We often comment on licentious San Francisco and wonder how long before the next earthquake strikes.
We always think that we can sin and get away with it. Like the child covering his eyes in a game of peek-a-boo and believing that no one can see him, we so often have this crazy notion that our sins go unnoticed by God. He can’t turn a blind eye to sin. He is ever holy, just and righteous. Sin has to be dealt with, one way or another. We can either have our sins completely forgiven and forgotten through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, or we can ignore our sins, harden our hearts and sear our consciences to the point that God must step in.
2 Kings chapter 24 is one chapter I always dread reading.
And he (Nebuchadnezzar) carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. (2 Kings 24:14)
God is astonishingly longsuffering. He is incredibly patient. He is immensely merciful, but judgment for sin is inevitable. Israel had opportunity, after opportunity, after opportunity, to repent of their heathen-following ways. God sent prophets to proclaim the truths of righteousness, but in the end, their wicked hearts won out. They thumbed their noses at God, enjoyed their idolatry and adultery, and were eventually dealt righteous judgment by a holy God.
(Is God finished with Israel? Certainly not. Daniel’s 70th week is yet to come. His dealings with His chosen people are far from over, but at this moment, the nation of Israel is blinded in unbelief. The greatest days of Israel are yet to come.)
Reader, sin is what caused Jesus to suffer on Calvary. Sin separates the Christian from blessing, and the unbeliever from God Himself. God must judge sin. We often comment on licentious San Francisco and wonder how long before the next earthquake strikes. It’s only a matter of time. The foul stench of Sodom-and-Gomorrah-like wickedness must be nauseous to God. Sydney is also in the firing line, be it earthquake or some other form of judgment. (How God restrains Himself from raining fire and brimstone upon the Mardi-Gras is beyond my comprehension.) Australia is a wicked nation that has forgotten God. Judgment will fall, sooner or later. I pray that there is enough “salt” to preserve our nation for a time yet.
As believers, we must “keep short accounts with God.” We have to contend with the flesh, this monstrous propensity towards sin. Only by complete reliance on the Holy Spirit can we live a victorious life. Thankfully, when we sin, there is forgiveness on tap. God’s mercies are just plain wonderful!
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Unbeliever, no matter how low you have sunk in sin, there is a Saviour who loves you. You can personally have the amazing experience of the new birth if you will come, acknowledging your desperate plight as a Hell-deserving sinner, and place your faith in Jesus Christ.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
FRESH BREAD DAILY 