Please, Mr. Custer...

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. (Isaiah 43:19-21 ESV).

OK y’all, while I hope today’s devotional will encourage and inspire you, I also hope to bring a both of laughter into your day. You may remember a march novelty song, sung by Larry Verne in the 60’s. There is a video of the song that you must really spend three minutes and watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXRarvh-BxQ. It was written by Al De Lory, Fred Darian, and Joseph Van Winkle and rose to #1 in 1960. It is a comical song about a soldier's plea to General Custer before the climactic Battle of the L:ittle Bighorn against the Sioux. I call that song and video to you attention because the soldier asks an important question. Lamenting, he calls out, “What am I doing here?” It is a question many have asked through the years. It certainly is not limited to philosophers and theologians. And it’s not only “What am I doing here?” The question is more personal: “Why am I here?” Our reading offers an answer through the prophet Isaiah. Later the Apostle Peter will take up the answer (cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10). God gives the same answer in both places. He simply sais he formed his people for himself, that we may proclaim his praise, and we “are a chosen people … God’s special possession,” that we may “declare [his] praises.” The truth stands today for all God’s people. And each one is a valued part of this people (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). I heard a preacher once say poetically, “We have been formed for God’s praise, informed about Christ for his praise, and conformed to Christ for his praise.” I would add that we are also being transformed by Christ for his praise. Anything that falls short of his praise must be labeled deformed or, at best, unformed or uninformed. There are no exceptions. Every thought, every action and attitude, every glance, every memory and desire, every plan and hope, all are to be for his praise and only for his praise. And here is the amazing truth. Though our sin brings sorrow and detracts from praising God, it is forgiven so that we may give God praise: “In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins … for the praise of his glory” (cf. Ephesians 1:7, 12). Lent is a good time to live up to why we are here! In such a critical time as we find ourselves these days, dare we do anything less that focus our actions and voices in giving God praise?