Isaiah 14:1-23

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

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The Christian rock group, Petra, wrote this song:

Son of the morning--highest of all
You had so much going till you took the fall
Had a place in the glory but you wanted it all
Impossible odds but you had the gall
It seemed so unlikely that you would rebel
Such a worthy opponent that you knew so well
But you went down fighting when you heard the bell
Took a third of all heaven when you went to hell

This means war--and the battle's still raging
War--and though both sides are waging
The Victor is sure and the victory secure
But till judgement we all must endure
This Means War!
 

Whatever the historical context, all commentators agree with PETRA and regard this as a reflection on the origins of Satan...ushering in the cosmic battle between Good and evil. Just in case you think this whole "good and evil" thing is God's fault, it's not. Satan started it all.

And...this means war!

Again...it's pride. Can we see the pattern? Evil was conceived in pride at the outset. It's ugliness has infected us all. If we are not willing to let God excise that sin from our lives we await the same fate. "Those who see you will gaze at you, They will ponder over you, saying, Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms?"

It's easy to wonder if such a systemic failure can ever be overcome. I like what PETRA says: "The Victor is sure and the victory secure"

Live boldly out there today...