How do we Really Stand Faithful to God When Evil Surrounds Us?       

Deuteronomy 30:  God’s Promise

“Now it shall come to pass, when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and youcall them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, 2 and you return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.

This week seems like nearly every week anymore, moments of great faith and delight intermingled with dashed hopes, anxious moments of wondering what is next.  Yet, why?  I know God is in Control.  Because of that I know the final outcome.  Victory is ours in Jesus.  So, then why are there those moments of my wanting to know the play by play? How do we really stand faithful to God when evil surrounds us on every side?  We know that we are assured His promises are all amen and yes in Jesus.  There will be hard times, but He is our rock and our fortress.  Yet, each day there are new trials to overcome.  So, how can I really stand faithful to God in such trials?

There are the ever-increasing aches and pains throughout my body.  Nothing works as it did a year ago and time clicks by faster than ever.  Worse than that is the steady constant noise of evil surrounding me blaring from devices of many kinds and the steady increase of Godliness in our government, our media and at every turn.  Furthermore, there is the withdrawal of our churches from truth, seeking money, power, and numbers rather than truth or righteousness. 

As we study the scripture we know, we are not the first generation in this situation.  Many have come before us.  That is particularly true as we open once more the scriptures of yet another prophet to the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah- Micah.  Studying God’s word helps us to recognize what was written in Ecclesiastes 1:9.

9 That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun. 

Micah was One who Had to Really Stand Faithful to God

        Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, Amos, Hosea, and Jonah.  He prophesied to both the Northern Kingdom and to Judah.  His writings divided into 3 major sections.  Chapters 1-2 outlined the message that judgment would come rightfully because the people had broken the covenant laid out in Deuteronomy 28-29 There was clearly outlined the blessings if they obeyed God’s commands and the curses if they did not.  As the younger generation prepared to enter the promised land, Moses was very specific in his instructions given from God.  Remember they knew what had happened to their parents who failed to follow God’s commands.  Furthermore, they had all the rich history of Genesis, being taught what it was to really stand faithful to God and the curses if not.  Now it would be up to them. 

        Furthermore, in Deuteronomy God through Moses instructed them that ever Sabbath day was to be dedicated to studying God’s word, teaching it the children, and worshipping God.  The priests were to study continuously.  Then on each 7th year, the people were to be gathered together and the entire scripture was to be read to all.  It was the year they were to allow their land to rest while God provides. 

        God always places the greatest responsibility on those who are the leaders and those who are the priests (or preachers).  The people also are to blame if they follow the directions of the bad leaders and preachers, for each of us are accountable to God for ourselves. But, as to the leaders, Micah spoke directly to them in Micah 3:1-3. 

Micah 3 (NKJV) Evil Surrounds the Leadership

And I said:

“Hear now, O heads of Jacob,
And you rulers of the house of Israel:
Is it not for you to know justice?
2 You who hate good and love evil;
Who strip the skin from My people,
And the flesh from their bones;
3 Who also eat the flesh of My people,
Flay their skin from them,
Break their bones,
And chop them in pieces
Like meat for the pot,
Like flesh in the caldron.”

4 Then they will cry to the Lord,
But He will not hear them;
He will even hide His face from them at that time,
Because they have been evil in their deeds.

Pretty harsh similes.  But is it not what leadership does when it strips humans of their dignity.  Stealing and robbing the morale of those who want to follow God—calling them names and pushing agendas into the media that surrounds our very being.  You cannot go anywhere or turn on a show without hearing God’s name being used in vain.  Splitting the family unit apart and saying parents have no rights to teach their children?  So, what are we to do to remain faithful?

What about the Priests or our preachers?

Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets
Who make my people stray;
Who chant “Peace”
While they chew with their teeth,
But who prepare war against him
Who puts nothing into their mouths:
6 “Therefore you shall have night without vision,
And you shall have darkness without divination;
The sun shall go down on the prophets,
And the day shall be dark for them.
7 So the seers shall be ashamed,
And the diviners abashed;
Indeed they shall all cover their lips;
For there is no answer from God.”

