Good morning! Today is Tuesday, September 13th! This morning I am speaking at the Oregon Agricultural Prayer Breakfast, where thousands of farmers, ranchers, and loggers, gather each year to fellowship, worship, and PRAY. They pray for our nation, revival, the upcoming fall harvest, and that the Lord of the Harvest would be honored and glorified! This wonderful group of hard-working people reminds me that God is the provider of all. He allows the rain to fall... on the just and the unjust alike. But why do the unjust refuse to turn to God even while enjoying the gifts of His grace? Read on…
Today's Reading:
Ezekiel 33,34,35; Revelation 18
Scripture
“‘As I live,’ declares the Lord, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from this way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:11)
Observation
God’s strongest desire is not the removal and destruction of the wicked but rather for their repentance. Over and over again, throughout His Word, He warns people to repent and turn from their wicked ways. But why are people so wicked and angry?
Application
We have contentious people around us, and when they move (or vaporize), we think, “O, the joy that fills my soul!” But God tells us that this is not His highest intention. God gets much greater glory when a sinner repents and turns to Him. He is glorified when an unruly staff person changes instead of being dismissed; when liberals turn to Christ … not to conservatism, but Christ. He is pleased when conservatives turn to Christ … not to a political party or patriotism, but to Christ alone.
I have often seen that the problems a person is causing can be because of deep and painful anger against themselves and their own life. They then take it out on others around them who remind them of their pain or prompt them to take responsibility to seek healing. But often, they are unwilling to resolve that pain. Instead, they’d rather be angry, and the projection of blame helps them tolerate their pain. However, it was precisely that kind of behavior that put them in a personal prison in the first place.
Prayer
Lord, help me not to be discouraged when I encounter these people. Help me to see past their behavior and realize they may be unhappy and unhealthy on the inside. Remind me to pray for the Prince of Peace to reach their hearts and release them from their personal prisons so they will be free to follow You! And help me practice patience and exude more grace …. because it may very well have been You answering my prayer for patience - with that difficult person I came across today!
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