"But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell." Numbers 33:55 

I wonder if the Apostle Paul had this verse in mind when he wrote:

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." II Corinthians 12:7

 Before the Israelites passed into the Promised Land God gave them a number of instructions, to which they agreed to abide. God warned them of what would happen if they didn't.

The Israelites crossed the Jordan  River into a new life. There would be worldly things and people they would need to get rid of in order to have "Promised Land Living." God promised to prosper them in this new land flowing with milk and honey, but first they had a job to do. They'd need to prove their faith by obeying God. They'd have to endure warfare before peace would come. They'd have to make sacrifices before they partook of the bounty.

The Bible overflows with wisdom. You want to live well with your spouse? The Bible tells you how. You want to have a successful career? The Bible teaches you what kind of a work ethic you need. You want to have good friends and peace with your fellow man? The Bible instructs you on how to build quality relationships. The precepts and principles taught in Scripture on how to live can be used by anyone - Christian or not. In fact, many principles taught in the best business management and personnel management texts mimic what is said in Scripture.

The problem is, we tend to follow our hearts, which almost always leads us down roads that end in disaster. 

A couple of things happened after some success in the Promised Land. Israel forgot to inquire of God before making an allegiance with a people group and that led to heartache. Then later, they began to see the enemy rather than God's leading and became fearful. Their fear meant they were no longer trusting God, and it prevented them from expanding their borders to the extent that God promised them.

In the end, the old inhabitants remained and caused them trouble.

"I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died: That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not." Judges 2:21-22

When we call upon the name of the Lord to be saved (when we ask Jesus into our hearts), if we have truly humbled ourselves before Him, over time we will be convicted of things in our lives. Our love for God will grow as we grow in our knowledge of Him. As we grow in love our desire to please Him will grow, and that will lead us to desire to eliminate, or drive out, those things that do not please Him.

I wonder, when Paul penned those verses in II Corinthians 12, if he was thinking about the Israelites inability to remove the inhabitants of the land. I wonder if he saw something in his life he couldn't have victory over, some recurring fault that shamed him whenever it took hold of his life.

"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in  weakness." II Corinthians 12:9a

The further I get along in life, the more things I find to regret. Words spoken I will never be able to take back. Actions done that I wish I had not committed. Feelings evolved that I wish I had never allowed to develop. These regrets remind me of those nations the Israelites failed to drive out of the land. Yet, God in His abundant mercy, took those nations and used them to prove Israel.

As a child of God, I am thankful for His grace. I still live in this world and in this flesh. I still do things I shouldn't do. I'm still human. And yet, God's forgiveness abounds. His grace that saved me stands and reminds me even when I've sinned that He has covered it. In my weakness, His strength is made perfect because His grace is sufficient. Thank you, Dear Lord.

Taking God's Name in Vain

 Exodus 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

Psalm 139:20 "For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain."

Proverbs 30:8-9 "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

What does it mean to 'take God's name in vain?'

The Hebrew word for vain is shav¹. It means useless or without purpose, and specifically in Exodus 20:7, it holds the meaning of a falsehood, or by implication falsely using or deceiving as in a false witness.

In Exodus 20, the word is used in a list of commandments that apply to our relationship with God and how we are to worship Him.

Psalm 139 talks of the Psalmist's relationship with God and when it mentions using God's name in vain, it is in referring to how God's enemies use His name.

Again, in Proverbs, we see the mention of the vain use of God's name in reference to the relationship of writer with the Almighty.

What is significant about God's name that we must be careful how we use it?

God's name represents who He is, His power, and His authority. Consider God's conversation with Moses when He told Moses to tell the people I Am sent him. Exodus 3 Prior to that God had not been referred to by that name or by the name JEHOVAH. (Exodus 6:3) 'I Am' held significance. It showed God's presence and power.

When God met Moses on the mount, He declared His name to Moses (Exodus 34:5). Imagine the all-powerful, all-mighty Creator declaring His name to a humble man. How would you feel as Moses? Would you ever again use God's name in slight?