Remember what were the priests commanded to do to Stand faithful?

They were to read the law daily and teach it. It was absolutely imperative that every 7 years the priests were to gather all the people together and to read the complete law.  Essentially all would hear and beyond that they were to teach them regularly. 

9 So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”  Deuteronomy 31:9-13 (NKJV

So, How Do We Stand Faithful?

Much like Micah, we must know the truth.  For us to do that we must study the word.  Micah had to know the law as we must also know.  Our only weapon is the Word of God, wielded with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord,
And of justice and might,
To declare to Jacob his transgression
And to Israel his sin.
9 Now hear this,
You heads of the house of Jacob
And rulers of the house of Israel,
Who abhor justice
And pervert all equity,
10 Who build up Zion with bloodshed
And Jerusalem with iniquity:
11 Her heads judge for a bribe,
Her priests teach for pay,
And her prophets divine for money.
Yet they lean on the Lord, and say,
“Is not the Lord among us?
No harm can come upon us.”
12 Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed like a field,
Jerusalem shall become heaps of ruins,
And the mountain of the temple
Like the bare hills of the forest.

Secondly, to stand faithful when evil surrounds

We must remember the truth.  God is Sovereign.  All of this is merely bumps in the road to Glory with Him.  This life is brief compared to eternity.  That is what Micah reminds us of next week in Chapters 4-5.  That was the secret that kept Daniel faithful in a land where evil surrounds.  Keep our eyes focused on Him.

So How Are We to Stand Faithful to God

  1.  Study the word every day.  That is your blueprint and it is your sword against the world. 
  2.  Always remember God’s Promises are true
  3.  Hold fast to Steadfast Joy—What do I mean?  Momentary joy is not what you need for it is based on a lie.  Steadfast joy is based on 3 major principals
  4.  God IS Sovereign, Omnipotent, Perfect Righteousness, Justice, and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  That is faith.  When you know this:  you do not run in fear or fall apart when things turn upside down.  Hebrews 11:6
  5. Know Your purpose as outlined in the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17.  The purpose for your existence is to be enveloped in God’s love (John 17:23), showered with His Joy (John 17:13), and that He might share His glory with you.  He does not need your or me to save another’s soul.  That He can do all by Himself and that is His greatest act of Glory.  Therefore, when He allows you or me to be a part of that act, He has shared His Glory with us. 
  6. Know who you are.  Ephesians 1-3 clearly outlines that we are His Beloved, Redeemed, Chosen Child, Heir of the Kingdom, endowed with power from on High, sealed by the Holy Spirit eternally, Servant to Him by choice, Mighty Warrior, endowed with special gifts for the Kingdom.  With that resume, why do we ever feel down or depressed?  
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter So Much to God?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt.com

What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter So Much to God?

What is Faith? It is knowing that God is Sovereign over all and that I can trust Him to Keep all of His promises. That means regardless of sight, I trust Him to know what is best for me, believing His Sovereign Will over all things in my life. My Heavenly Father really does knows best for my life.

        We talk so much about faith.  But do we even really understand what faith is.  And more importantly, why does faith matter so much to God?  1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. .3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11 (NKJV).  But why does faith matter so much to God?

            Everything from creation through revelation depends on these two premises of faith.  God IS.  The Great I am, creator of heaven and earth, the very substance by which everything exists is Sovereign overall.  The Beginning and the END, the author, and the finisher of all things reigns supreme in perfect righteousness, perfect love, and perfect glory.  That is premise 1.  But for faith to exist, one must also believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Everything concerning faith hinges on these two premises. 

            Even if I believe that God IS, and do not believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, then faith fails me.  I must truly believe that He is doing all things for my good, or I will falter in my faith.  That is when I try to do faith my way, not His.  If I believe both premises, then I know whatever comes, He has a perfect plan that is Good, loving and that will bring me ever closer to Him.  It is that lack of true faith that led the Israelites always farther away from God and into their own destruction.

