A Nation that has lost it way

Psalm 81:11-6

What a paradox Israel is in the timeline of King David and the United States today.  I'm not referring to technology or wealth, but at that time they were very wealthy because of the blessings of the Lord.  No, the paradox is found in verses 11-12, “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices."

Will you be honest, and I'm not writing to the non-follower of Christ, but to those who are His followers?  Do you watch TV, read the newspaper, listen to talk radio if so, you understand that we as a people and nation have lost our way?  

I also believe many teachers and pastors have forsaken their first love to chase the empty promise of wealth and what it provides.  If so your not the first, Paul tells us about Demas, and in the book of Philemon 1:24, he is referred to as a fellow-worker.  In Colossians 4:14, we find Demas sending a greeting to the Church along with Paul and Luke, but in 2 Timothy 4:10, "For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica."  What happened to Demas?  The same thing that has happened to many of us, we buy into "Channel One" that voice that sounds like us, and it tells us some truth, the Christian life is impossible.  Yes, that is true, it is impossible if you are doing it, you understand it's Christ's life living in you, and you listen, pray and obey.

When the Lord gives us over to our stubborn hearts, fear enters our hearts, greed and all kinds of ungodliness in thoughts and deeds.  That’s bad news, but we also find good news, no one has to live in that way, a child of the Father will find joy and peace.  You are bought with a price, by the blood of Jesus Christ, you're a member of God's family, living outside of your privilege as His child.  You have a promise in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 

Come back, the family misses you, you are needed to fill your place, and we love you and miss you.

What are you missing, the best life on planet earth, you must read the rest of the Chapter, verses 13-16, and those promises are for you?  “If my people would only listen to me.  if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.  But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice