Lamentations 2 - No More Killing

The wall has been torn down (vs 8).  God's children willfully turned their backs on Him and He has withdrawn His right hand from the approach of their enemy. (vs 3) The enemy has overtaken them at the LORD's hand. There is nothing, no One, to protect them.

And... what is their response? They cry! They blame God!

“Look, Lord, and consider:
    Whom have you ever treated like this?
Should women eat their offspring,
    the children they have cared for?
Should priest and prophet be killed    
    in the sanctuary of the Lord?" (vs 20 NIV)

That women should eat their offspring, is this God's fault? That a government would use chemical weapons on their own people or anyone; that a government should invade the airspace of another and target those we suspect (key word - suspect) are our enemies with drones; that a court should find guilty and put to death an innocent man; that a parent could murder his/her own children; is this God's fault? Maybe, we should consider that because we would disrespect His creation with such atrocities against one another that God might withhold His hand of protection from us. Maybe, we should quit blaming God for what we do in His name and take a little responsibility for not caring for those things in this world that God has given us.

Yes, lament, grieve, the losses. But, we need to put an end to blaming God for the consequences of our own actions and inactions. We need to be able to stand up and confess our sins that we might receive forgiveness purchased for us (for all) through the blood of Jesus Christ, our LORD; otherwise His death has been in vain.

No more killing.... “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 57 - Peace, Peace

Worshipping false idols, mocking, sneering at God and at His prophets....  All these things are done. Yet, God continues to be there with us to lead us in His Way. He is with us. "And it will be said: “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”  For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy:  “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."" (Isa 57:14, 15 NIV)

He is with us always and if we are to know His peace, then it would behoove us to follow in the Way that He shows us with contrite hearts.

This morning I read some posts regarding the Syrian rebels massacring an entire village that was predominantly Christian and the execution of orthodox Christians. It reminded me that not long ago, they had also taken captive two orthodox Bishops. It is disheartening to hear or read about Christians being targeted and persecuted and even executed. We remind ourselves that the righteous in Christ shall live forever, as they are heirs of the Kingdom, even as we wonder how such atrocities could occur. It is also very wearisome to listen to those who say they are Christians who constantly deride the church on earth. God speaks through Isaiah: 

"The righteous perish,
    and no one takes it to heart;
the devout are taken away,
    and no one understands
that the righteous are taken away
    to be spared from evil.
Those who walk uprightly
    enter into peace;
    they find rest as they lie in death.

“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress,
    you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
Who are you mocking?
    At whom do you sneer
    and stick out your tongue?
Are you not a brood of rebels,    the offspring of liars?"  (Isa 57:1-4)
 

Who indeed, do you mock? God? His servants? His children? You can feign self-righteousness all you want, but the only one that really matters, God, Himself, knows what secrets we hold in our hearts and what it is that motivates us. God promises to bring healing (peace) to His children. Verses 18-21 remind us of His promises:

 

"I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
    I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
    creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
    says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
    which cannot rest,
    whose waves cast up mire and mud.“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isa 57:18-21

 

God's Peace be with you all.  Pr. J