A Failure of Faith

“When Israel was a child, I loved him,
And out of Egypt I called My son.
2 As they called them,
So they went from them;
They sacrificed to the Baals,
And burned incense to carved images.

3 “I taught Ephraim to walk,
Taking them by their arms;
But they did not know that I healed them.
4 I drew them with [e]gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their [f]neck.
I stooped and fed them.  Hosea 11

The story repeats itself from the beginning of time throughout the ages.  God urges the people to remember Him and all of His goodness toward them.  He not only points back in time to His rescuing the people from Egypt. ,But He also points forward in time to when the Messiah would come.  So, often this is the case with scripture.  He foretells the future both near and far while recalling the past.  God does this so that we might know He IS Omnipotent (all knowing) and Sovereign.  Just as He fulfills every promise He has spoken in the past, He will faithfully fulfill every promise in the future.  Every promise is yes and amen in Him.

9 Remember the former things of old,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’ Isaiah 46:

A Slipping from Faith

The Nation of Israel, despite all God’s blessing failed in their faith. They failed to believe that His Prohibitions were for their good. Some remembered all He did, but felt that He would do it regardless of their own disobedience. Just like Cain, they wanted to practice religion their own way–not as Thus Saith The Lord.

5 “He shall not return to the land of Egypt;
But the Assyrian shall be his king,
Because they refused to repent.
6 And the sword shall slash in his cities,
Devour his districts,
And consume them,
Because of their own counsels.
7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most High,
None at all exalt Him.  Hosea 11

God has always been very clear in His message.  Trust me and know that I am Good, if not you will destroy your own happiness.  God speaks with commands and sometimes prohibitions, not to “destroy our joy”; but to give us true joy.    From the days of Adam and Eve, God gave them the choice to trust Him by faith when He said you do not want to eat from that tree—it will bring death and destruction.   He had said the same to the children of Israel, do not chase after idols—they will be your death and destruction.  But all too often, even we are guilty of wanting to worship God our way.  We do not demonstrate the faith of believing He really does know best and wants our best. 

They Failed to Believe

 When Ephraim spoke, trembling,
He exalted himself in Israel;
But when he offended through Baal worship, he died.
2 Now they sin more and more,
And have made for themselves molded images,
Idols of their silver, according to their skill;
All of it is the work of craftsmen.
They say of them,
“Let [a]the men who sacrifice [b]kiss the calves!”
3 Therefore they shall be like the morning cloud
And like the early dew that passes away,
Like chaff blown off from a threshing floor
And like smoke from a chimney.

4 “Yet I am the Lord your God
Ever since the land of Egypt,
And you shall know no God but Me;
For there is no savior besides Me.  Hosea 13

God reminds them that He did not forsake them, they forsook Him.  Yet, His promises will not fail.  Perhaps for that generation it was too late, but He IS the Lord and one day He would bring His son to die on the cross for them.  Though only a remnant would survive, He would be faithful.  That has been true throughout all of history.  After all His story is that.  He IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him.  Not that always gets it right, but that diligently seek Him, trusting Him regardless of what their sight might say.  This is a matter of the heart. 

Yet, one day by faith.

 O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
2 Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
“Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices[a] of our lips.
3 Assyria shall not save us,
We will not ride on horses,
Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are our gods.’
For in You the fatherless finds mercy.”  Hosea 14

There is nothing that my hands can do to save me.  The works of my hands are not my god and cannot save me.  Only He can as He promised through humbly, repentent faith in His Son for my salvation and to be my Lord of all.

4 “I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
5 I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall [b]grow like the lily,
And [c]lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
6 His branches shall [d]spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And [e]grow like a vine.
Their [f]scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.  Hosea 14

Then by faith they will trust Him and cast aside all idols One day

8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”

9 Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.   Hosea 14

Therefore, What is Faith and Why Does Faith Matter to God?