When we pray, we call on God's name. So that begs the question, when we are using God's name as an expression, are we praying? Of course not.

My children are experts at annoying each other. I've heard them call each other's name simply to annoy, and therefore demonstrate a disrespect (of course they don't see it as disrespectful at the time). Such usage hurts and angers the victim. Should we do the same to God?

I confess, I am hyper-sensitive to the use of God's name or anything that is intended to represent God. I am offended when even a Christian, who knows the Almighty--how great He is and how little we are--uses His name in a disrespectful manner or spews it off in a trite way. At that exact moment, is that Christian using His name with the reverence due the most Superior of beings?

I've heard it argued that the Bible's meaning of taking God's name in vain is to not claim to be God's and live your own way. Okay, lets go down that road. If in anger you spew off God's name, are you living in a righteous manner? If you throw His name out as an exclamatory expression and mean not to truly be calling upon His name or engaging Him into your situation, are you demonstrating your faith in Him? I even question when a Christian spews out as a reaction to a situation "Thank God" whether they are directing their words to God . . . and if they are not, how does that demonstrate their respect and awe of the Almighty?

The literal interpretation of "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD your God in vain," is that you don't use His name uselessly. There is no other way of reading it. God says what He says and He means what He means. No matter how you look at it, if you use God's name without purpose (out of anger or a reactionary exclamation) you are not bringing honor to Him nor are you purposefully talking in a way that brings Him glory.

I stand in fear of my Lord--a healthy fear, governed by the awe I feel for the One who with a single word could extinguish my life. I stand in fear of Him because, while He has that power, He chose instead to love me and extend to me His great mercy and grace. I am indebted to Him for the salvation He gave me. How dare I treat Him or His name with even the slightest hint of disrespect.

1. http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=hebrewlexicon&isindex=7723

Whether I Live or Die, I Am Blessed

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God." II Corinthians 4:15 

I sat on the examination table determined to let my breast surgeon know she did a good job, and I'm doing well. She sat in the chair beside the table, eyes on the pathology report, trying to have a positive outlook. Not that the pathology report was a negative foretelling of the future. Just unexpected and unusual.

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

"You know," I said, "I think you did a great job of my surgery. I feel great and am doing more than what everyone was telling me I would be able to do after surgery. I was even able to help load three calves into the trailer, Saturday." I fumbled. I wasn't doing a good job of what I really wanted to say, simply: thank you. And even more so, to share Christ with her, but the door wasn't open. 

This surgeon had up to this point always presented a very "in-control" professional walk and demeanor and confidence that showed her years of experience in her field. But she faltered, unable to clearly tell me what to expect. 

When I left the exam room after getting dressed, I heard her and presumed she was talking with my oncologist as she read the pathology report to the person on the other end of the phone. I had a strange peace. Well, it really isn't strange because that peace, God's peace on me, has been present throughout my Christian life (whenever I chose to look for it). But I confess, I wasn't exactly tripping down the hall with glee.

In II Corinthians, the apostle Paul spoke extensively about suffering, and in particular, the suffering he experienced. Set aside the 'thorn in my flesh' portion, and he lists the suffering he had endured because he preached the Gospel. His response to the horrors he'd endured as an ambassador of Christ was to focus on the needs of the people he had served and had come to love. 

"And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation." II Corinthians 1:6

My mother suffered from extreme nausea and pain for several months before she died this spring. Yet, she smiled at her doctor and witnessed to her nurses (for as long as she had voice to do so), and her faith and the peace of God shone through her. It impacted those around her. She was ready to go to see her Beloved Lord and Savior, but while on earth, she did what she could for others. 

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." II Corinthians 4:8-10

We, in America, rarely if ever suffer the persecution Paul endured and did so with the joy of the Lord in his heart. I think it is coming. It will separate those who truly love the Lord and love others as He loved, from those who simply chose Christianity as an identity or merely said the sinner's prayer for 'fire insurance' to escape hell. I think each of us must now chose whether we will follow Christ to death or follow the easy path. 

