Finally, the LORD had enough. Israel had plunged so deeply into the idolatry that God had forbidden that there was no rescue. God removed them from his sight. He used Assyria to do so. In so doing, he revealed how he works to bring about judgment during this era. The paganism that the Israelites sought after was their undoing.
So, today, our generation is drinking, doping, smoking and illicit sexing itself to death. God need not visit us with another plague — like the COVID-19 pandemic. We are killing ourselves. The protective hand of God keeps us alive, until even he says “enough.” Then he removes his protection.
If we dare to step up and be a voice for God, we can stop this march to destruction. It will take the courage to stand up for what is right when the march is going in the other direction. If we do nothing, nothing will get done. The march to destruction will reach its destination.
Jesus taught that choosing the way of the righteous is going to be more difficult than choosing the way of the wicked (Matthew 7:13-14). The gate into the way of righteous is narrow. It is restricted. The way of the righteous is a difficult road, and there will be few who find it. Jesus also compared the ultimate results of choosing the way of the righteous with the ultimate results of choosing the way of the wicked. When all is said and done, those who choose the path of the righteous will have life — because that road leads to life. But those who choose the path of the wicked will be destroyed — because that road leads to destruction.
LORD, open our eyes to what we are doing to ourselves, before it is too late to repent.
Jefferson Vann
Extended Scripture: 2 Kings 17–19
