Cause And Promise

Focus verses: Jeremiah 16:1-21

God's judgment on the nation seems harsh and His separation of Jeremiah from all society seems even harsher. Jeremiah is not to marry, not to enter a house of mourning, not to enter a house of celebration.

And God tells Jeremiah the reasons why this disaster is coming upon the land. It is because the fathers of this generation were unfaithful to the Lord and followed after idols. But more than that, it is because this generation is even more wicked, following after the stubbornness of their own hearts.

God tells Jeremiah that He will scatter the nation to various lands, chiefly to the north (Babylon). But there will come a time when He will not be known as the God who restored Israel from Egypt, but as the God who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where He had banished them. He promises to restore them to the land He gave their forefathers.

Actions have consequences. And like any good parent, God will not stand between His children and the consequences of their own actions. Israel has separated itself from the Lord time and again. Her momentary repentances and fidelities have been many - and short lived. She always goes back to her own devices, following the dictates of the human heart without regard for God and His laws. This fickleness has brought on the diaspora.

When people ask about how a loving God can consign anyone to hell, they are missing the point. God does not consign people to hell. He lets them go their own way. People make the choice, not God.

There are only two places to live in this universe. One is in the presence of God. The other is away from God. The first is heaven; the second is hell.

If you choose to live in the presence of God, acknowledging His sovereignty over all things, you can live in a little piece of heaven on earth. He will honor your choice, and you will have the fullness of His presence in heaven for eternity.

If you choose to live without regard for God, ignoring Him at every turn, He will not push Himself on you in eternity. If you have chosen to live absent of God on this earth, He will honor your choice in eternity. You will have chosen hell over heaven.

Father, God,

Thank You for making it clear that Your judgments are just and righteous. Thank You for promising to restore the remnant. Help us to remain part of Your faithful remnant.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

God Of Wrath

Focus verses: Isaiah 65:11-16

In today's world we talk about a God of love. And God is that. He surely is love. But He is also a God of wrath.

As you read these verses, you can't help feeling sorry for those who forsake the Lord. And it seems a terribly harsh ending.

Look at it carefully, however. God gave man a free will. Man can choose whether he wants God as a part of his life or not. If he chooses to have God in his life, God will honor that. As man repents his wrongdoings, God is merciful and loving and swift to forgive. Like a doting parent, He spoils us and gives us what we want.

The people to whom God is speaking here are those who decided they wanted no part of God in their lives. And again, like a doting parent, God is letting them have their own way. He will not inflict Himself on them in life. Nor will He presume the keep them in His presence after death.

There are only two places to live in this universe. One is in the presence of God and the other is away from God. One is heaven, the other is hell. We choose. And God honors our choice because he gave man a free will.

If we choose to live in the presence of God, we can have a piece of heaven on earth. If we choose the other, well....

Father, God,

Help us to choose wisely. Keep us ever mindful of Your presence and Your will. Grant that we may be ever obedient to Your promptings and swift to obey. Deliver us from waywardness.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Who Is Like You

Focus verses: Micah 7:14-20

Despite the sins of the people. God is eager to forgive as soon as they return to Him. His anger does not burn forever. He is a merciful God.

That does not mean that we can presume upon His mercy. We cannot assume that He will forgive the unrepentant. We have seen the destruction of the wicked.

Every action carries within itself the seed of its own reward or punishment. The reward of fidelity and obedience to God is His favor. The reward of disobedience and faithlessness is separation from God.

"Who is knocking at the door of my heart?"
Pleading, "A lonely little sin."
"Slip in" we whisper.
And all of hell is in!

Disobedience and faithlessness is sin. And it doesn't matter if the sin is a big one or a little one. Sin is sin, and it's always bad.

But repentance -- a real change of heart and action -- appeal to God's mercy and forgiveness.

If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9 - paraphrased by me)

No one is like God. We have a hard time forgiving even the repentant. But God is eager to forgive at the first sign of repentance.

Father, God,

Show us Your mercy. Help us to realize the all-or-nothing-ness of obedience and faithfulness. Keep us faithful to you. And grant us the heart to forgive others as You have forgiven us.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Mildew

Focus verses: Leviticus 14:33-42

God's regulations about health are amazing! But I don't know why I should be surprised. He created us and knows all that we need, all that we might come up against, and all that might harm us.

Mildew is a creeping thing. It starts with a little bit of moisture and spreads until it can literally ruin a whole building, contaminating everyone who enters.

Sin is much like that. It can start with the smallest infraction and move until it consumes the whole of our lives.

A much wiser man than I once wrote:

"Who is that knocking at the door of my soul?"
(in a beseeching whisper) "A lonely little sin."
"Slip in" we answer in an undertone.
And all Hell is in!

Father, God,

Help us to recognize the beseeching whisper of that lonely little sin. Give us the wisdom to deny him entrance to our hearts. And grant us the strength to stand against the wiles of evil.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.