Such discussion of persecution and suffering tends to turn off people. We like to not think about such things. And in truth, dwelling on the horrors that may face us is not a good use of our minds. Our focus shouldn't be on the troubles we'll face. Our focus should be on the hope we have in Christ: on the future where we'll dwell with the Lord in a perfect place. Our hope lies in the day we will be all that we were created to be: to bring God pleasure, to enjoy Him, and to fellowship with Him and live in a place of continual worship. 

Paul not only endured physical abuse from those who hated him and the message he gave, he endured words spoken against him by those that should have loved him. He endured the rejection of those he had poured his life out for them to know Christ. Yet, he had peace. His love for the church at Corinth caused him to see past the hurt to how all he had endured could be a blessing to them, an encouragement and a source of comfort.

Once, a doctor told me if you don't do such and such you may die. Actually, I've heard that several times over my life from medical professionals. They can't predict my death. My response to that particular doctor, was, "I'm not afraid to die. For me, to die is gain as I will be in Heaven with my Lord and Savior." Her response was what of those you leave behind who love you? Good point. That was Paul's reasoning for God keeping him alive, to continue to serve those he loved. His love for the churches he'd started, for the members of those churches, kept him from giving up.

"For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again." Philippians 1:23-26

While my mother was still here on earth, she blessed and shared and comforted. When she departed, God already had her family in His hand. This is a truth we'd all be wise to remember.

Suffering sometimes leads to death. But that death does not mean the end of life for those who believe. Neither does it mean those left behind are alone. God does not forget the grieving, even if at times it seems like that is so. Before He takes a loved one home to be with Him in Heaven, He prepares for the continual earthly existence of those left behind. For a time of grieving this may be difficult to remember, but nevertheless true. God will be there for you. God will supply your needs. God will take you through each moment and each day, as readily as the sun rises in the morning. You're not alone.

My run with cancer will likely not end in my death. But I do know that it is in the background of everyone's mind. The statistics demonstrate survivability, but the doctor says, "In a room of 100 people with cancer, you don't want to increase the chances of you being that one person to die by not getting appropriate treatment." To that I say, "God determines the day of my calling Home." Even so, my hope is not in this world, but in the world to come that my Lord is preparing where I will forever be with Him. Whether I die to day or thirty years from now, I am blessed.

This is the craziest of all the days of my lifetime. The world seems like it is turning upside down and inside out. People are living out their fear of the unknown in anger toward anyone who might disagree with them. People are demonstrating their hopelessness by looking to anyone who might provide hope, yet failing to look for the One Who can give them perfect hope. They have given up on the good and made evil right and right evil.

How must I live, whether my life is cut short or I live for many more years? I am to live for Christ.

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: …For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me." Philippians 1:27,29-30

 

Enlarge My Steps

 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me that my feet did not slip. Psalm 18:35 

David wrote this psalm after God delivered him from his enemies and from King Saul, who wanted to kill him. He knew his salvation came from God, and he placed his trust in the LORD God Almighty. 

Photo by Fabrizio Conti on Unsplash

David's life exemplified faith. In order for him to know that God kept his feet from falling, he had to take steps. I picture him skirting around rocky terrain, moving in and out of caves, and facing the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. Each of these positions require sure-footedness. A fall could be deadly. David recognized that his stability came from God. 

In writing, I can easily put my foot down in a mess and sink further with each word I write. Entering into a debate where maybe I lack knowledge can lead to a messy, embarrassing situation. Stating my opinion to an audience unwilling to listen can put my ability to sell on shaky ground. Letting my imagination take me down roads clouded by popular opinions, trends, etc. can cause me to stumble and jeopardize my testimony. 

I need the LORD to enlarge my steps under me so that my feet will not slip. 

