Week 32 Devotions

August 6 - - The Lord told the prophet, Jeremiah, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world” (Jeremiah 1:5). God’s truth is persuasive. Jesus said that if we know God’s truth, His truth would set us free (John 8:32). And because God’s truth is so persuasive, God’s truth is also very powerful. The messages God told Jeremiah to share with the people of Judah got him in trouble, time after time. God’s people simply didn’t want to hear about impending destruction, or God’s judgment which would soon be visited upon them because of their sinful stubbornness. And even if Jeremiah had not wanted to share God’s messages of impending doom just to protect his own life from the anger of the people, he couldn’t bring himself to remain silent. “If I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am weary of holding it in!” (20:9). Soon after, Judah was conquered by Babylon. And many of the Jews were transported to Babylon, including four young men named Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know the latter three by their Babylonian names; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 1:6&7). God gave these four “an unusual aptitude for learning the literature and science of the time. And God gave Daniel special ability in understanding the meanings of visions and dreams” (1:17). When asked for advice, they shared what the Lord laid on their hearts and for a time, the king “found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom” (1:20). But, we know the rest of the story. In time, what God would inspire these four individuals to share would not coincide with what the King of Babylon or his people wanted to hear. And then, they would have the same choice as Jeremiah whether to share what God was saying and be ridiculed and persecuted, or remain silent and be popular with the king and the people. It’s not really much different for us today. When we find ourselves armed with the truth of God’s Word and we find God’s truth coming in conflict with Satan’s lies that are often promoted through people of this world, we, too, find ourselves with a choice. Do we remain quiet and not upset the powers to be? Or, do we open our mouths and be faithful to God while also experiencing the wrath of human beings? We are no where required to be mean with the truth. We are commanded to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). May God grant us all the grace to do exactly that, whatever the consequences to ourselves. August 9 - - Why does it sometimes seem like evil people flourish without punishment? Why do those who harm others seem like they suffer no consequences for their wrongdoing? Jeremiah asked that question and God’s answer was that it only seemed that way because of how evil His people had been. God is patient far beyond what any of us can comprehend and far beyond what any of us deserve (II Peter 3:9). The patience demonstrated by God toward those who are evil, is the same patience God demonstrates toward His own people who are evil. And at some point, God uses those who don’t know Him, to bring about punishment upon those who profess to know Him but show by their actions they really don’t. “I have abandoned my people, my special possession. I have surrendered my dearest ones to their enemies” (Jeremiah 12:7). “How will you feel when the Lord sets your foreign allies over you as rulers?....You may ask yourself, ‘Why is all this happening to me?’ It is because of your many sins! That is why you have been raped and destroyed by invading armies. Can an Ethiopian change the color of his skin? Can a leopard take away it’s spots? Neither can you start doing good, for you always do evil” (13:21-23). The worst offenders seem to be God’s prophets who were telling God’s people lies and things that were not true. Instead of warning the people to repent and turn from their wicked ways or be punished, as Jeremiah was doing, all the other prophets were telling the people lies in God’s name. They were saying that all was well, that God would send His people peace (14:13-16). To the people of Jerusalem, God said, “You have forsaken me and turned your back on me. Therefore, I will raise my clenched fists to destroy you. I am tired of always giving you another chance” (15:5&6). Ask the people of Noah’s day, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. God’s patience can and will come to an end, and will give way to God’s wrath. What’s even more amazing is those of us who have seen these many examples and we still refuse to learn from them (Romans 15:4). We still insist on making the same mistakes as our ancestors. We still think we know better how to live than does God. And consequently, we still receive the same consequences for our disobedience they did. God has called us from the moral darkness we once lived in, to His wonderful light for a reason (I Peter 2:9), so that we might declare His praises. God says to us the same thing He said to Jeremiah, “If you speak words that are worthy, you will be my spokesman. You are to influence them; do not let them influence you!” (15:19). Darkness always seems to corrupt good people much quicker than good people positively influence those living in the dark. That is why God warned the apostle Paul to be wary of who we spend the bulk of our time with. “Bad company will ruin good morals” (I Corinthians 15:33). Stand firm in the truth. Don’t waver or follow the crowd. “The highway to hell is broad, and it’s gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13&14). Determine to influence others for the Lord, rather than being influenced by others to run from the Lord. Commit yourself to letting your light shine for Him, rather than having His light be extinguished in you.

