Verse of the day: Judges 2:18, And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…” When we read about how God dealt with Israel, and we step back to consider how He deals with us, how can we not proclaim that His grace is amazing? In spite of their continued rebellion, God was “moved to compassion by their groaning”. This reminds me of Matthew 9:36, where we read this about Jesus, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” God’s compassion for His people moves Him to action on our behalf. How overwhelmingly amazing is that? God has compassion and is moved by a sinful, stubborn, and rebellious people, when we suffer and cry out to Him. God’s desire for us is not that we suffer without hope, but that we bring our cares to Him, and find peace in Him, so that we can endure whatever difficulties we face here on earth (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7). What is most interesting in this is that in spite of idolatry, sinful living, and outright rebellion of these people, God was able to raise up judges in their midst. He used men and women whom He would raise up above the rest, to lead them and deliver them. Not only would He raise them up, but more importantly, “the Lord was with the judge”. When Jesus came, He saw that people were lost “like sheep having no shepherd”. What did He do? He gave His life, offers us eternal life, and raises up men and women to carry His message to a world filled with people who are suffering in ways that we cannot imagine, and who are on the path to eternal condemnation. Are we those people He wants to raise up in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation? The Apostle Paul wrote this in Philippians 2:15, “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world”. We are supposed to be His light-bearers. We are supposed to be those who, like the judges God raised up in Israel’s midst, stand up and distinguish ourselves from the rest, by living a life that honors the Lord. Do we want to be the ones that God uses to proclaim His Holy Name, so that the lost will find eternal life, joy and unsurpassable peace? Do we truly have a desire to be used as that messenger, that minister, that faithful servant who starts a revival in the hearts of those around us? The bottom line is that regardless of how bad society gets, how corrupt and perverse this generation, God is still able to raise us up to be shining lights in this dark world. The problem is not that God cannot. The problem is that we will not. Let us separate ourselves from the lifestyles and practices of this world, so that God can use us in a mighty way that will bring Him glory. God is still in the business of raising up Christians to accomplish great things for the Kingdom. Will we be one of them?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
No comments:
Post a Comment