August 16, 2013 (2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “I warned you when you were prosperous, but you replied, ‘Don’t bother me.’ You have been that way since childhood; you simply will not obey me!” Jeremiah 22:21 NLT
Observation: It was not God’s desire to destroy Judah and Jerusalem; the people simply left Him no choice. The fact that He warned them and pleaded with them, over and over again through His prophets to repent, proves His offer of mercy. He warned them long before everything went bad. In fact He was reaching out to Judah and Jerusalem from one generation after another hoping they would repent and turn back to Him alone. But the reply He received from the people was just like the response from a rebellious kid, “Don’t bother me!” These things that happened to Judah and Jerusalem were because of the Lord’s anger against their sins. He finally banished them from His presence and sent them into exile. They wanted other gods, so God finally gave them what they wanted. Turns out they really didn’t enjoy what they wanted when they got it.
Application: God is not slack concerning His promises, what He says, He will do. God’s patience is evidence and proof that He desires people to be saved, not destroyed. He is patient and longsuffering for our benefit, however one day His patience will come to an end. One day He will banish sin from His presence forever and will exile all those that willingly practice such despicable acts. He warns us long before the destruction comes. He provides us multiple opportunities to repent and turn to Him in obedience. We must not follow the example of Judah and Jerusalem and rebel against Him like immature children. We must learn obedience, even if it means suffering in our flesh. O earth, earth, earth! Listen to this message from the Lord! He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His ways are our only hope, surrender to Him today!
Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for the mercy and grace You give to me. Thank You for Your patience and longsuffering for my benefit. What You speak comes to pass, and every nation that ever rebelled against You came to ruin. Open up the blinded eyes of America; turn our heart back toward You. But if we continue to reject You, give to us what we deserve as punishment. Work in the lives of individuals to save this nation, in Jesus name, Amen!