When ever we do not believe that God IS and that He Is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, then we wander so far from Him.  He knows that it is not a world view that can satisfy the desires of our heart.  Only an intimate close relationship with our creator can satisfy the thirst within us.  Only He can give us joy, hope and future overflowing.  All else brings us depression, sorrow, anxiety, and fear.  Humanity constantly searches for ways to reach eutopia without God.  But unfortunately, without God our hearts become egocentric—leading to isolation, pain, selfishness, depression and evil invades.  The most altruistic humanist at best finds themself lost in a sea of nothingness as noted in “Being and Nothingness” by Jean Paul-Sartre.  So, why does faith matter to God?  Because He loves us too much to not try to save us from our own destruction.  Still, He allows you and I the freedom to choose—an eternity with out Him or an eternity in Glory with Him. 

Without the freedom to choose, there is no love, faith, or committment. God in His Sovereignty and Wisdom knows this. Yet, I could not have come to Him without His callings. His Sovereignty reigns supreme, even if I do not fully comprehend how both are true. They are. So, what am I to do? Love Him with every ounce of my being, seeing Him as my greatest treasure. And to then knowing this tell everyone I know of His Magnificent Glorious Grace.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

When the World Falls Apart  Remember Jeremiah’s Song of Hope in God

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt.com

When the World Falls Apart  Remember Jeremiah’s Song of Hope in God

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3 (NKJV)

When one considers all the sorrows, stresses, and fears that seem to surround us.  So many masses distraught by their circumstances.  Famines, wars, rumors of war, pestilence, violence, and the constant noise of evil pressing in from every side.   What is one to do?  I become sometimes overwhelmed by the masses living their lives in quiet desperation.  If only I could tell them the truth.  The good news of the gospel.  Jesus is everything their heart desires.  If only they could hear me.  But alas, who am I to speak out and who will listen.  As this world plunges forward into darkness, who will listen to this my cry of hope?  As I pondered these thoughts, I remembered Jeremiah.  His words inspired this poem which I have titled the Jeremiah’s song.

        God called Jeremiah to leave his beloved fiancé and his family to go out and proclaim the truth of God’s word to a nation who did not want to hear truth.  They preferred the lies of their own making.  Much like our world today.  God told Jeremiah, no one will listen; but keep on preaching anyway.  His family turned against him.  He was beaten, jailed, spit on and mocked; yet, Jeremiah remained faithful.  Then on that day when Jerusalem was burned to the ground around him (for he sat in a jail), he was spared that day.  Escaping to Egypt where he was then stoned to death by his fellow Israelites who had escaped with him.  But he wrote these words in Lamentations before his death.  Let them ring deep into your heart today as they did mine.

Jeremiah’s Song:  Lamentations 3:1-18—the sorrows surrounding

I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
2 He has led me and made me walk
In darkness and not in light.
3 Surely He has turned His hand against me
Time and time again throughout the day.

4 He has aged my flesh and my skin,
And broken my bones.
5 He has besieged me
And surrounded me with bitterness and [a]woe.
6 He has set me in dark places
Like the dead of long ago.

7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out;
He has made my chain heavy.
8 Even when I cry and shout,
He shuts out my prayer.
9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone;
He has made my paths crooked.

10 He has been to me a bear lying in wait,
Like a lion in [b]ambush.
11 He has turned aside my ways and torn me in pieces;
He has made me desolate.
12 He has bent His bow
And set me up as a target for the arrow.

13 He has caused the [c]arrows of His quiver
To pierce my [d]loins.
14 I have become the ridicule of all my people—
Their taunting song all the day.
15 He has filled me with bitterness,
He has made me drink wormwood.

16 He has also broken my teeth with gravel,
And [e]covered me with ashes.
17 You have moved my soul far from peace;
I have forgotten [f]prosperity.
18 And I said, “My strength and my hope
Have perished from the Lord.”