Week 31 Devotions

July 30 - - How frustrated God must get when He sees how we stubbornly persist in our sinful habits, completely oblivious to His demonstrations of love and forgiveness. The apostle Paul describes in the New Testament how bad people can become. “They refuse to acknowledge God, so He abandons them to their evil minds and lets them do things that should never be done....They are fully aware of God’s death penalty for those who do these things, yet they go right ahead and do them anyway. And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too” (Romans 1:28,32). Paul goes on to say that those who claim to love God are often no better than those who don’t. “You may be saying, ‘What terrible people you have been talking about!’ But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse!.....Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing these bad things and not judge you when you do them, too? Don’t you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, you won’t listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sins” (Romans 2:1,3-5). Why is it we see the wrongs others do, but are blind to our own? Why is the obvious so hard for us to admit? In the Old Testament, God labels our sinful rebellion and our constant wandering from His love in pursuit of idols and gods that can never respond to us, as adultery. “You are like a restless female camel, desperate for a male! You are like a wild donkey, sniffing the wind at mating time. Who can restrain your lust? Those who desire you do not even need to search, for you come running to them! Why do you refuse to turn from all this running after other gods? But you say, ‘Don’t waste your breath. I have fallen in love with these foreign gods, and I can’t stop loving them now!’” ((Jeremiah 2:23-25). In spite of our unfaithfulness to Him, our God is faithful to us. In our search for happiness, in our desire to find intimacy, we turn to every source but the One who will not force Himself upon us, the One who proves His love over and over, and the One who longs to be in relationship with us. The Lord beckons to each of us, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts” (Jer.3:22). When we have exhausted ourselves in our selfish pursuit of fulfillment, when we have wasted away our dignity by chasing lies, the truth still remains, “only in the Lord our God will we ever find salvation” (Jer.3:23). Like the parable of the prodigal son, there reaches a point in our desperation that we finally see the truth for what it is. May we turn to the Lord now, and in doing so, experience the many blessings He has promised those who love Him and are faithful to Him. August 2 - - “How long must the wicked be allowed to live, and in many cases, even thrive?” That is a question we have probably all asked ourselves and/or God, at some time. It is also a question the prophet, Habakkuk asked of God. God had put up with the wickedness, the idolatry, and the unfaithfulness of the Israelites a long time, much longer than any of us would have. The Lord’s reply to Habakkuk? “Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if some-one told you about it” (Habakkuk 1:5). God was going to use the evil Babylonians as an instrument of punishment to the Israelites. To be sure, the Babylonians would think they were conquering the Israelites for the same reason they conquered so many other nations before, because their military was so superior. But, God assured the prophet, the Babylonians would eventually be defeated because of their own sins. We can look back over history and see how God fulfilled both of these events. The Israelites were eventually conquered by the Babylonians and the Babylonians were eventually conquered by the Persians. God’s ways are not always in accordance with how we would do something because God’s thoughts are quite higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8&9). We see the world as though looking at a poor reflection in a mirror (I Corinthians 13:12). Because God sees all and God knows all, and because God sees the past and the future as though they were the present, His ways of doing things rarely match how we would do them. But, His ways are always the right ways, and the just ways. Faith is simply trusting God, no matter what happens in our own lives individually, or what happens all around us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5&6). You see, “the time will come when all the earth will be filled, as the waters fill the sea, with an awesomeness of the glory of the Lord” (Habakkuk 2:14). There will come a day when the wrong will be made right, and the righteous will be rewarded. In the meantime, we would be wise to simply trust the Lord and obey Him.

