During a discussion I was having one time with a prominent Christian businessman who also happens to be a pastor, I was told that freedom is the “American Idol”. As is the case with many other Christians, it is my desire to eliminate all idols from my life. My family has stopped participating in the Christmas tree ritual because of the clear mandate in Jeremiah 10. We have removed all outside connection to the outer world through our television and only use it to watch occasional videos or movies in line with the 1st Commandment. We have removed our children from programs where our childfren are required to recite the pledge of allegiance in accordance with the 2nd Commandment. All this, and more, have we done in an effort to remove the pagan influence in our lives and to serve the one, true God. As such, I felt it necessary to carefully examine this charge that freedom is an idol.
True, many spend the majority of their waking time focused on freedom. True also, that many are spending countless hours fighting for freedom, whether that is on a battlefield somewhere or in the courthouse. True too, that many would be willing to lay down their life for the concept of freedom. Does this much devotion, time and energy qualify this concept as an idol? It certainly could!
Of course, one objection to this charge is that our founding fathers fought so vigorously for freedom, and that without their sacrifice, we never would have had freedom in the first place. While this may be true, the founding fathers could have been wrong. What if they were misguided and misled about God’s purpose and plan? Would that then make it right for us to strive for the same things they strove for? The obvious answer here is, “Of course not!”
Interestingly enough, my son is researching a geography fair report on Puerto Rico. In his studies on this beautiful island, he came across a very interesting little historical piece. When the Spaniards first landed on Puerto Rico, just as was true in many other instances, they were thought to be gods. Of course, the good ‘christian’ Spaniards did nothing to assure their new friends that this was far from the truth. Instead, they capitalized on this worship by enslaving those whose lands they were on while they proceeded to rape and pillage not just the land, but the populace.
After a period of years of serving their Spanish gods unquestioningly, one group of Puerto Ricans finally had enough and came up with an ingenious plan. While leading one of their god-like leaders through the local terrain, they risked their very lives and the lives of their families by drowning the Spanish slave master. This drowning was not done out of meanness or any desire to torture a fellow man, instead it was a daring attempt to find out if this really was a god who was immortal. You see, if this man truly were a god, then he would come back to life and all of those involved in the drowning, as well as their families most likely, would be killed as punishment for such an act. If, however, this man were not a god, then these natives understood that they would no longer need to blindly serve, but could rather fight them for their freedom.
After watching the Spaniard for three days to see if he would be resurrected, the natives headed back to their village and made the shocking announcement that these captors and masters of theirs were not gods, and were not immortal. Upon receiving this news, the natives rose up and began to fight the Spaniards in a feeble attempt to win their freedom. Had they not waited the three years or so that they did, they may have been successful, as it was they failed.
This got me to wondering, would God have placed in man such a strong desire for freedom if freedom was not something that he desired for us to have? He placed in us a desire for relationship and companionship because he desired those things for us and from us. He placed in us a need for love and respect, work, communication, and so many other things that are clearly a gift and a blessing from our Creator. Since this desire for freedom is so strong, could it also be a gift from above, or is it just some delusion that comes to us from the enemy? Naturally, the answer must come from God’s word if it is to have any merit.
The first account of God giving his people freedom is, interestingly enough, found in the book of Genesis in the 2nd chapter. God, desiring willful devotion from his creation, gave man the freedom to choose between being obedient by leaving alone the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the choice to eat and be aware of sin. If freedom were just an idol, God would not have been the one to ordain freedom and would not have offered it to his creation.
Further in scripture, we find that God’s people were captive slaves in the land of Egypt. While God’s children hated the oppression and abuse that went with such a lowly estate, they were content to remain in such a state of comfortable captivity rather than chance some new and, possibly, uncomfortable environment. This mentality coming from his own people was not acceptable to God, so he ordained Moses to rile up both his people and the captor, Pharaoh, and lead them to the promise of true freedom.
We can see that God’s people were exceptionally resistant to the idea of freedom, thus costing them 40 years of misery wandering in and through a desert and, ultimately, cost them their lives as God refused to allow that kind of poisoned thinking to live on and negatively impact the worldview of the next and future generations.
