April 2010
We should do it because it’s the right thing to do. In reality, that’s really the right reason for doing the right thing. The problem is, when you’ve thrown out absolute truths and replaced them with your own views and values, you end up with what’s going on in our country: Total chaos.
You see, just as magnets automatically point due north. . .and just as geese and ducks fly south in the winter. . .and just as salmon swim upstream to the place of their birth to lay their eggs before dying. . .so has God instilled within us an internal “homing device” designed to bring us back to Him.
Some have called it a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts; others liken it to an inward hungering-and-thirsting that nothing or no one else can fill. That’s why Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee, O God.”
So true, so true.
Yet, like our progenitors, Adam and Eve, by nature we yearn to eat of the “forbidden fruit.” By nature we prefer darkness over light and wrong over right.
That’s why we don’t want copies of the Ten Commandments hanging up in our classrooms and courtrooms. And, that’s why we don’t like having prayer in school.
They remind us of the One Who created us and we don’t want or like Him trying to tell us what to do.
So, we’ve basically told Him to take a hike—and, because He won’t force His will on us, He has. . .saying in the process, “Okay, that’s fine. I’ll just turn you over to a perverted mind where you’ll choose those things that will cause you heartache. Because I love, I’ll ‘turn you over to’ and ‘give you up to’ your worst enemy (yourself) and you’ll end up choosing evil and applauding those who do the same” (Romans 1:18-32).
And, THAT, dear Reader, is the wrath of God, not hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. (although He does use them to warn us of our sinful ways and call us to repentance).
Pride was the reason Adam and Eve listened to the devil, rather than God, and ushered in all of the ills of the world like disease, deformity, destruction, division, discord and death. And, even though we think we are so “enlightened” and believe education, economic reform, equality between the races, etc., are the “Pathways to Peace,” those are anything but that.
Pride and rebellion pave the downward road to destruction—for those who “live in this world without God live in this world without hope” (Ephesians 2:12; Matthew 7:13).
Based upon what you read in the headlines, hear on the radio, watch on television and hear on the street, don’t you think it’s about time that we “humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s Face and turn from our wicked ways” (II Chronicles 7:14)? Don’t you think we’ve “sowed to the wind and reaped the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7) long enough?
. There’s no doubt that this message is not a popular or politically correct one. That’s okay—no one ever likes being told what they’re doing or saying is wrong. If they didn’t like the prophet’s message in Old Testament days, they just killed the prophet. When they didn’t like
what Jesus had to say or do, they falsely accused Him, tried Him in a kangaroo court and then hanged Him on an old rugged Cross until He was dead.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” one said. “Now we can do what we want.”
And, that’d be fine if the Story ended there; but it didn’t.
When the stone rolled away from the tomb early on that first Resurrection Morning, Truth and Love—all wrapped up into one—stepped out. When Jesus lifted His Hands to Heaven and gave a wave offering to the Father, He also demonstrated His Power over death and His rightful Place as the Supreme Authority over our lives, governments, businesses, worship, etc.
Just because He’s letting evil run rampant right now doesn’t mean He’s powerless or missing-in-action. He’s still around. . .taking note of everything that’s said and done. And, one of these days soon He’ll say “Enough!” and woe to those who aren’t ready.
Here’s hoping you’re ready, dear Reader; if not, isn’t it about time to do so?
(NOTE: If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily e-mail devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can write him at P.O. Box 582, Coushatta, LA 71019 or e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).