Week 30 Devotions

July 23 - - Human beings were made to worship. The One who brought us into existence, has also created us to long for something and/or someone beyond ourselves (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Whether it is a gene or a chromosome; or whether it is an emotion or a feeling; there is an awareness inside all of us that knows there is something and/or someone greater outside ourselves. Unfortunately, we often reduce this Creator to an idol that we can see and touch. Humans create a thing to represent a god that first of all, does not exist. And then, these idols are nothing more than inanimate objects. What idol has ever talked to us? What idol has ever answered our prayers? What idol has ever told us where we came from? Or, where we are going to? Though we cannot see our God, or reach out and touch Him, the evidence of His existence is all around us. When we grow tired, “He offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted....But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength” (Isaiah 40:28-31). When we are tempted to be afraid, He promises, “I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:1-3a). Our God assures us, “You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and (there) never will be. I am the Lord, and there is no other Savior ......” He tells us, “From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions” (Isaiah 43:10-13). Why do insist on reducing that which we worship to something/someone we can under-stand? Why are we content to put our trust in something we have made with our own hands? What possible comfort can come from something that cannot even communicate? The God we worship has accurately predicted events long before they occurred. Our God has made promise after promise to us and kept everyone of them. And yet, we still stubbornly refuse to put our faith and our trust in Him! Those wise enough to acknowledge Him, find truth. Those humble enough to trust Him, find assurance. I know for sure where I am putting my trust. How about you? July 26 - - “My thoughts are completely different from yours,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8&9). For centuries, the Jewish people looked forward to the day when a military messiah would liberate them from their enemies. What they longed for was an army general whose genius would lead them to victory over those who had become smug in their oppression of God’s chosen people. But, God’s ways of doing things don’t always match what we think God should do. God’s methods sometimes seem mad to us, but God sees the bigger picture. God knows where every chess piece on the game board of life is located and God knows where and when they should be moved. Approximately, 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, God revealed the kind of Messiah He would send and what that Messiah would accomplish. “There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him... He was despised, and we did not care......he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all......From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins - - that he was suffering their punishment? He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal....it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and fill him with grief....And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins” (Isaiah 53:2-11). What God’s chosen Messiah was establishing was a spiritual kingdom and not a physical kingdom. Jesus did not say God’s kingdom would have borders. Quite the opposite. “One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, ‘When will the kingdom of God come?’ Jesus replied, ‘The Kingdom of God isn’t ushered in with visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is among you’” (Luke 17:20&21). God’s kingdom would not consist of those who lived in a certain place, pledged allegiance to a certain flag, and paid homage to a certain king. God’s kingdom would consist of people living all over the world, who swear allegiance to the suffering servant Isaiah prophesied about 700 years earlier, Jesus Christ. The kingdom of God would exist inside of people, those who know Jesus Christ as their personal savior and are filled with God’s Holy Spirit. Many in the Jewish community are still waiting for the Messiah to come because Jesus did not fit the description they were looking for. What about you?

Week 29 Devotions

July 16 - - Because of his pride, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon learned a difficult lesson from the Lord, “God is able to humble those who are proud” (Daniel 4:37). King Asa of Judah learned the same lesson. The King had been told, “the eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (II Chron.16:9). But, in his stuborn-ness, Asa still refused to turn to the Lord. And when he developed a serious foot disease that eventually took his life, he sought help from medical doctors, but not the Lord (II Chronicles 16:11-14). Shebna was a palace administrator who was enamored with his position, wealth, and power. Eliakim was a humble man who recognized that only God was worthy of honor and praise. Consequently, God humbled Shebna by removing him from his position and disgracing him, and then God elevated Eliakim by promoting him to palace administrator (Isa.22:15-25). What is true of individuals, is also true of nations. When a nation ignores God, God will eventually humble that nation (Deuteronomy 28:15-62). When a nation honors God, God will bless that nation (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 33:12). “Destruction is certain for the land of Ethiopia” (Isaiah 18:1). “In that day the Egyptians will be as weak as women. They will cower in fear beneath the upraised fist of the Lord Almighty” (Isa.19:16). “This message came to me concerning the land of Babylonia: Disaster is roaring down on you from the desert, like a whirl-wind sweeping in from the Negev” (Isa.21:1). “This message came to me concerning Arabia: ‘within a year,’ says the Lord, ‘all the glory of Kedar will come to an end.’” (Isa.21:13,16). “Who has brought this disaster on Tyre, empire builder and chief trader of the world? The Lord Almighty has done it to destroy your pride and show His contempt for all human greatness” (Isa. 23:8&9). On the other hand, when nations turn to the Lord, those nations discover God’s blessings. “the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and He will listen to their pleas and heal them......For the Lord Almighty will say, ‘Blessed be Egypt, my people” (Isa.19:22& 23). Will we be wise, follow the Lord, and receive His blessings? Or, will we be foolish, ignore the Lord, and receive His punishment? July 19 - - What is life without hope? Once Satan has convinced someone that his lies to them are true and they don’t see their situation as ever changing for the better, they lose their incentive to continue battling their obstacles. A life without hope, is a life that has lost it’s reason to live. In the midst of our deepest valleys, we all need to believe that darkness will not forever dominate our lives. While the Bible sometimes paints a rather bleak picture as people sink farther into the muddy consequences of their selfish existence, the Bible also paints the picture of our lives with the hope that, “we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loves us” (Romans 8:37). We firmly believe that God is in complete control and God knows what He is doing. God inspired the prophets to remind us, that the day is coming when “a main road will go through that once deserted land.....It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.....Sorrow and mourning will disappear....” (Isaiah 35:8-10). Yes, “in the last days, the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship” (Micah 4:1) “Everyone will live quietly in their homes in peace and prosperity, for there will be nothing to fear” (4:4). A ruler would be born in Bethlehem. “He will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace” (5:2-5). Paul writes in the New Testament, the things written in the Old Testament, “were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises” (Romans 15:4). So, as we read of God’s promises and God’s predictions to His people of what they could place their future hope in, and as we look back and see God fulfilling His promises to His people, we can take comfort in knowing that the God who was faithful in fulfilling their hope is the same God who will be faithful in fulfilling our hope. Therefore, “we can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - - they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us.....” (Romans 5:3-5).

