebuild Iraq and help the people there. He'll talk at length about the good that is being done, but which doesn't make the news.

We're all challenged to know and understand why we're in Iraq, and why our young men and women have to pay the price. As a dad whose son is doing his second tour, I can assure you "the why" is something you give a lot of thought. While our nation's protection is a valid reason for being there, I've come to believe that there is a more important reason.

Several years ago, I was asked to teach a 13-week series on Isaiah. It's a book mostly known and discussed because of it's prophesies about the coming of Jesus. But as I studied it as never before while preparing to teach, I was struck by the strong judgment God will pronounce not only on leaders who enslave, abuse, and mistreat their subjects, but also on those who sit back and allow it to happen. A full reading of Isaiah leaves no doubt that God expects people to stand up for justice, fair treatment, and righteousness of others. And as a result, I've come to believe that to be the compelling reason for our nation committing itself to the continued conflict in Iraq, for John's service in harm's way, and for the sacrifice of so many.

May God increase our sensitivity for oppressed and abused people and give us the courage to do what we can to restore justice and fair treatment. May God also provide protection for those carrying out that mission and comfort to those who have paid dearly in this cause.

And may He allow the lady in the wheelbarrow to live to see the promise of her vote fulfilled.