As a result of their experience in Egypt, or maybe more accurately as a reminder of God’s plan for his children’s freedom, God provides a provision for freedom in the book of Deuteronomy chapter 15. In this statute that God expounds, he gives the command that none of his people should ever serve another for longer than a period of 7 years, and that at the end of this time, the servant must be sent out with enough money and goods to make his own way. In this way, God was assuring his people that they would never have to live again in permanent bondage.
While there are many other scriptures that I may address in future essays regarding God’s desire for his children to have freedom on this earth, these suffice to illustrate that freedom, rather than being the ‘American Idol’ is rather the ‘Godly Ideal’. We can also see, as is evidenced by this pastor with whom I had this discussion and many other prominent ‘christian’ leaders in America, that God’s people have not changed much in the last 4000 years. We still prefer comfortable servitude to the discomfort associated with being free and having to accept personal responsibility for ourselves and our own actions. The latter of which I believe is the true issue at hand.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Beginning of Knowledge
I know the election has passed, and that the anointed of the “Christian Right” has gone down in defeat. And, while this may not seem timely, I feel that a study of God’s Word is always timely. Should the Christians in America have been supporting John McCain, and should they now be weeping and gnashing their teeth because he lost? Let us look to the wonderful book of Proverbs for the answer.
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I hate to make rash judegment calls, but I fear that the majority of those Christians who supported John McCain during this election are those who despise wisdom and instruction. I suspect that the number of times that this e-mail is forwarded will be strictly limited because of this very foolishness. Nevertheless, I will not be silent. I will share God’s wisdom and instruction, even with those who despise it.
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren. Proverbs 6: 16-19
A proud look. God hates a proud look. He doesn’t say it isn’t nice, we shouldn’t do it. He hates it! God hates a proud look! Now, anyone who watched John McCain in a debate with Ron Paul saw, unmistakeably, the proud look. It was also present in his RNC speech, in his debates with Barack Obama, and in his commercials. But, if you were unable to see it in any of the latter appearances, you need only get on YouTube to see it in the debates with Ron Paul. God hates it, and so should you.
A lying tongue. God hates a lying tongue as well. Does anyone believe that John McCain has been honest and forthright throughout this election, or throughout his career? Watch the YouTube video “The Real John McCain” if you believe he has. It shows many of the times when John McCain switched his story according to his audience or the times. Folks, truth never changes! Let me say that again, truth NEVER changes. If you don’t believe everything you see on YouTube, just check his voting record. You will find no consistency there. More specifically, the only consistency you will find there is with his desire to implement liberty snatching, God hating legislation on us, his subjects. If you believe John McCain is honest, why not ask his first wife what she experienced. He vowed a vow to her that he would remain faithful and true to her forever, in sickness and in health. He was held captive in Vietnam for 5 years which she remained faithful through. During that time period, she got in a horrible car accident that left her permanently crippled and disfigured. When John McCain returned home, he saw her and quickly left her for someone beautiful. God hates a lying tongue, and so should you.
Hands that shed innocent blood. God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Now, contrary to what many Christians have been taught from the pulpit, unborn babies are not the only form of innocent blood. By innocent here, God is not referring to those who have never sinned. No, he is referring to those who have not committed a crime worthy of death. Now tell me, when John McCain was dropping bombs on small villages, schools and hospitals in Vietnam, were the men, women and children killed all guilty people? How about all of the over one million Iraqis who have been killed by us since 2003, whom he supports killing? Are the 10 year old girls who are being systematically raped and beaten by our troops guilty, or is theirs innocent blood? I’m sorry for being so graphic, but this is what the people of Iraq are living with every day! And now John McCain makes songs and jokes about bombing Iran. Why? What are they guilty of? When is the last time an Iranian hurt you? Then, this all coupled with John McCain’s support of torture… of all people… God hates the shedding of innocent blood, and so should you.
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. God hates this as well. It is difficult to determine what is in a man’s heart, but sometimes his behavior tells on him. This is the case with John McCain. He is willing to marry one woman while still married to his first. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations whose goal it is to form a New World Order and devise wars, trans-national unions, etc. John McCain has also voted to remove or restrict our 2nd amendment rights EVERY TIME he has had the opportunity to do so in 26 years! God hates a heart that devises wicked imaginations, and so should you.