LORD, please help me to stand firmly upon the foundation of my faith, that is Your salvation, mercy and grace, that I will not stumble. Keep me from making a fool of myself or bringing scorn upon Your Name. Hold me fast, so that Your Name will be glorified, lifted up above all names and all 'gods' of this world.

Witnessing: A Call to Worship the One True God

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11

This verse reveals so much of the heart of God.

• We see His love for the sinner
• We see the pain we cause Him
• We see His desire for reconciliation
• We see His holiness
• We see His righteousness
• We feel His yearning for EVERY soul

God was urging Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites. Ezekiel was to warn them of the sword coming their way, and if he failed, God would require Israel's blood at Ezekiel's hand.

Photo by Edward Cisneros on Unsplash

What had Israel done to cause God to call them wicked? They, who were created by God to worship Him, who were the chosen people to be a witness (through their worship of God) to the world of who God was--these people had turned from God to worship idols. In the worshiping of idols, they committed great moral atrocities. 

 Any worship, other than the worship of Jehovah God, manifests itself in wickedness. From the headhunter tribes who thought eating the flesh of their enemies would empower them, to the person who sees violence as a solution to their problems, to the Islamic terrorist, to the person who chooses to do good acts not for the benefit of others but for the benefit of themselves--the worship of themselves, of power, of spirits, of persons, of objects, philosophy, ideology, or worldview will ultimately result in wickedness. In fact, any worship--any form of adoration and exaltation--that puts the object of worship above God is wickedness.

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Ezekiel 33:8

I love Ezekiel 33:11, because it reveals to me a Holy God who loves every individual and desires that no one die in his iniquity. It reveals to me a righteous God who wants people to live and not suffer the consequences of wickedness. I love that God; He's my God; and it is the love of that God that makes me want to obey Him. His commandments are not grievous (I John 5:3).

I have knowledge of true salvation. I know what the wicked, what every sinner, what every person on this earth, needs to do in order to be saved. How wretched and wicked of me if I hold back what they need to know to be saved from the coming sword.

Excuses are easy to make as to why I may not share the Gospel with every person I meet, and some of them maybe legitimate. However, even if I am held back (whether by fear, distance, lack of opportunity, etc.) from telling another how he or she may be saved from sin and enter into a beautiful relationship with God, their Creator and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, I can still pray for that person and for those that may be Spirit-led to witness to them.

I can encourage those who are able to witness to people and in places where I'm not able. 

But ultimately, I must be ready in season and out of season to share my faith. It isn't a ritual. It's not an "I must lead X amount of people to the Lord in order to receive a crown." It is simply a compulsion that arises out of the deep love I have for Christ and His even deeper love for me.

My witness must come from my relationship with God, or it is nothing more than religion similar to any religion in the world. 

God loves me. God pursued me, because He desired me. He created me. And in that creation, He made a God-sized hole that only He can fill. He created me with the instinctive desire to worship Him. Sin would lead me to worship something other than Him. But by His grace and by the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, my inner, spiritual eyes are opened to see Him as the Person I must truly worship. 

The wickedness of Israel came from a broken, malfunctioning instinct to worship. The sinful nature, (present in each of us) could not override their need to worship, but it could cause them to make the object of their worship something other than Jehovah God.

God set about to woo them back. He called on Ezekiel to tell them what they needed to do to be reconciled to God. He loved them, but He, being holy, righteous, and perfect, could not accept their illegitimate worship of Him and of the gods they had come to adore.

My life must be a true witness of true worship of the One True God. Every human being craves to fill that worship hole. Some fill it with philosophy and ideology. Some fill it with a god they've created to make themselves feel good about the moral degradation in which they wish to live. Some fill it with a god that represents the anger and hatred they feel toward another and so can justify their acts as worship of their god. But my life must present the difference between their worship and the true worship of God.

I cannot do this by my own strength. My worship of God is only different from others (and the worship they have for their 'gods') if the Holy Spirit is present in my life, working to conform me to the image of Christ and to bear His fruit. 

