God is in charge. I find comfort in that.
At the same time I am not sanguine about our future. In Psalm 81 the author, Asaph, spends a number of verses reviewing all the things God did for His people and then gets to the part that concerns me,
(Psa 81:11-12 KJV) But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.First, we cannot expect the blessings of God when we spend our time spitting in His face. Do you really see out leaders doing what is right or lining their own pockets. Their interest is power. To achieve that power they first turned on God on their way to turning on the American people. It you don’t see it then you might want to ask what counsel you are following. This is not something that suddenly emerged from nowhere like the universe at Creation. It has been in the shadows and on the screens for years.
Second, “my people” historically was the Jews. Today it could be used to refer to Christians who are sincere believers in and followers of Jesus. Historically the result of not harkening was the approach of disaster. The same it true for us today.
The answer to the problems of violence and decay that we see everywhere is right in front of us. It is available. It involves repentance and a change of how we live. God is waiting but He is not willing to give you an advance on an unsecured loan. It gets repeated until our ears are dull, but let me give it to you again,
(2Ch 7:14 KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.The part of this we refuse is the “turn from their wicked ways”. That is hard to do when we live in a world that denies sin and the church that is responsible to call us to repentance also refusing to denounce sin.
It starts with me but don’t think that lets you off the hook.
homo unius libri
Amen!
ReplyDeleteBefore Nov 3 I was reading Ezekiel. The parallels were impossible to miss with Ahab and Jezebel. We certainly have a bonafide Jezebel! When God had had his fill the whole nation was taken into exile. Present day we were given four years. God showed us “this is what I meant for you”. Still evil flourished and multiplied a hundred fold. I was given a fleece in my desperate prayers; a future and a hope. Cryptic thoughts.
ReplyDeleteGod's patience is unbelievable except it fits with His character. If my memory serves me correctly Ahab was in the northern kingdom that never had a Godly king. In spite of that God let them go on for centuries.
DeleteGrace and peace
Turn from their wicked ways. But even the remnant of believers are tolerant of evil, accepting the main stream torrent of being politically correct. Lukewarm to evil or fearful of reprisal. The laws that have been enacted are disgusting. I am overwhelmed with the lies and lawlessness. No one is accountable but conservatives. No one has to resign or face investigation or even feel shame but conservatives. Pray for our Lord’s courage and wisdom to wash over the remnant whose prayers have been bombarding the Lord! Lord, what about the ten, what about the five - Abraham
ReplyDeleteIf I was not so aware of my own failings I would wax strong about the so-called believers who are "tolerant of evil". Wimpy pastors and false prophets abound in the church. It may come back to the days of house churches hiding in basements.
DeleteWe live in interesting times but I imagine that there have been many times in history when Christians have said that.
Grace and peace