Feet that be swift in running to mischief. God hates these type of feet, he thinks they stink! Rolling Stone recently published a very thorough report of John McCain’s military service. Google it or e-mail me for the link. It is a very informative article, one that demonstrates John McCain’s swiftness towards mischief. If that isn’t enough to convince you, after all, Rolling Stone is a liberal rag, then think about this: two weeks into captivity (by John McCain’s own testimony) the North Vietnamese learned who John McCain’s father was. Two weeks, all by being told name, rank and serial number and nothing else. Yeah right!!! And, those first few weeks he was not even subjected to any torture as he was in a hospital recovering from his wounds. I’m not sure, but I believe having a new wife picked out before you have even divorced (unbiblically) your first wife might qualify for this category as well. Then, what about his plans to “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” even when they have never aggressed against us? God hates feet that be swift in running to mischief, and so should you.
A false witness that speaks lies. God hates a false witness who speaks lies. This isn’t talking about just a lying tongue, but rather about lying about others, a false witness. John McCain made 30+ recorded video tapes for his North Vietnamese captors regarding his own servicemen and his own country. Through his authority as a senator, with the help of his father who was then admiral of the navy, John McCain has been able to get these videotapes sealed and hidden from the public. But as scripture teaches, there is nothing hidden. While we may not be able to see these videos to know exactly what has been said and implicated on them, we do know of their existence and approximately what they contain because of the reports of those who made them, and those who transcribed them. And I submit to you, their character is no more impeachable than is John McCain’s. John McCain also followed up with lies about his fellow POW’s in senate hearings as he worked to block their release and leave them to die in some Vietnamese prison. God hates a false witness that speaks lies, and so should you.
He that soweth discord among brethren. This is the one thing on the list that God does not hate, but considers an abomination. This is also the only thing on the list that I can not attribute directly to John McCain without having ever attended church with him or spent time with the man. Unless you consider the discord which is sown by those who claim that he is a good, God-fearing man whom the rest of us ought to elect, but I will not attribute the fault of that to John McCain, but rather to those who despise wisdom and instruction.
So, for those fools out there who claim the name of Christ, I urge you to heed the wisdom and instruction of God’s word. For those of you who claim the name of Christ and already have your eyes open to see and your ears open to hear, I request that you help to spread this message and help wake up some of the others.
Remember, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Begin to fear him, and you will begin to acquire knowledge. Do not despise the wisdom and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I hate to make rash judegment calls, but I fear that the majority of those Christians who supported John McCain during this election are those who despise wisdom and instruction. I suspect that the number of times that this e-mail is forwarded will be strictly limited because of this very foolishness. Nevertheless, I will not be silent. I will share God’s wisdom and instruction, even with those who despise it.
These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren. Proverbs 6: 16-19
A proud look. God hates a proud look. He doesn’t say it isn’t nice, we shouldn’t do it. He hates it! God hates a proud look! Now, anyone who watched John McCain in a debate with Ron Paul saw, unmistakeably, the proud look. It was also present in his RNC speech, in his debates with Barack Obama, and in his commercials. But, if you were unable to see it in any of the latter appearances, you need only get on YouTube to see it in the debates with Ron Paul. God hates it, and so should you.
A lying tongue. God hates a lying tongue as well. Does anyone believe that John McCain has been honest and forthright throughout this election, or throughout his career? Watch the YouTube video “The Real John McCain” if you believe he has. It shows many of the times when John McCain switched his story according to his audience or the times. Folks, truth never changes! Let me say that again, truth NEVER changes. If you don’t believe everything you see on YouTube, just check his voting record. You will find no consistency there. More specifically, the only consistency you will find there is with his desire to implement liberty snatching, God hating legislation on us, his subjects. If you believe John McCain is honest, why not ask his first wife what she experienced. He vowed a vow to her that he would remain faithful and true to her forever, in sickness and in health. He was held captive in Vietnam for 5 years which she remained faithful through. During that time period, she got in a horrible car accident that left her permanently crippled and disfigured. When John McCain returned home, he saw her and quickly left her for someone beautiful. God hates a lying tongue, and so should you.
