Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Two Familiar Scenes

There are two interesting stories regarding the Children of Israel in the Book of Exodus and the Book of Isaiah. The first, in Exodus 20:18,19 is when the all of the people saw the thunderings, the lightenings, the noise of the trumpet and the mountain smoking. They saw it, and removed themselves afar off.


They told Moses, "you speak with us, and we will hear you...but do not let God speak to us or we will die..."


Hundreds of years later, possibly 600, we see Israel crying out to God, "Oh that Thou wouldest rend (tear) the heavens and come down; that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence, as when the melting fire burneth and causes waters to boil."


Why the change of heart? Consider; Israel had been defeated in battle, she suffered famines, corrupt kings, ceaseless wars, drought and a corrupt priesthood for years.

Her dire condition caused her to cry out to God for deliverance.


We can apply this to our day. It has taken an almost total economic collapse, two active wars, unemployment that is rising and families unable to feed their families and keep their homes to start crying out to God for deliverance.


As in Israel, the mercies of God are renewed daily; in judgment He always is merciful if one cries out to Him for forgiveness and salvation with a broken and contrite heart.
He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked; every human being has an eternal spirit that was given by the Heavenly Father and only He knows the full extent of the horror of an eternity cast our of His presence.


Should things continue to deteriorate, and according to scriptural writings they will if this is the end of the age, untold millions are being weighed in the balance of eternity.


We must be waiting with hearts of forgiveness, mercy and compassion; the same heart that God has for us before we became His children.


Do not become to involved in the affairs, politics, and issues of governments and men. We are instructed to not get entangled in these affairs. Ours is a heavenly kingdom; we, like Father Abraham seek a city not made with hands, a heavenly Jerusalem.


Like Israel in the days of the Exodus, I have greatly feared the presence of God. In His love and mercy He sent crisis, personal wars, financial issues, job and relationship problems until, like Israel in Isaiah 64, I cried out with all of my heart "O THAT THOU WOULDEST REND THE HEAVENS AND COME DOWN!


And according to His great mercies, He did.

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