My witness to another can only be effective if it is Christ in me that they see.

Lord, live through me to reach another. May I walk in true worship of You so that another is drawn to You because You are in me, leading me, loving me, cherishing me, filling me.

Writing and Revival

This week our church held revival meetings, so I have had less time to work. 

However part of being an effective Christian writer is having a right relationship with God. Without this relationship there is simply no basis to call yourself a Christian writer. Therefore the time spent at the meetings was worth every second. 

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

When I felt the Lord pressing me to write, I needed to pray. I needed to be sure that this was the direction the Lord would have me go. While I love to write, it does not supercede my passion for God's Word and the message of God's love. 

The greatest message I could ever share with another person glorifies God: 

the salvation from our slavery to sin through the death, burial and resurrection of of Lord Jesus Christ--That indeed we can receive eternal life and a relationship with God when we repent, recognizing our sinful nature and need for a savior, and call upon the name of the Lord. 

We are drawn to the Lord because our make-up is to worship something. My words must draw my readers to worship God. Worshiping God begins with salvation.

While not every story I write lends itself to the presentation of the Gospel, I would hope that a reader, having enjoyed one such story, would pick up another that has the clear message of the Gospel. 

I believe in the importance of discipleship, which I think can readily be done through a well written piece of fiction, but no discipleship can happen if the person doesn't first believe, therefore the greater message is the Gospel. 

To write the Gospel will bring offense:

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:9) 

"These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me." John 16:1-3. 

However, I am commanded from scripture to do just that:

"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel..." (Mark 16:15). 

Therefore, if my work is completely void of this most important message to mankind I am not obeying God and cannot glorify Him. Sermons can be preached on this, books can be written, but the bottom-line: for me to glorify God, I must surrender everything to Him, including my writing, and that means my writing will have a message. 

Once this purpose was established in my heart my work on my knees just began. Daily I must pray for my readers. Daily I must lay my work before the Lord and ask that His hand be in it. Daily I must surrender my thoughts, my mind, and my heart to the Lord so that I will work according to His perfect will. These are essential. Without praying and committing myself to the Lord I might as well lay down my pen for my work would be worthless. 

To God be all glory, honor, power and praise!

Remember Your Riches and Blessings Come from God.

"Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph." Amos 5:14-15

Photo by Burak Saygı on Unsplash

 Amos ground his teeth as he watched a priest from the Temple talk, in rather an intimate matter, with a known harlot. Not three steps further his chest constricted to watch a man sell his newborn son to the Moloch priest, after selling a lamb to another brother who planned to sacrifice it to God. Rarely did Amos venture into Jerusalem, but it was near the time of the Passover, and he could not miss that. He walked to the gate with his gaze to the ground. “Oh Lord, how long before Your judgment falls on these people?”

With slow steps, Amos moved through the streets, noting the coin thrown to the harlots and the incense burned to strange gods. Amos sensed the movement of God's Spirit on him and the overwhelming need to challenge his people to follow God’s ways. He stumbled and fell to his knees, but didn’t have the heart to rise. Instead, he bowed down and remembered the words of Joel:

“Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests; howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.” Joel 1:13

“Oh God, how I grieve for my people. How they have not listened, but wasted what You have given them," Amos prayed.

The grief in his heart pressed Amos further to the ground. Yes, there were those who worshiped at the Temple, but did they worship God in their hearts? Did they know God, the great I Am? They gave Him lip service, they did their due diligence attending the Passover, offering their sacrifices, but did they offer God their hearts? No. How could they when they so quickly turned to offer the unthinkable to other gods? How could they when the priests, those who were to teach them God’s ways, dallied with the pleasures of the ungodly? 