Hands that shed innocent blood. God hates hands that shed innocent blood. Now, contrary to what many Christians have been taught from the pulpit, unborn babies are not the only form of innocent blood. By innocent here, God is not referring to those who have never sinned. No, he is referring to those who have not committed a crime worthy of death. Now tell me, when John McCain was dropping bombs on small villages, schools and hospitals in Vietnam, were the men, women and children killed all guilty people? How about all of the over one million Iraqis who have been killed by us since 2003, whom he supports killing? Are the 10 year old girls who are being systematically raped and beaten by our troops guilty, or is theirs innocent blood? I’m sorry for being so graphic, but this is what the people of Iraq are living with every day! And now John McCain makes songs and jokes about bombing Iran. Why? What are they guilty of? When is the last time an Iranian hurt you? Then, this all coupled with John McCain’s support of torture… of all people… God hates the shedding of innocent blood, and so should you.
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. God hates this as well. It is difficult to determine what is in a man’s heart, but sometimes his behavior tells on him. This is the case with John McCain. He is willing to marry one woman while still married to his first. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations whose goal it is to form a New World Order and devise wars, trans-national unions, etc. John McCain has also voted to remove or restrict our 2nd amendment rights EVERY TIME he has had the opportunity to do so in 26 years! God hates a heart that devises wicked imaginations, and so should you.
Feet that be swift in running to mischief. God hates these type of feet, he thinks they stink! Rolling Stone recently published a very thorough report of John McCain’s military service. Google it or e-mail me for the link. It is a very informative article, one that demonstrates John McCain’s swiftness towards mischief. If that isn’t enough to convince you, after all, Rolling Stone is a liberal rag, then think about this: two weeks into captivity (by John McCain’s own testimony) the North Vietnamese learned who John McCain’s father was. Two weeks, all by being told name, rank and serial number and nothing else. Yeah right!!! And, those first few weeks he was not even subjected to any torture as he was in a hospital recovering from his wounds. I’m not sure, but I believe having a new wife picked out before you have even divorced (unbiblically) your first wife might qualify for this category as well. Then, what about his plans to “Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” even when they have never aggressed against us? God hates feet that be swift in running to mischief, and so should you.
A false witness that speaks lies. God hates a false witness who speaks lies. This isn’t talking about just a lying tongue, but rather about lying about others, a false witness. John McCain made 30+ recorded video tapes for his North Vietnamese captors regarding his own servicemen and his own country. Through his authority as a senator, with the help of his father who was then admiral of the navy, John McCain has been able to get these videotapes sealed and hidden from the public. But as scripture teaches, there is nothing hidden. While we may not be able to see these videos to know exactly what has been said and implicated on them, we do know of their existence and approximately what they contain because of the reports of those who made them, and those who transcribed them. And I submit to you, their character is no more impeachable than is John McCain’s. John McCain also followed up with lies about his fellow POW’s in senate hearings as he worked to block their release and leave them to die in some Vietnamese prison. God hates a false witness that speaks lies, and so should you.
He that soweth discord among brethren. This is the one thing on the list that God does not hate, but considers an abomination. This is also the only thing on the list that I can not attribute directly to John McCain without having ever attended church with him or spent time with the man. Unless you consider the discord which is sown by those who claim that he is a good, God-fearing man whom the rest of us ought to elect, but I will not attribute the fault of that to John McCain, but rather to those who despise wisdom and instruction.
So, for those fools out there who claim the name of Christ, I urge you to heed the wisdom and instruction of God’s word. For those of you who claim the name of Christ and already have your eyes open to see and your ears open to hear, I request that you help to spread this message and help wake up some of the others.
Remember, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Begin to fear him, and you will begin to acquire knowledge. Do not despise the wisdom and instruction of the Lord.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Fear Obama? Fear God!
I have received untold numbers of e-mails, as well as having had numerous conversations with people who have told me that they are voting for John McCain because Barack Obama is so evil, socialistic, (insert your favorite epithet here). It has also been asserted by many that a vote for anyone other than McCain, or a non-vote is a vote for Obama. While there is certainly some very limited, VERY LIMITED merit in that line of thinking, let’s look at what kind of thinking is involved in that kind of thinking.
While I am aware that not all who will be reading this are Bible believers, I am planning to answer this from the lens of scripture as it seems that the vast majority of those with whom I am having this conversation claim to be Christian. While I believe there is a plethora of scripture refuting this line of thought, my first examination will be of a passage of scripture which many people, especially Christians, are familiar with.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.
Now I know that we all have heard this verse at least once, and we all love this verse. But have you ever really thought about this verse and what it really means? Well, I’m going to break it down piece by piece so that we can all see the fullness of this beautiful and blessed text.
