+DEV+ How Close to Judgment?

Date: November 9, 2010 9:30 PM
Topic: +DEV+ How Close to Judgment?

How Close to Judgment?

"Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them in the spacious and fertile land you gave them, they did not serve you..." (Nehemiah 9:35).
Scripture Focus: 2 Kings 17:5-20

The Northern Kingdom of Israel went into captivity about 150 years before Judah, the Southern Kingdom, met a similar fate. The reason for Israel's earlier demise? She embraced idolatry proudly under a succession of wicked kings. On the other hand, some of Judah's kings were righteous and instituted revivals in which the people destroyed their idols and returned to God. Still, in the long run, both kingdoms ignored God's blessings and His pleadings to worship Him.

Christians in Western nations often ask how much longer God will withhold the judgment we deserve. It seems our moral and spiritual failures are carrying us swiftly downhill, speeding to destruction. Idols like humanism, materialism, secularism, and hedonism push us on this perilous ride.

God alone has the right to determine the time and nature of judgment. Here and now we can pray for revival and stand resolutely for righteousness, knowing that the One who has stood in our place shouldered all the wrath of God for us.

Insight: When evil advances, Christians may help thwart it and see God draw a nation to Himself one heart at a time.