Jeremiah’s Song- Lamentations 3:   19-26 God is Faithful

19 Remember my affliction and roaming,
The wormwood and the [g]gall.
20 My soul still remembers
And [h]sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.

22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”

25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.

When Jeremiah remembers all his sorrows, he also remembers the mercies of God that carried him through each day.  It was God’s love and grace that carried him through the toughest of times.  The love of God was more important than any other pleasures this world could offer him. 

Jeremiah’s Song:  Lamentations 3: 27:41  The Magnitude of God’s Grace


27 It is good for a man to bear
The yoke in his youth.

28 Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust—
There may yet be hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.

31 For the Lord will not cast off forever.
32 Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
33 For He does not afflict [i]willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.

34 To crush under one’s feet
All the prisoners of the earth,
35 To turn aside the justice due a man
Before the face of the Most High,
36 Or subvert a man in his cause—
The Lord does not approve.

37 Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass,
When the Lord has not commanded it?
38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
That woe and well-being proceed?
39 Why should a living man [j]complain,
A man for the punishment of his sins?

40 Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
41 Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.

When one considers the truth of their own heart they will know the magnitude of grace God has shown.  I do not DESERVE His grace; yet, He gave it to me anyway.  What I deserved was the cross.  My heart does not love with a purity of love, nor does my life shine forth perfect righteousness as is His.  Yet, He loved me, died for me and paid the price of my sin.  How could I ever moan or cry unfair?  Instead, as I watch this world plunging itself into Hell’s Eternal fire, how can I not cry forth Jeremiah’s Song to all around me?

Jeremiah’s Song

Hope Eternal in Darkest of Night

Screeching sounds of war all around
Obscuring truth letting evil abound
Desperation, sorrow, and tears
Darkest of night, panic, and fears
How do I hold on? How do I stand?
While people are hurting all over the land
Famine and illness, violence, and crime
Worries of money, pressures of time.

Yet this I remember and recall to mind
He is my hope, His mercy so kind
To even have looked on me with such grace
The gentleness, kindness of His smiling face
Redeemed me despite of my wretched heart
That I might be saved, His heart to impart
Oh, how can I have moaned or have shamefully cried
Against God’s Only Son who was crucified
He never said no, He bore all my shame
With dignity, honor He then did proclaim
Forgive them, Dear Father, I’ll take their place
That is His beauty, His Mercy His Grace

When screeching sounds of war surround
Truth is obscured letting evil abound
When desperation, sorrow, and tears
Fill the darkest night with panic and fears
I will not run and I will not fall
Jesus my Savior my all in all
He is my portion, He is my strength
To finish this race, whatever length
He is the hope to rise high above
Soaring with joy because of His love
Thank you, dear Jesus, You are the one
That lifts up my heart and gives me a song. 

So, everyone, everywhere this is my plea
Come to Jesus today, then you will see
He is the hope that your heart desires
The water of life that quenches all fires
He’s waiting, dear friends, with arms open wide
That you humbly bow to sit by His side.
Repentant of sin, give Him your life
He will be your strength overcoming life’s strife.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Previous

An Absolutely Guilty Sentence Before a Righteous God.  Now What?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed from Goodsalt.com

An Absolutely Guilty Sentence Before a Righteous God.  Now What?

Alas, sinful nation,
A people laden with iniquity,
A brood of evildoers,
Children who are corrupters!
They have forsaken the Lord,
They have provoked to anger
The Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away backward.
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
If you are willing Isaiah 1:4,18,19 NKJV

        Hosea presented the case regarding the guilt of Ephraim with exacting words from God.  The people of Israel were absolutely guilty before a Righteous God.  His words condemned them totally. However, also offering a sliver of hope for their repentance.  After all, if the Ninevites could be saved, surely there was hope for God’s people.  Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph, named as one of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Joshua was his descendent and thus the richest of the lands were owned by the tribe of Ephraim.  They had prospered tremendously in the land of Israel.  Yet, amid great prosperity, they became careless and complacent.   Ultimately, pride and arrogance lead to the division of the northern 10 tribes of Israel from the southern tribes.  God speaks out harshly against “Ephraim” as he admonishes the northern tribes of Israel. 

