THE GOODEST OF GOOD NIGHTS OUT

What is a good night out? How do we quantify good? The English tongue has a deliciously rich vocabulary but we tend to come back to words like 'good' an awful lot. Good. Goooooooood.

Last night we headlined at a benefit concert for the Haiti Hospital appeal in Yeovil. It was one of those nights where everything clicks. The sound, lights, other artists (all friends from the Nth - click here), the audience, and most importantly - the reason. The reason for the event was GOOD. All involved came away from Yeovil feeling like they were part of something that makes a difference in this world.

We do have a luxury in this Western society of being able to have a lot of fun in the name of a good cause. It's not something we should take for granted. Thank you Lord that we live in a stable and safe place, free from the terror of earthquakes and the like.

Isaiah 58 verses 6 to 12 talk about the kind of worship that God really wants. The prophet Isaiah is speaking to a nation in exile who had forgotten that they were a nation liberated from slavery in Egypt. Now they had really lost the plot of what pleases God; justice and mercy. Here is Isaiah calling out what really matters to God, and what will happen when that call is answered. It rings true for the church today, and moves me every time I read it...

⁶ "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

¹⁰ and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.

¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.

¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Last night many gave out of their purses and wallets answer the call of fellow human beings the other side of the world. It's a beautiful thing.

Check out the promises of God that follow the 'if's' in this passage, they are pretty stunning. When we respond to God's heart for justice, a blessing follows. But it's an IF.

When the good folk of Yeovil gathered last night, they gave, and responded. Now, God is being glorified as compassion s poured out. You have money in your pocket. What are you going to spend it on? Is there anything more amazing than using it to change someone's life and respond to the call of God for justice?

May we learn how much of a blessing it is to be able to bless. I pray the spirit of God show you the thrill of the adventure of justice. And, may we have many more truly GOOD nights like last night.

NB. You can still give to the Haiti Hospital Appeal. http://www.haitihospitalappeal.org/donate.html