“Then” moments.
I underlined that phrase, or one almost identical to it, nine times in my reading this morning. Each time it followed a list of horrific consequences for sin. Punishment for choices made as the people wandered down paths, abandoning God.
Unable to see their own godlessness, the Lord needed to get their attention. Repeated disobedience had toughened their skin making them callus to the gentle nudge of His Spirit inviting them to repent and return. Forgiveness was not appreciated. It was taken for granted. God’s grace was expected and so sin continued to abound. Pride and arrogance were a double blindfold over their mind, keeping them from understanding the error of their ways. There was no reverent fear of the Lord. They were serving the almighty. Self almighty.
Someone so dear to me is walking destruction’s path. Convinced completely that God is guiding them to act in ways so contrary to His Word, they have fooled themselves into believing their relationship with God is tight and close. They are crediting God for opening doors that He would never open. In fact, He’d place a huge barricade before them, warning that choosing these paths were sin. They are living a life in total abandonment of God and His Word and pursing dishonest gain, lust, adultery, materialism, manipulation, blackmail and lies, all the while claiming God is directing them. It frightens me.
Look at the ways the Lord got the peoples attention in this passage today. Children killed. Loneliness. Abandonment. Loss of livelihood. Judgment. Destruction. Removal of strength and power. War. Famine. Disease. It scares me to think how the Lord will get a hold of this person’s heart, and bring them back so they again will recognize that He is LORD. At the same time, it scares me even more that satan has them so bound that they will continue to turn a deaf ear to God’s warnings.
I would love to pray that God would bring a quiet “then” moment into their life. A gentle awakening to the depth of His love and the power of the cross. A sudden awareness and awakening that what they call “happiness” God calls sin. Yet, there are consequences for blatantly defying the Lord. Father, break this dear one. Move in their life in such a way that they will know that You are the LORD.
2 comments:
This is a great post, thank you for putting God's "Then" statements in a whole new perspective to me. I never thought of it like this. I am reading the Bible completely through for the first time in my life and so much reveals to me time and time again. God does have to get our attention and how. God bless you...
Joy,
Today, Jeremiah 32:37-41
37 I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
As you wrote, God looks throughout the world for someone to stand in the gap and He found you. Praying for your loved one is the best thing to do! You are the tree planted by water with your roots deep and your braches high. You provide the shade for your loved one. The prayer of a righteous (woman) is powerful and effective! (James 5:16). Never give up.
Lots of love,
Karen, Basel
Post a Comment