Hear the word of the Lord,You children of Israel,
For the Lord brings a charge[a] against the inhabitants of the land:

“There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.
2 By swearing and lying,
Killing and stealing and committing adultery,
They break all restraint,
With bloodshed [b]upon bloodshed.
3 Therefore the land will mourn;
And everyone who dwells there will waste away
With the beasts of the field
And the birds of the air;
Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.  Hosea 4 (NKJV)

Sounds familiar?  “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land.” 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.  Hosea 4:6

Are we as a nation rejecting the knowledge of God?

Absolutely Guilty

7 “The more they increased,
The more they sinned against Me;
Iwill change  their glory into shame.
8 They eat up the sin of My people;
They set their  heart on their iniquity.
9 And it shall be: like people, like priest.
So I will punish them for their ways,
And reward them for their deeds.
10 For they shall eat, but not have enough;
They shall commit harlotry, but not increase;
Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.  Hosea 4

One of the saddest things we see on earth is the careless casting aside of God by humans particularly in their moments of greatest blessings.  It is as though during those seasons we forget that all we have is because of His grace alone and mercy toward us.  How quickly did the Israelite nation forget all of God’s mercies toward them. 

Yet God Pleads with Them through Hosea

 Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will [a]bind us up.
2 After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
3 Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

4 “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you?
O Judah, what shall I do to you?
For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud,
And like the early dew it goes away.
5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets,
I have slain them by the words of My mouth;
And  your judgments are like light that goes forth.
6 For I desire mercyand not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings

                                              Hosea 6 (NET)

One can hearing the pleading of Hosea’s voice. After all Hosea understood the depth of God’s love for these who had cast His love aside like dirty rags to chase after other lovers.  Hosea had been deserted by the wife he loved. How often are we guilty of the same, casting aside God’s love while searching after other earthly pleasures?  Is our nation not guilty of the same acts of harlotry?

Absolutely Guilty with no shame

As they saw Assyria preparing to attack, what did the Israelite people do?   Did they look to God and lay down their idols?  No Repentance was far from their hearts, as they looked to Egypt for their rescue.  Ah, but how often do we want to return to whatever Egypt we were formerly enslaved to rather than to turn to God who loves us? 

11 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without [e]sense—
They call to Egypt,
They go to Assyria.
12 Wherever they go, I will spread My net on them;
I will bring them down like birds of the air;
I will chastise them
According to what their congregation has heard.

13 “Woe to them, for they have fled from Me!
Destruction to them,
Because they have transgressed against Me!
Though I redeemed them,
Yet they have spoken lies against Me.
14 They did not cry out to Me with their heart
When they wailed upon their beds.

“They [f]assemble together for grain and new wine,
[g]They rebel against Me;
15 Though I disciplined and strengthened their arms,
Yet they devise evil against Me;
16 They return, but not [h]to the Most High;
They are like a treacherous bow.
Their princes shall fall by the sword
For the cursings of their tongue.
This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.

Hosea 7 (NET)

THE WRITING ON THE WALL

Much as what happened to King Belshazzar of Babylon, one day all nations will come to the place of judgment.  It was over 300 years after Hosea and after Israel fell to Assyria. Assyria as well as Judah were then overtaken by the Babylonian Empire.  Step by step God’s mighty hand had marched forward in time.  He used a pagan empire to punish His people.  King Nebuchadnezzar came to believe also in the God of Israel, the one true God. 

