October 27
Jer 51:1-53 | PS 99:1-9 | Prov 26:17 | Titus 2:1-15
We read in Psalm 99:3,5,9, "Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy...Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His footstool-He is holy...Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy." We read these words, and we should do so soberly. For we need to stop looking around at our world as the world does, and see it as God does. We might love those around us: family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc., but even a casual awareness reveals that they don't exalt God, praise His name, or worship Him. In reality, most do not give Him a second thought during the day, or ever. These individuals do indeed worship, just not God. They may worship their children or grandchildren. They may worship a specific worldly cause. They may worship intellect or pleasure. Realize that these gods may not be named as such, but they nevertheless are their gods, and all around us, even those we love are guilty of worshiping other gods, not the One True God. As such, these loved ones, friends, etc. have set themselves up as God's enemies. Realize God only has friends and enemies, there is no neutrality when it comes to the things of God.
God is not gleeful when judgment is meted out. He is loving, but He is also just. We read His heart in Ezekiel 33:11, "Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’" But most have no desire to turn away, as they are in love with their god of their own choosing. Anyone who does not worship God is wicked, not good, just because they seem nice. So we get a glimpse of the reality of God's judgment in Jeremiah 53:20-23, "You are My battle-ax and weapons of war: For with you I will break the nations in pieces; With you I will destroy kingdoms; With you I will break in pieces horse and its rider; With you also I will break in pieces man and woman; With you I will break in pieces old and young; With you I will break in pieces the young man and the maiden; With you also I will break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; With you I will break in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; And with you I will break in pieces governors and rulers." Notice, all who do not worship God will suffer the same fate. We need to change how we see the world and all of those around us.
With this in mind, may we read soberly Paul's instructions in Titus 2:11-14, " For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Redemption and hope rests only in having a true relationship with Jesus Christ. We must all take a reality check and ask ourselves who it is that we worship. If it is our children or grandchildren, or for that matter, anything which might seem good, but not God, it is time to stop, repent, and turn our eyes onto the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, completely. God is not to be added into our pantheon of gods (even children). He is God, and He alone deserves our worship, praise, and hope, for He is holy.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: