Warnings Ignored

I must confess that I like to watch “storm chasers” on TV.  These guys chase storms to study them to learn how to predict them in the future. It seems a bit crazy to go in the direction of the Tornado instead of taking shelter.  I’m convinced some chasers are there for the thrill and danger. When I hear a warning, I almost always pay attention.

God warned His people repeatedly and the warnings were ignored. He sent prophet after prophet to warn the people about abstaining from idol worship. Hosea goes beyond warning, and he is now telling them that captivity is coming, and that God is about to “drop the hammer”.  Check this out…

⁷ The time of Israel’s punishment has come;
    the day of payment is here.
    Soon Israel will know this all too well.
Because of your great sin and hostility,
    you say, “The prophets are crazy
    and the inspired men are fools!”
⁸ The prophet is a watchman over Israel for my God,
    yet traps are laid for him wherever he goes.
    He faces hostility even in the house of God.
⁹ The things my people do are as depraved
    as what they did in Gibeah long ago.
God will not forget.
    He will surely punish them for their sins. (Hosea 9:7-9 NLT)

After reading this today, I felt the deep need to thank the Lord for Jesus. God sent His Son so that grace is now in play. I would deserve the punishment that God deals out to His people, but Jesus came and took my sin and shame away. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life! (John 14:6 NLT) He ushered in God’s Grace, and I look spotless before the Lord.  Paul reminded us that we don’t sin so that we can get grace, but we still get grace when we sin.  There are still people who warn me that some of the choices I make can destroy me or hurt me deeply.

There are pastors and teachers who remind me that God still wants to the Director of my life. He wants my life to point to Him. He wants my actions and my words to harmonize for His Glory.

Pressing On!

Dwayne