Yet, years after Nebuchadnezzar’s death, it would be time for Cyrus of Persia to return the remnant of true believers to Jerusalem.  Isaiah had foretold of this hundreds of years before it happened.   Therefore, one fateful night King Belshazzar, the co-regent of Babylon with his father Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire threw a party.  At that party King Belshazzar called for all the sacred golden cups stolen from the temple of God.  He poured wine in these to defile them when a hand wrote on the wall.

That hand wrote an ominous warning that time was up for the Babylonians and for their kingdom.  Just like that, they were absolutely guilty before a Righteous God.  These were the words of God spoken through Daniel that night.

Daniel 5: (NET)

18 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed. And whomever he wished, he kept alive Also, whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.

20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he [l]knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.

22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have [m]lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of [n]His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the [o]fingers of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.

The Words Written by the Hand of God

25 “And this is the inscription that was written:

[p]MENE, MENE, [q]TEKEL, [r]UPHARSIN.

26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”[s] 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.

God has numbered your kingdom and finished it.  You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting, Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians. 

Daniel was now an old man.  He had spent years praying for the remnant.  Cast aside by the younger King, he had too been forgotten.  Yet, God put him in the room to witness the takeover by the Persians, knowing this was the answer to prayer and God’s perfect orchestration of the salvation of the remnant. 

Could God say the same of our nation? Or even our world? Are we not absolutely guilty before a righteous God.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS: Absolutely Guilty

Where are we as a nation?  Furthermore, where do you and I stand at the present.  If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, then we have nothing to fear.  Yes, I am absolutely guilty before a righteous God; however, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ I am justified.  When He looks down from heaven, He sees the sacrifice of His Son.  Washed in the blood, I am clean forever.   The storms may rage, but He will hold us fast.  He will complete all that He has planned. 

So, what are we to do now?  WE are to be the beacons of light in this dark and troubled world.  How could I give Him less than all of me, (heart, mind, and soul) every moment of every day?  That is the least I can do and I can trust Him in the darkest hours because I can see His heart of love through it all.    

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

How Much Are You Willing to Lose for The Amazing Love of God?

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo by Permission of RoninRon Pencil Art

How Much Are You Willing to Lose for The Amazing Love of God?

 Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. I Peter 4

        Throughout the scripture, God sent prophets and His word to the people, pleading with them to turn to Him.  The amazing love of God reaches out to us, in our darkest hours in spite of our sins.  He sent His son to pay the price of our sin so that we might be saved.  The same amazing love of God has loved me even when I ran after other idols, just as the children on Israel had.  But how much am I willing to lose to cling tight to the amazing love of God.  What if He requires, I lay aside everything, that I might be His voice in the world?  That was the case of the prophets.  Each sacrificed everything.  Some more than others.

        God’s prophets each presented their message in various ways to try to reach the people.  Jeremiah was asked to walk away from his life and the woman he loved to preach God’s message to a people who would not listen.  Ezekiel’s wife died and he was not even given a chance to mourn, because his message was too great.  Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians where he was castrated.  Each one sacrificing so much to gain everything.  And why?  Because they understood and desired the Amazing Love of God.  They saw God in all His Glory as the greatest treasure to be desired and thereby they were willing to lose everything for the sake of speaking His truth to the people.      

         Each prophet spoke by different means.  Jonah through his own failures pointed to the people’s sin.  Amos, a shepherd spoke clearly against the sins of the people.  Meanwhile, Hosea spoke of God’s judgement to come, was also asked to live out an example before the people of God’s Amazing Love. 

Hosea 1: (NKJV)- The Amazing Love of God Displayed

1 The word of the Lord that came to Hosea the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.  2 When the Lord began to speak by Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea:

“Go, take yourself a wife of harlotry
And children of harlotry,
For the land has committed great [a]harlotry
By departing from the Lord.”

Nowhere are we told if Hosea knew she was a harlot when he married her.  Most likely not, rather it by the time he wrote this he knew.  Yet, God had sent him to marry Gomer and put in his heart to love her unconditionally.  God knew her heart and saw that her heart was like that of the people of Israel toward Him.  They chased after other loves, believing in them they would find the desires of their hearts fulfilled.  But the truth they failed to see. 