“If…” An if, then statement always indicates a contractual agreement, a covenant. Pay close attention, because this is obviously a covenant between God, who is speaking, and someone else. You may be the someone, so you had better be paying close attention.
“…my people, who are called by my name…” This is the other party to the covenant. God’s people- who are called by His name. Could this possibly have current relevance to CHRISTians? Those who are the called and the chosen of God who are called by His name?
“…will humble themselves…” Does anyone today know what humility is? It is the opposite of pride. And what is pride? Pride is the original sin. The original sin of Lucifer, the original sin of Adam, the original sin of thinking that we are God, or at least as good as God. When we say that Obama will win, are we not saying that we can see and know the future? Then, when we say that we must vote for McCain, are we not saying that the future is in our control? So now, are we not attributing to ourselves the power to see and to control the future? And aren’t those attributes that God alone has? So, ask yourself, who is God? God, or you? If we are to humble ourselves, does this not mean that we should get rid of such flawed thinking, allow God to work, maybe to perform miracles, and repent of the sin of the pride of thinking that we know and control everything that is happening in the political realm?
“…and pray…” What does it mean to pray? Sure, we all have been taught that prayer is talking to God. But, really, do you think that this is all that is involved in prayer? Doesn’t relationship always involve both talking and listening? What does God’s Word have to say on the subject? What is His Spirit communicating with your spirit? I can assure you that choosing the lesser of two evils is not what He is communicating to you. Doesn’t scripture say, “Choose good, not evil that you may live!” (This may not be an exact quote, but is found in the book of Amos.) Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
"...and seek my face..." If we are seeking God's face, will we be that focused on McCain's or Obama's? In fact, is there anything at all in either one of these men that would point one to Christ? Other than the fact that they are bipedal humanoids created by God, I have not been able to see even one thing in either one of them that would make me think of my Lord.
“…and turn from their wicked ways…” Is there anyone who believes that this does not and cannot be referring directly to the pride that we are being told in the beginning to humble ourselves of? To turn from our wicked ways would require repentance from our sin of thinking that we know all of the answers and that God is incapable of providing for our best interests. Doesn’t our Savior, in Matthew, tell us that God cares more for us than the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. And yet, does he allow them to be ruled by despots? Being ruled by tyrants has always been God’s way of judging His people for pride, disobedience, and unfaithfulness. If we repent now and turn from our wicked ways at this point in time, might God just remove from us this judgment? Well, let’s continue reading to see what the rest of the covenant contains.
“…then will I hear from heaven…” Does God suggest here that He will not hear our prayers as long as we are not humble, repentant, and prayerful? It sure sounds like it to me. But, in accordance with contractual law, He promises to begin listening to our prayers and to restore relationship with us as soon as we repent, humble ourselves, and pray. And unlike you or I, God never violates a covenant.
“…and will forgive their sins…” Forgiveness only comes after humility and repentance. This is a central theme of scripture. If we repent, then God will forgive. There are terms. Salvation is a free gift that cannot be achieved through works, but we still do have some minimal requirements. Be humble, pray, turn from your wicked ways. Failing these things, God will not listen to us, will not forgive our sins.
“…and will heal their land.” Besides the judgment of tyranny upon God’s people who are unrepentant and proud, other judgments which are common themes throughout scripture include: drought, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, plague, etc. Does anyone other than me notice that there is a high level of these scourges occurring across the nation today? Not only has there been a lot of drought and other ‘acts of God’ occurring, but we are, as are many other nations, facing famine because of over-exportation of food supplies, the government paying people not to farm, and the devaluation of our fiat money so that a loaf of bread that a few years ago cost one dollar now costs upwards of four dollars and climbing.
So, my Christian friend, I pray that you would study on this, dwell on this, and act on this before you go to the polls to vote. Remember that God performed miracles throughout the Old Testament, and continued this throughout the New Testament. God can do the same even today, but will not do so if we do not want or allow him to do so. Don’t get me wrong, God is not limited by us, but is willing to allow himself to be limited when giving us what we think we want as a way of getting our attention. Are you paying attention yet?
While I am aware that not all who will be reading this are Bible believers, I am planning to answer this from the lens of scripture as it seems that the vast majority of those with whom I am having this conversation claim to be Christian. While I believe there is a plethora of scripture refuting this line of thought, my first examination will be of a passage of scripture which many people, especially Christians, are familiar with.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.
