When I was pregnant with our second child, everyone in both of our families was convinced that I was carrying a girl because we had a son first and I carried the two very differently. If you’ve been pregnant, you’ve heard the old wives tales and all of the awkward questions. No doubt you’ve experienced the even more uncomfortable belly pats from complete strangers. Our son, Aaron, was two weeks shy of two when Caroline was born. Right up to my delivery, I convinced myself that I would have another boy. I know it was my way of trying to prepare myself for either eventuality. Many people also assumed that since we had one boy and one girl, our family was complete. Though my husband was fine with two, he deferred to me. I wanted six.
Consider your own thought processes when you’re making major decisions. Something that makes perfect sense in theory, even something you have your heart set on can unsettle you or give you pause in the meantime. We stopped after three children. After two, I knew I wanted more. After three, I knew I simply did not want to be pregnant again. Did I ever second guess myself? Of course, but only briefly. God saw what I could not and He gave me peace with my decision, then and now. When I am consciously following Him and when I am distracted, my heart’s desire remains the same. In words Jesus taught us to pray,
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.6.9-10.NIV
Scripture pointed to Jesus from the beginning. From Genesis to Revelation, God the Son is present, promised, existing with the Father until the appointed time. The eleventh chapter of Hebrews illustrates how those before Christ’s advent were justified by the same faith we now share. We hold the canon of God’s Word in the palm of our hands, sacred writings breathed out by God and made accessible to every believer. We are not dependent only on hearing and remembering. We are able to study and show ourselves approved, workers who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
In Old Testament times, God spoke through prophets, messengers tasked with carrying His word to His people at specific times and under certain circumstances. Though these missives were intended to address a specific audience in a place and time long ago, we also find wisdom in their lessons. When God speaks, we do well to listen, remembering the great privilege we have of coming directly into His presence, of sitting at His feet, made possible by Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross.
One of the major prophets, Isaiah, received the word of the Lord for the southern kingdom of Judah during the reign of four of her kings. God’s messages promised defeat, the destruction of Jerusalem, and captivity. Judah watched Israel fall long before her own walls were breached. The last of the four kings, Hezekiah, entertained envoys from Babylon, ostentatiously showing them all the riches of his kingdom.
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord:
The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon.
Nothing will be left, says the Lord.
Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile.
They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king.”
Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.”
For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.””
2 Kings 20:16-19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ki.20.19.NLT
His smug selfishness without thought or care for the people God charged him with leading, without regard even for his own progeny epitomizes the heart of the nation. Israel fell. Judah would likewise fall because they refused to repent.
“All the people will know it— Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.
Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth.
Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.
But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.”
Isaiah 9:9-13 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.9.9-13.NIV
God allowed the people of His possession, His chosen nation, to suffer the consequences of their own rebellion and the harsh truth is that everyone suffered, from the youngest to the oldest, from the least to the greatest. Leadership was corrupt. Prophets spoke false messages of blessing and protection, claiming they were from Almighty God. The people believed what their itching ears wanted to hear. They convinced themselves of the lie, forgetting their defeat on their first attempt to claim the Promised Land apart from God. “We are God’s chosen people,” they seemed to say. “His special possession. He will not let us fall.” But He did and He would. No matter what happened, they remained stubbornly arrogant, holding onto false hope.
They wanted blessing without responsibility. They wanted self indulgence without consequences and God would have none of it. Short or long, judgment would fall. God would not only remove His hand of protection but He would orchestrate their demise. Only a remnant would survive, not because of the righteousness of the few but because of God’s righteousness. He was fulfilling His plan and keeping His promise to send a Lamb slain from before the foundation of the earth. God was offering real Hope. Those who put their trust in God would still suffer but their faith would sustain them. Their faith would point them, together with us, toward something much better. (Hebrews 11:40)
“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Isaiah 9:1-3, 5-7 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.9.1-7.NIV
Not all of God’s judgements are held back for the last days when Jesus returns to judge the nations, when sinners and saints will be sorted, when God will establish a new heaven and a new earth for all eternity. We have adopted an all or nothing mentality that too often puts off righteousness for later, forgetting that we do not know the day or hour of His return. We may also despair of evil in our world, asking with the psalmist for judgment against God’s enemies yet seeing evil continue to thrive. Persist, faithful brother. Stand firm, faithful sister. God is not mocked. His judgement will fall and woe to all who have not returned to Him.
We must never wish death and eternal separation from God even on our enemies. Jesus commanded us to forgive even as He forgives us and to pray for those who mistreat us. God’s temporal judgements are still occurring. There are still consequences in the here and now for acts of rebellion but as Peter wrote, it is not God’s will that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. The ultimate aim of God’s temporal judgments is still salvation. So what does repentance look like? Jesus told a story illustrating true repentance which also paints a beautiful portrait of the gracious mercy and love of God.
“There was a man who had two sons.
The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’
So he divided his property between them.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick!
Bring the best robe and put it on him.
Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it.
Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
So they began to celebrate.”
Let’s not forget that there were two brothers.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field.
When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
The older brother became angry and refused to go in.
So his father went out and pleaded with him.
But he answered his father, ‘Look!
All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.
Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
Luke 15:11-32 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.15.11-32.NIV
Recognizing the ultimate authority of Christ is acting in obedience to His commands and acknowledging Him before men. Boldness comes each time we stand in faith. If your knees are shaking and you’re fighting back tears, or if it takes every ounce of courage you can muster just to stand, you will find Him faithful.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/deu.33.27.NIV
“So put on all of God’s armor.
Evil days will come.
But you will be able to stand up to anything.
And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing.”
Ephesians 6:13 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/eph.6.13.NIRV
Here is Our King ~David Crowder Band https://youtu.be/XUjrbuQ4WOw?si=2S5KCfCTG2zH-kuS
Consuming Fire ~Third Day https://youtu.be/qguFZ7x9x_c?si=0OoVfH1MMc3wCa5t
Arise My Love ~Newsboys https://youtu.be/XKzH6l6TUJw?si=9AZzsTSXFR60QYIU
A Fitting Reply 