He Did as God Commanded

3 So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. 4 Then the Lord said to him:“Call his name Jezreel,
For in a little while
I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu,
And bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel.
5 It shall come to pass in that day
That I will break the bow of Israel in the Valley of Jezreel”  (Hosea NKJV).

God clearly spoke of the judgement to come. 

Even In Judgement the Amazing Love of God was shown

6 And she conceived again and bore a daughter. Then God said to him:

“Call her name [b]Lo-Ruhamah,
For I will no longer have mercy on the house of Israel,
[c]But I will utterly take them away.
7 Yet I will have mercy on the house of Judah,
Will save them by the Lord their God,
And will not save them by bow,
Nor by sword or battle,
By horses or horsemen.”

It was too late for Israel; but mercy was still extended to the house of Judah.  The 10 tribes of Israel have only recently begun to return to the land after all these years.  Yet, Judah did return after the Babylonian exile.  Jesus was born from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of King David as foretold.  Yet, Hosea preached on the truth, even as his heart was about to be broken.  The amazing love of God sometimes breaks our hearts that we might understand the depth of His love for us. 

The Amazing Love of God Proclaims Mercy After Judgement

8 Now when she had weaned Lo-Ruhamah, she conceived and bore a son. 9 Then God said:

“Call his name [d]Lo-Ammi,
For you are not My people,
And I will not be your God.

10 “Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them,
‘You are [e]not My people,’
There it shall be said to them,
‘You are sons of the living God.’
11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel
Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head;
And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!

One day they would return, that day is yet to come when God returns to reign in Jerusalem.  All this plays out in the life of Hosea. 

Hosea’s Wife Leaves

Gomer left to a life of prostitution, seeking gold and riches.  Hosea with broken heart raised his children.  All the people whispered and mocked him, as he continued to preach God’s words.  Knowing the law demanded her death, Hosea continued to love Gomer with a broken heart. 

This was a picture of the people of Israel and how they were harlots toward God.  His Amazing love for them pursued them; yet they rejected Him to seek after worldly goods. 

And after the judgement, there will be yet to come the mercy of God to Israel. 

Hosea 2:

14 “Therefore, behold, I will allure her,
Will bring her into the wilderness,
And speak [g]comfort to her.
15 I will give her her vineyards from there,
And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope;
She shall sing there,
As in the days of her youth,
As in the day when she came up from the land of Egypt.

16 “And it shall be, in that day,”
Says the Lord,
“That you will call Me [h]‘My Husband,’
And no longer call Me [i]‘My Master,’

19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.

21 “It shall come to pass in that day
That I will answer,” says the Lord;
“I will answer the heavens,
And they shall answer the earth.
22 The earth shall answer
With grain,
With new wine,
And with oil;
They shall answer [j]Jezreel.
23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had [k]not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were [l]not My people,
‘You are [m]My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ”

This will yet be the case.  Despite all the years, one day Christ will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords over the entire world including the Israeli nation.  And as an example of the Amazing Love of God, Hosea also went to rescue Gomer once she had lost everything and was being sold as a slave. Gomer was broken, enslaved, and deserving of death.  Hosea was sent to save his beloved.

Hosea 3

3 Then the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover[a] and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.”

2 So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and one and one-half homers of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You shall stay with me many days; you shall not play the harlot, nor shall you have a man—so, too, will I be toward you.”

4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.

So, the question is:  What are you willing to lose to proclaim the Amazing Love of God to a world that is broken.   What if He asked you to live a life of suffering or sacrifice that one person might be saved?  Is there any suffering too great for the salvation of one soul? 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

PREVIOUS

Knowing Jesus Could Return Today. Why Does My Life Look the Same

DISCLOSURES

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Photo licensed through Goodsalt.com