Today’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 39:11-18; Jeremiah 40:1-6; 2 Kings 25:8-21; Jeremiah 52:12-27; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Lamentations 1:1-22
My husband Harry has often said that he believes God instituted parenting so that we could understand His heart. When we see our Heavenly Father through the lens of a parent, our parent, His Word and His ways are overflowing with love, mercy, and kindness.
From the first day I found out I was pregnant with my first child until this very moment my desire for my children has always been to lead them to Christ and to protect them from the tough things in life. I want to teach them every lesson I’ve learned so they don’t have to make the same mistakes.
My love for my children pales in comparison to the way our Heavenly Father loves us. My life experience and knowledge of the world is like looking at life through a pinhole compared to the knowledge of our God, who simultaneously sees, knows, and understands the past, present, and the future.
But in the same way my children some times go their own way and do their own thing, we ignore the warnings of our Heavenly Father and choose our own way instead of following the One who divinely knows best.
Can you hear God’s parental side coming out in 2 Chronicles 36:15-16?
The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord’s anger could no longer be restrained and nothing could be done.
“Mocked these messengers of God and despised their words…”
Sometimes the only way we will learn is to be forced to live with the consequences. This goes for all of the human race not just children. I wonder if our God is saying to Himself (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and maybe even the angels…
“I have provided the people of the 21st century with my guidebook to victorious living on this earth, the Bible. I love them so much I’ve recorded my words to warn them of the pitfalls of this earthly life and to teach them how to be Jesus to the world. But my people insult me; they don’t even know what my Word says. Ignorance of my Word is no excuse for disobedience.”
In last night’s message, Kraig Krempa, executive pastor at Niceville Assembly said, “What we read is how we’re supposed to live, but by-in-large the church doesn’t read the Bible.”
When we as Christians stand before God, we won’t be able to blame parents, teachers, authors or pastors for their misinterpretations or our lack of knowledge of God’s Word; it’s our responsibility to know Him through His Word. But the mercy of the Lord is amazing; He sent the Holy Spirit to be our interpreter, IF we open the Bible and spend time with Him, He will teach us!
Ignorance certainly won’t be blissful the day we stand before our God!
Heavenly Father, Your Word is life to us! Being ignorant of Your Word is a tool that Satan has used since the Garden of Eden. Help us to resist this enemy whose number one goal is to keep us from Knowing You. Holy Spirit, draw us to your Word, teach us your ways, make us like You and use us for Your Glory!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
© 2012 Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Lamentations 2:1 through Lamentations 4:22
