Like an Enemy

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Like an Enemy

We should not feel sorry  for ourselves  as we suffer the consequences  of our sins.     Think of the Old Testament examples  of Saul,  Ahab,  and Esau,  who were only sorry  for the consequences  they suffered  for their sins.     They were not sorry  for having sinned  against the LORD God Almighty,  who created,  loves,  and sustains us.     They didn’t care that they had polluted  God’s holy name  in front of many people.

For that reason,  Jeremiah wrote  in Lamentations 2:5-7  regarding the consequences  of all Israel’s sins,

The Lord  has become like an enemy.
He has swallowed up  Israel;
He has swallowed up  all its palaces,
He has destroyed  its strongholds
And multiplied  in the daughter of Judah
Mourning and moaning.      

And He has violently treated  His tabernacle  like a garden booth;
He has destroyed  His appointed meeting place.      

The LORD has caused  to be forgotten
The appointed feast  and sabbath  in Zion,
And He has despised  king  and priest
In the indignation  of His anger.       

The Lord  has rejected  His altar,
He has abandoned  His sanctuary;
He has delivered  into the hand  of the enemy
The walls  of her palaces.      

It’s so easy  to only want  to only think about the love  of God.     Thinking about God’s judgment  makes a person uncomfortable.     Our guilt  causes us  to quickly think  of other things  that put us in a better light,  like the nice things  we occasionally do.

But,  as sinners,  we cannot fully appreciate  the love,  forgiveness  and salvation of God,  unless we fess up  to our utterly lost condition.     We are  without hope  in our sins,  until we lay  all our sins  on Jesus.      Jesus is the only one who can wash us clean  and make us whole.

Why did God  become  “like an enemy”  to Israel?      Why did God  cause Israel  to fall before her enemies?      Why,  oh why did God  allow His own temple  to be destroyed?      Even the Sabbath  and all the special feasts  became forgotten celebrations.

Unrepentant sin  was the problem then  as it is now.     So,  Jesus warns us  in Matthew 24:12,

Because lawlessness is increased,  most people’s love  will grow cold.

…and in John 14:15,

If you love Me,  you will  keep My commandments.

So,  Peter pleaded  in Acts 2:38,

Repent,  and each of you be baptized  in the name  of Jesus Christ  for the forgiveness  of your sins;  and you will receive  the gift  of the Holy Spirit.

That’s not the modern way  of preaching  —  but,  it is God’s desire  for our eternal welfare.

Glad for God’s faithful reminders,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     LORD,  we praise You  for washing away  all our sins  in Christ Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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