Now I know that we all have heard this verse at least once, and we all love this verse. But have you ever really thought about this verse and what it really means? Well, I’m going to break it down piece by piece so that we can all see the fullness of this beautiful and blessed text.
“If…” An if, then statement always indicates a contractual agreement, a covenant. Pay close attention, because this is obviously a covenant between God, who is speaking, and someone else. You may be the someone, so you had better be paying close attention.
“…my people, who are called by my name…” This is the other party to the covenant. God’s people- who are called by His name. Could this possibly have current relevance to CHRISTians? Those who are the called and the chosen of God who are called by His name?
“…will humble themselves…” Does anyone today know what humility is? It is the opposite of pride. And what is pride? Pride is the original sin. The original sin of Lucifer, the original sin of Adam, the original sin of thinking that we are God, or at least as good as God. When we say that Obama will win, are we not saying that we can see and know the future? Then, when we say that we must vote for McCain, are we not saying that the future is in our control? So now, are we not attributing to ourselves the power to see and to control the future? And aren’t those attributes that God alone has? So, ask yourself, who is God? God, or you? If we are to humble ourselves, does this not mean that we should get rid of such flawed thinking, allow God to work, maybe to perform miracles, and repent of the sin of the pride of thinking that we know and control everything that is happening in the political realm?
“…and pray…” What does it mean to pray? Sure, we all have been taught that prayer is talking to God. But, really, do you think that this is all that is involved in prayer? Doesn’t relationship always involve both talking and listening? What does God’s Word have to say on the subject? What is His Spirit communicating with your spirit? I can assure you that choosing the lesser of two evils is not what He is communicating to you. Doesn’t scripture say, “Choose good, not evil that you may live!” (This may not be an exact quote, but is found in the book of Amos.) Choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
"...and seek my face..." If we are seeking God's face, will we be that focused on McCain's or Obama's? In fact, is there anything at all in either one of these men that would point one to Christ? Other than the fact that they are bipedal humanoids created by God, I have not been able to see even one thing in either one of them that would make me think of my Lord.
“…and turn from their wicked ways…” Is there anyone who believes that this does not and cannot be referring directly to the pride that we are being told in the beginning to humble ourselves of? To turn from our wicked ways would require repentance from our sin of thinking that we know all of the answers and that God is incapable of providing for our best interests. Doesn’t our Savior, in Matthew, tell us that God cares more for us than the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. And yet, does he allow them to be ruled by despots? Being ruled by tyrants has always been God’s way of judging His people for pride, disobedience, and unfaithfulness. If we repent now and turn from our wicked ways at this point in time, might God just remove from us this judgment? Well, let’s continue reading to see what the rest of the covenant contains.
“…then will I hear from heaven…” Does God suggest here that He will not hear our prayers as long as we are not humble, repentant, and prayerful? It sure sounds like it to me. But, in accordance with contractual law, He promises to begin listening to our prayers and to restore relationship with us as soon as we repent, humble ourselves, and pray. And unlike you or I, God never violates a covenant.
“…and will forgive their sins…” Forgiveness only comes after humility and repentance. This is a central theme of scripture. If we repent, then God will forgive. There are terms. Salvation is a free gift that cannot be achieved through works, but we still do have some minimal requirements. Be humble, pray, turn from your wicked ways. Failing these things, God will not listen to us, will not forgive our sins.
“…and will heal their land.” Besides the judgment of tyranny upon God’s people who are unrepentant and proud, other judgments which are common themes throughout scripture include: drought, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, plague, etc. Does anyone other than me notice that there is a high level of these scourges occurring across the nation today? Not only has there been a lot of drought and other ‘acts of God’ occurring, but we are, as are many other nations, facing famine because of over-exportation of food supplies, the government paying people not to farm, and the devaluation of our fiat money so that a loaf of bread that a few years ago cost one dollar now costs upwards of four dollars and climbing.
So, my Christian friend, I pray that you would study on this, dwell on this, and act on this before you go to the polls to vote. Remember that God performed miracles throughout the Old Testament, and continued this throughout the New Testament. God can do the same even today, but will not do so if we do not want or allow him to do so. Don’t get me wrong, God is not limited by us, but is willing to allow himself to be limited when giving us what we think we want as a way of getting our attention. Are you paying attention yet?
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