June 28

“…The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon thee.” Ezekiel 32:11

In the narrative of Holy Scripture we find God’s involvement in the rise and fall of nations. Far from being the indifferent, remote and disinterested God that some would have Him to be, Yahwah is clearly close to the events of history that seem to have shaped the destiny of nations, peoples and civilizations. In these passages from the book of Ezekiel, we have the prophecies concerning the fall of Egypt, at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Though in due course Babylon too would find retribution for its violations and pride against the Almighty, at this time the great kingdom would be used as a tool to bring judgment upon the sin and idolatry of Egypt. Two things we must keep in mind as we read these passages. Firstly, the Lord is in authority over all and any kingdom of man, even those who by their laws show they have no regard or consideration of Him. As the Supreme Potentate, He is capable of using and directing the events, and the ultimate outcome of all human affairs, to suit and fit His own purpose and will, if He so chooses. In our modern world so aloof and self-sufficient in its technology and scientific advancements, little care or place is given to the power and majesty of God. He is not glorified in the dealings of the present nations of this world as a whole. Actually quite the opposite is true, most of the world’s powers and governments are antagonistic to God, His law and His ways. They promote immoral and sinful lifestyles which deny and defy God’s power and authority. They mock, decry and belittle the ways of the Almighty as old-fashioned, archaic, out of touch or inapplicable, mere myth. History has clearly shown that when God has had enough of man’s pride and foolish boasting, He will come in judgment and will make quick work of all man’s self-aggrandizing and self-glorification. Secondly, we must remember that the Lord is longsuffering and patient, and as believers, we must be like Him. Even when we might think that the wicked is ‘getting away with it’, and that nothing is happening to bring about justice and righteousness, we must remain patient and leave the timing and call of action to God. He has the knowledge and wisdom necessary to bring about justice in the right way and at the right time. His longsuffering is bound up in His love for mankind, for in spite of man’s sin and self-destructive nature, He is not willing that any should die, but desires that all should come to repentance. Nevertheless the time will come when He will close down the opportunity for mankind to choose His righteousness. Then will come the judgment, and like that which fell on Egypt and many other great nations, it will fall upon the whole world, it will be sudden and it will be final. It won’t be the power of one nation pitched against another at God’s bidding, but a judgment conducted by His own personal power and presence, for “..in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!” Our task is not to complain about the conditions of the world, worry about God’s timetable, or suggest what He should do, but to stay faithful and pure till the end; to continue to trust, love and believe in Jesus and His Word; and to reach out to as many as we can with the gospel of salvation while there is yet time!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

June 13

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” 2 Peter 2:9

Although it may not be always clear to us, God has ways of His own to keep and protect those who live a godly and righteous life unto Him. The evidence of scripture shows that the judgments of God are sure and appropriate for the unrighteous. Just as sure however, is the fact and ability Yahwah has to maintain and guard His own people, from the effects of His wrath. The example of Lot and the judgement of Sodom and Gomorrah occasioned this text by the apostle, and underscores the beautiful truth that there are no righteous casualties, no ‘collateral damage’ of believers, in God’s operations! The terminology ‘killed by friendly fire’ refers to the not so friendly event of a soldier being killed by gunfire from the side for which he is fighting. It highlights the reality of how as humans, we are limited in power and prone to errors. This can never happen with God! His power, knowledge and ability are unlimited and He doesn’t make mistakes! Only those whom He deems deserving of His judgment are included and no there are slip-ups with the Lord! Based on their obedience to follow His instructions, God kept Noah and his family from a global flood; Lot and those with him from the fire and brimstone which destroyed the cities about them; the Israelites in Egypt from the plagues He brought all around them on Egypt. He has demonstrated time and again that He is a righteous and just God and ‘knows’ how to protect the godly! It is true that God has also allowed the martyrdom of many righteous and godly saints, but this is always at the hand of some wicked person or another, never by His own doing. While He has the power to stop any hurt to his people or protect them from any power that may attack them, He ‘knows’ and has His ways and reasons for allowing what He does and doing things the way He does them. Our task is not to question God and try to work out His mind and wisdom, or foresee His plans, so much as to walk and live lives, which in His sight may be deemed godly and righteous. By keeping our hearts pure and our conduct holy before the Lord, we stand in the place of obedience and in the best position for deliverance. There is no safer place to be in, than being godly and in the hands of the loving Saviour, and no more terrifying condition to be in, than in sin and at variance with the Almighty and righteous Judge!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion