2 Chronicles 24:19,20
Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to Him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, He has forsaken you.’”
They had forsaken the LORD and worshiped idols, rejecting the righteous One and serving idols and the sinful desires of their flesh. Yet the LORD’s initial response is beautiful. He offers them mercy and a way home. He does not start by sending plagues to wipe them out or armies to destroy them, but He sent prophets to preach truth and attempt to turn them back to Him! It was only after they rejected His mercy that they received His judgment, and the same can be said about us.
God offers us mercy through His Son, Jesus Christ, but if we reject that gift, then the only thing left for us is His judgment and the outpouring of His wrath. He does not open with wrath and punishment but opens with the most loving gesture ever, His Son crushed for our sins on the cross and raised to life again! This principle is true both for eternity and the here and now. Let me explain.
If I am struggling with a sin and God continually extends me mercy in the hopes that I will repent and return to Him, but I reject that mercy, then what will be extended to me after that? Punishment for that sin that escalates as I indulge in it. I may still be saved, but I will have to pay a price that the LORD never intended me to pay. Examples of that may be loss of friendships, loss of relationships, loss of passion, delay of purpose, and the list can go on and on.
So, both for eternity and now, let us return to Him and rest in His mercy, because there will be no rest in His judgment. He chose mercy over judgment for us, but will we?
Ephesians 2:3-5- All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
God bless! I love you all, but His love is greatest of all! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!
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