Isaiah 32:8 But the noble man makes noble plans,
and by noble deeds he stands.

This is one of those rare passages where I like the NIV better than the Japanese! In the second half of the verse, the Japanese just says, “He always does noble things.” However, reading the Japanese does drive home the meaning of “noble,” which is “high quality or value.” The point of this verse is that character is demonstrated in both thoughts (plans) and actions (deeds). Really thinking about that should give anyone pause! The passage doesn’t give any detail as to just what “noble” would be, but the previous two verses describe the opposite pretty clearly. Having gotten this far, I am drawn to verse 5: “No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.” That is a prophecy of relief from what we see in many circles today. Both government and the entertainment industry seem to be nests of “highly respected scoundrels!” When a person’s character is ignored by society, we have a real problem. There will always be fools and scoundrels, but when they are called noble and are highly respected, that shows that society itself is sick. The remedy is for those who recognize the problem to be consistent in their own lives, not giving support to distorted values by their words and actions. In other words, by not watching/paying for ignoble entertainment, for example, and by not ignoring character flaws in politicians and other leaders. We are back to the statement that “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” Everyone who cares about such things needs to see to it that their own plans and actions are noble.

This is an issue I have been concerned about, yet I have felt powerless to affect. I have been far more emotionally involved in politics in recent years that I ever was before, but to this point that hasn’t produced results that were pleasing to me. I need to walk in personal purity and indeed pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) After all, verse 5 is a prophecy, and I can pray for its fulfillment!

Father, I’m back to what You said years ago, that there are lots of things in the world that You aren’t happy about. Help me rest in the assurance that You will indeed make them all right in Your time, and keep myself available to You for however You choose to use me to that end, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!