Is It Too Late To Return??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #382

I have to be honest with you, I’ve been trying to get this writing done since Wednesday, but it’s been a busy time with several unexpected interruptions, but here I am with a burden on my heart that we must seek God’s face and forsake the way that we are going.  We are not above God’s just and true ways, and I am praying that we will see the truth of scripture, and the error of our ways, and turn back to God.

“Woe unto them

that draw iniquity

with cords of vanity,

and sin

as it were with a cart rope:

19 That say, Let him make speed,

and hasten his work,

that we may see it:

and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel

draw nigh and come,

that we may know it!

20 Woe unto them

that call evil good,

and good evil;

that put darkness

for light,

and light

for darkness;

that put bitter

for sweet,

and sweet

for bitter!

21 Woe unto them

that are wise

in their own eyes,

and prudent

in their own sight!

22 Woe unto them

that are mighty

to drink wine,

and men of strength

to mingle strong drink:

23 Which justify the wicked

for reward,

and take away the righteousness

of the righteous from him!

24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble,

and the flame consumeth the chaff,

so their root shall be as rottenness,

and their blossom shall go up as dust:

because they have cast away

the law of the LORD of hosts,

and despised

the word of the Holy One of Israel.”  Isaiah 5:18-24

The world we live in has turned against God, who like Isaiah says above in verse 19, they wanted God to convince them with miraculous signs that HE was worthy of their regard.  Jesus dealt with the religious leaders of His day with a most significant reply to their request for a sign that He was from God.  I hope that we will hear and heed the Words of Jesus Christ my Lord!  Jesus told them that the only sign that they would receive was His death burial and resurrection for sin—your sin and mine!  What sign are you looking for.  Which way are you going?   God’s way or your own?

May we hear and heed God’s answer to Solomon at the dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem and come to Jesus in humility, recognition of our sin, and a willingness to obey. Or is it too late for us to turn around?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test coming!  Hear with your heart as well as your ears!

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night,

and said unto him,

I have heard thy prayer,

and have chosen this place to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven

that there be no rain,

or if I command the locusts

to devour the land,

or if I send pestilence

among my people;

14 If

my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then

will I hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.”  

Chronicles 7:12-14

God was telling Solomon that He, as His righteous character demands, would discipline His people when they sinned and rebelled, but there was hope hinged on their response to HIM!  We hear a lot about this promise of God to respond, but we often hear the emphasis on what God will do, not what HE is calling us to do.  First there is a great big IF for God’s own—the born again (in the context, those faithful servants in Israel, whom God also called with this big IF)—and we are called to some clear and concise instructions.  Let’s rehearse them:

Humble ourselves—bow before HIM–

Pray ourselves—beseech HIM on our knees–

Seek God’s face—look to GOD not man–

Turn from our wicked ways—repent, return to faithful service to our King, not the world, knowing that Jesus died to give to all who will believe eternal life.

Let’s hear what Jesus says about seeking signs for assurance!  Seek God’s Word for answers and wisdom.

“But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,

Master, we would see a sign from thee.

39 But he answered and said unto them,

An evil and adulterous generation

seeketh after a sign;

and there shall no sign be given to it,

but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights

in the whale’s belly;

so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights

in the heart of the earth.”   Matthew 12:36-40

Jesus came to die for our sin, and the greatest sign from God ever to be given, was Jesus’ resurrection; but what will you do with it!  Will you receive the Gospel that Paul was unashamed of?

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve…”  1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Amen and Amen!!!