The memory of the babe in his neighbor’s arm squeezed his mind until tears poured down his face. To offer such, why? How could he possibly believe that Moloch, a god created by men, who themselves are powerless in light of the one True God…how could he possibly believe that Moloch would bless him for it? In truth, Moloch must only have become a god at the selfishness of men and women who did not wish to raise their little ones, who valued their own life and pleasure more than these small ones so treasured by the One True God. These infants were created by God for the purpose of worshiping Jehovah God, not to die before an idol. How could they not see this?

And what of the wealth, not wealth God blessed them with, but gotten by ways God abhors? “Oh my God, what will You do to us? What evil will come on us?”

But Amos knew. Had not Moses written it in the Law? Had not God spoken of it by the prophet Joel, and even by the mouth of Jonah? The day of the Lord was indeed near at hand.

The prophet Amos must have felt a great burden for both the people of Judah and of Israel. Later, he would prophecy against the neighbors of Israel, even those nations that had influenced in some way the people of Judah and Israel. 

Joel was told by God to have the priests mourn and call the elders and all the people to cry to the Lord, for the day of the Lord was at hand and destruction would come. Amos saw this need in his time. Can we see it in ours?

The liberals blame the conservatives, and the conservatives blame the liberals. Both are at fault. We need, each one of us, to know God. Not just in the ‘yes, I know God because I prayed the sinner’s prayer’; not just in the ‘yes, I know God because I go to church every Sunday’; Not just in the ‘yes, I know God because I regularly attend church whenever the doors are open, and I attend and serve in every opportunity the church allows me to attend and serve.” No. 

We need to know God in the manner that causes us to fall to our knees in awe of His holiness and righteousness. We need to know God in the manner that we can see His light, observe the rushing wind of His Spirit and are overwhelmed by the stillness of His presence. And not just metaphorically, but literally. We need to seek Him until we know we are in the Presence of the Almighty God, the lover of our souls, our beloved. 

And when He meets us, and fellowships with us, and fills us with His joy and peace and energy, we are able to get up and walk in His presence into a world where the manmade Molochs, and Baals, and other gods that promise wealth, prosperity, comfort, and all our needs met, who cater to our ‘poor little me’ syndromes, our selfish ambitions and our pride, prevail--to be able to walk in such a world and not be touched by it, because we are wrapped in His presence. 

And when we live like this, we’ll experience the true blessings of God’s everlasting peace and joy and contentment. We'll experience this in the midst of destruction and terrorism that threaten to overwhelm us...like Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail singing praises; like Corrie Ten Boom in the midst of the Nazi's.

The Lord delights in giving riches and comforts and pleasure to those who call on Him, to those who love Him, who are His children in Truth. But He will not stand with those who forget Him when the wealth and blessings He has given them is not used for His glory, is not used to help those in need, is not used to do His will.

Oh Lord, our nation has done this. We’ve forgotten You and all that You’ve given us. Turn our hearts to You, help us to humble ourselves and not wait for You to humble us. Enable us to see Your truth, Your Word, and repent of our evil thoughts and actions.

When His people, who have enjoyed all His goodness and riches and pleasure, turn away and forget where those good things come from, they become like the servant who has enjoyed the comforts of his master’s favor (the master that provides for his needs and comfort), and forgets he enjoys these comforts at the pleasure of his master. So the servant begins to take these riches for his own gain and misuses them in how he deals with those his master loves (like the poor). Like this servant, we, as a nation, do not wisely use the riches God has given us for His glory. And now we are seeing all sorts of evil.

But if we turn from our ways, if we mourn and lament and cry out to God, He will forgive and again bring us to a place of favor. God’s forgiveness is limitless, His mercies are new every morning, His faithfulness, and love, and graciousness we will know once more. 

Oh God, bring us to the point of knowing Your judgment, righteousness, holiness, so that we would know You at a deeper and greater level than in the  years we lived in Your goodness and riches and pleasure and acknowledge that You were the One who gave it. Forgive us for our attitude and actions that have reflected not only our falling away but also our lack of gratitude. To You be all glory and honor and praise. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

“The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God…And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD,…For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.” Joel 3:16-21