Get Up, Stand Up…In Faith

Isaiah 7:1-9

The late Bob Marley, a well-respected singer of politically charged reggae music, recorded the song “Get Up, Stand Up.”

Most people think,

Great god will come from the skies,

Take away everything

And make everybody feel high.

But if you know what life is worth,

You will look for yours on earth:

And now you see the light,

You stand up for your rights.

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!

Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Marley was affiliated with the Rastafari movement which began in his homeland of Jamaica among poor people of African descent. These people felt marginalized by the predominant culture. So, while borrowing heavily from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures, Rastifari beliefs emphasize an Afrocentrism, an end to racism, and the liberation of oppressed peoples everywhere. I believe it is these sincere beliefs that are reflected in Marley’s words.

And frankly, I’m not sure Isaiah would disagree entirely with Marley’s perspective. The poor and the oppressed are of particular concern to God, and should be—but too often are not—of particular concern to us as well. Yet Isaiah also reminds us that “If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9). The context for Isaiah’s comments was the threat posed to Judah by the armies of Aram and Israel. Isaiah assured the King of Judah that his nation was safe if it would stand firm in God. So it is not enough to “stand up for your rights,” one must stand on the proper foundation, the one that God alone offers.

Yes, that foundation can be misrepresented, can be abused by those posing as people of faith. The prophet frequently condemns such abuse as offensive to God. Ultimately it is God whose will is done and in whose light we must stand if we seek to change the world for the better. There is a struggle to be waged. There are concerns to be addressed. People of faith must constantly work for a better, fairer world, should stand up for the rights of others to live full, meaningful lives. But only God can show the direction those efforts must take, for it is only in God that we can truly stand firm.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength and the determination we need to make the world a place of peace and love for all people according to your will. For it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.