June 9, 2013 (Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 NLT
Observation: Solomon thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun where people have the power to hurt each other. He witnessed wicked people buried with honor, even though they were guilty of committing many evil crimes. Church going people that visited the Temple on a regular basis, living sinful and disobedient lives contrary to God’s holy standards. Because the crimes they committed had gone unpunished they continued in sin feeling they were safe. Due to the lack of discipline and absence of consequences people commit evil deeds with little thought or concern for their actions. Even though God doesn’t rain down on us fire from heaven immediately each time we sin, we must not assume that He doesn’t care or that He is ignoring our sins.
Application: When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong; there could be no greater example of this truth than America. Lack of discipline and a lowering of God’s holy standards have brought America to a disgusting reality. From the very top of our leadership anything is accepted and tolerated. There is no standard that anyone must live up to anymore. Leaders speak lies with a smile on their face and no fear in their heart of any consequence at all. One lie right after the other because the original lie was not punished quickly. People feel safe in doing wrong because they are deceived into believing they will never have to answer for anything they do even if they get caught red handed. All of these evil realities are proving God’s word to be true and ushering in the final judgment that no man will avoid!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word that is true and everlasting! God help America! Bring us to a place of repentance by Your mercy. Forgive our boastful arrogance that makes us feel safe committing evil. Deliver us from the deception that has overtaken us! Raise up Your holy standard before us and bring down those that commit evil. Punish us quickly Lord, so that we will not continue down this dreadful path, in Jesus name, Amen!