The
very last king of Judah (other than the Eternal King, that is) didn’t learn any
lessons from the failures of those who had gone before him. In fact the
Scripture says of him, “He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against
turning to the Lord, the God of Israel” (36:13).
But
the Scripture also reminds us shortly after this that God was very patient with
his people, “The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by
his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling
place” (36:15). How did they respond? “But they kept mocking the messengers of
God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the
Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy” (36:16).
This
is cause for humility for me today. Why? Because I know how patient God is with
me. I know my heart and how like the old hymn says I am: “Prone to wander,
Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love.” But God is patient and loves
me with an everlasting love. Oh, Lord, I need your soul-keeping grace and your
sin-forgiving mercy every moment of every day.
Prayer:
Father, you alone can keep me through faith for the salvation that will be
revealed to me in the last time. As you are keeping me for then, Lord, I pray
that you would keep me now…close to you…seeking your heart…constantly
surrendering my will and my way to your will and your way. Help me, Lord, be
merciful to me a sinner.
No comments:
Post a Comment