I am reading through the Bible again this year…and I am currently in Ezekiel. However, there are themes that are all over the Major Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel & Daniel) that are simply undeniable.
#1 - The Judgment Of God Is Real
God isn’t playing games…Galatians 6:7 is proved by how Israel turned its back on God, believing there would be zero consequences…and then how God pretty much lowered the boom on them…NOT because He’s mean…but because they refused to repent of sin.
That same judgment and wrath is still a part of the nature of God—which is evidence of His holiness and perfection. AND…that same judgment and wrath will fall one day on those who refuse to repent of their sin and confess Jesus as Lord.
THAT BOTHERS ME…and I pray it bothers you. The biggest need we have in the world is not lower gas prices…and our greatest tragedy is not that Starbucks is closing 600 stores…the world needs Jesus…and it is OUR JOB as HIS CHURCH to do all that we can to take HIM to the world.
#2 - The Mercy of God Is AMAZING
As I’ve been reading these prophets over and over it keeps hitting me, “God sent these guys to warn these people to stop sinning so that He would not have to bring judgment.” The very fact that God would convict me of sin and warn me to stop what I am doing is evidence of His incredible mercy.
AND…the fact that when people repented of sin in Scripture, no matter how vile the sin might have been—He forgave them.
The church should be obsessed with this message because…well…quite frankly most of the world believes that we hate them and want them to go to hell. (They believe this because many Christians act this way!)
Yes, we are called to take a stand against sin…and yes, we are called to call for repentance; however, if this isn’t done without a presentation of the mercy of God then people conform to mere robots who fear at any minute God may revoke their free gift of salvation if they don’t act and behave properly.
#3 - God Is In Control
That is an AWESOME Christian phrase; however, too few of us believe it—as is evidenced by the number of Christian leaders who are freaking out over the upcoming election because they fear the Republicans might lose. (How excited God must feel that they’ve put their hopes in politics.)
God reigns…no matter what nation happens to be dominating the globe. God reigns…no matter who happens to be elected. God reigns!!!
Take a look in the Old Testament…after the fall of the Kingdom of Judah (which Scripture CLEARLY indicates that God used Nebuchadnezzar to bring about) He then used another pagan king to rebuild the temple and yet another to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem as told in Nehemiah.
God ISN’T worried about the upcoming election—at all. (Daniel 4:17) He reigns!
(By the way…this does not excuse the Christian from voting. I believe every Christian should seek God, ask Him who to vote for—VOTE…and then trust Him.)
#4 - God’s Word Is True
If God said it was going to happen—it happened. There’s no getting around it…God’s Word is true—it was back then and it is today. (This is why I am so excited about Matthew 16:18 right now—Jesus said it would happen…and it is happening right now at a rate that I’ve never seen!!!)
Those are just some thoughts I had this morning that I wanted to share. I hope everyone has an incredible fourth of July! :-)