WE MUST NOT MISS the MESSAGE

WE MUST NOT MISS the MESSAGE
by David Wilkerson

Ministers and theologians everywhere are saying, "God has nothing
to do with disasters. He wouldn't allow awful things to happen."
Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. This kind of thinking
is causing our nation to rapidly miss the message God wants to
speak to us through tragedy.

The fact is, we have to have a word from God. Like many pastors,
I've wept and grieved over awful calamities. I've sought the Lord in
prayer and through His Word. And I want to tell you, I've experienced
a grief that's even deeper than the mourning for innocent people
dying. It's a grief that says if we miss God's message, if we turn
a deaf ear to what He is loudly proclaiming, then much worse is
in store for us.

The prophet Isaiah speaks directly to what we've experienced.
If you object to using the Old Testament for examples, consider
Paul's words on the subject: "All these things happened unto
them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon
whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11). Paul
makes it clear that the examples of the Old Testament reveal just
how God moves in times like ours.

At the time that Isaiah prophesied, God had been dealing patiently
with Israel for about 250 years. The Lord had sent "light afflictions"
upon His people, calling them to repentance. He was trying to
woo them out of their brazen idolatry and back into His blessing
and favor.

All the prophets throughout the years had spoken to Israel the
same essential word: "Humble yourselves." Scripture says,
"They served idols . . . yet the Lord testified against Israel, and
against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying,
Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and
my statutes" (2 Kings 17:12-13).

But God's chosen nation rejected His call to repentance. "They
would not hear, but hardened their necks" (17:14). These people
mocked the prophets who called them to humility. And, instead,
they "followed vanity, and became vain . . . and they left all the
commandments of the Lord their God . . . and sold themselves
to do evil in the sight of the Lord. . . . Therefore the Lord was
very angry with Israel" (2 Kings 17:15-18).

-Source-

http://sermons.worldchallenge.org/en/node/32942

© 2014 World Challenge, Inc
You are welcome to make copies for FREE distribution or
retransmit the devotional via e-mail, but all devotionals must be
copied or retransmitted in their entirety. However, devotionals
may not be posted on any website, printed, or used in any
media without written permission from World Challenge, Inc.
Each request is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please
contact World Challenge, Inc. using our online contact form or
by calling (903) 963-8626