The Bible states, “Thus saith the LORD [to the Prophet Jeremiah], Stand in the court of the LORD’s house and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’S house, All the words that I command thee to speak unto them diminish not a word: If so be, they will hearken and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent Me of the evil of their doings. And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law which I have set before you…To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened; Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth…” (Jeremiah 26:2-6) When we lay down at night we assume we will get up the next morning! Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. If we fail to repent of our evil ways, what will happen to us? Think of it like this: if we pass away during the night and we have not repented of our evil ways, will we lift up our eyes in heaven or hell? However, if we repent of our sins, GOD CAN CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT US!
BRING IT DOWN ON HOME:
Do you ever stop to think just how much we all get away with? None of us are perfect as you already know. However, the LORD GOD still loves us and HE allows us to live on each day as we go our own narrow ways! In public, we bless our food (for show and tell purposes) but at home (watching the television) we “dig-in”, smack our lips, lick our fingers, belch, and down our sodas, beers, and wines. In other areas of our lives, we don’t live like we eat – as devotees to food! We take a laid-back attitude about the things we do in the name of CHRIST JESUS! We’re glad for financial and material blessings but we fall to pieces when things go wrong. We should love, honor, and obey the LORD GOD, in good and bad times!
CHECK OUT THE LESSON!
(1) GOD says, “REPENT [godly sorrowful] from our sins…or else.. I will make this house like Shiloh.” By now, you should be asking, what happened at Shiloh? In short, some Benjamites (the men of Belial – meaning useless or worthless) sexually violated a certain man’s concubine (but not by choice as they wanted to violate the male factor) all night long until sun up. The next day, she died. This certain man (who was emotionally attached to the deceased young woman) took a knife and cut up her dead body into twelve (12) pieces and sent each piece to each one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He wanted the Children of Israel to know how ungodly the Benjamites behaved; so he gave them a hands on visual of the crime. This entire story is shameful! The LORD GOD punished the Benjamites (about 25,100 men were killed) because GOD allowed eleven of the twelve Tribes of Israel to go up against the Benjamites. In this particular case, GOD did not change HIS mind.
(2) IS GOD TELLING US THE SAME THING TODAY? YES…YES…YES! Look at the mess all over the news: the Malaysian airplane is still missing (about 239 souls lost); refugees fleeing from Syria and other countries as militants seize their houses, land, and wealth; the Ebola disease is killing hundreds of people in central Africa (and still spreading like wild fire); and so forth! Like the Benjamites, nations, governments, and militants are taking matters into their own hands! They change the rules of engagement on a daily basis to fit their needs. Many things are happening because people and nations have refused to obey the Living GOD! Folks are doing their own thang! Although GOD’S justice is delayed, IT IS COMING! Honey, baby – IT IS FORTHCOMING! GOD IS NOT DEAD AND HE IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!
(3) WHAT CAN WE DO? The ancient stories in the Bible are still relevant for us today. GOD’S Word never changes and GOD NEVER CHANGES! The Children of Israel took up arms against the Benjamites (their brother). Likewise, we must learn to fight back through prayer, fasting, changing the laws, electing honest officials, and with military or brute force. This must be done through the proper chains of command! You must not run out there and take matters into your own hands as we have governing laws! However, you cannot point a banana at a gunman.
Let us rally behind TRUTH! In other words, do not prejudice yourselves against another’s race, color, beliefs, or creed! Stand up for the RIGHT! Our GOD is a forgiving Lord but HE will fight our battles. Let each one of us, get on the LORD’S side! Let each one of us repent of our sins! For it may be, GOD CAN CHANGE HIS MIND ABOUT US!
Constance Lee's Blog 