Week 28 Devotions

July 9 - - “How soon we forget.” How many times have you heard people say that? How many times have you said it? The fact is, we all have a problem with our memories, so don’t be too critical and don’t be too hard on yourself. And even though God has blessed us with minds that can compete with even the most complex of computers, we still demonstrate an incomprehensible ability to forget even the simplest of details. Prior to entering into the Promised Land, Moses spent a great deal of time reminding God’s people of the many, marvelous miracles God had performed in their lives. “Be careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren” (Deuteronomy 4:9). That theme is repeated throughout scripture. “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness. Let the whole world know what He has done. Sing to Him; yes, sing His praises. Tell everyone about His miracles” (Psalm 105:1&2). “Think of the wonderful works God has done, the miracles and the judgments He has handed down” (105:5). Unfortunately, “our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord’s miracles. They soon forgot His many acts of kindness to them.....how quickly they forgot what He had done!” (105:7,13). Miracles take place around us every day. Unfortunately, like some of the Israelites, we do not seem to be impressed by what the Lord is doing. Maybe, we don’t see His miracles. Maybe, we attribute His miracles to medicine, science, or fate. But, like our spiritual ancestors, we need to open our eyes. We need to remember what God has done. And, we need to share God’s miracles with our children and grandchildren. Why? Because if we don’t, not only will we forget, but so will our descendants. And history has proven the horrible consequences that come to those who forget God’s miracles in their lives. July 12 - - The Hebrew writer tells us, “the Word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are” (4:12). How can that be? How can the Word of God be as relevant for us today as it was for those who first read it many centuries ago? How is it possible that the Word of God knows me so well and when someone uses God’s Word or quotes from God’s Word, it often seems as though they are speaking directly to me? It’s because “nothing in all creation can hide from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done” (4:13). We need to understand that God’s Word is not a collect-ion of writings from the mind of man. Peter says, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God” (II Peter 1:20& 21). The God who sees all and knows all, is the same God who inspired human beings to record His infinite wisdom so that we might find true life by following His Word, which is His will. The individual who was inspired by God to write what we know of as Psalm 139, spent 176 verses reaffirming the importance of God’s Word. This is the longest chapter by far, in the entire Bible. Listen to the many things the author says about God’s Word. “Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord” (vs.1). “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!” (vs.5). “How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following it’s rules” (vs.9) “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (vs.11). “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law. I am but a foreigner here on earth; I need the guidance of your commands” (vss.18&19). “Your laws are all I want in life” (vs.39). “Your law is more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver!” (vs.72). “I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health” (vs.93). “Your word is my only source of hope” (vs.114). “Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much” (vs.140). “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble” (vs.165). Jesus Christ said of himself, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). He also said, “you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). Love the Word of God. Read the Word of God. Memorize the Word of God. Live by the Word of God, and the Word of God will be the lamp and the light that helps you successfully navigate your journey through life (vs.105).

Week 27 Devotions

July 2 - - As we have been reading about the various kings of Judah, Israel, and other nations, it is obvious that the direction of a whole kingdom of people is largely determined by the moral compass of it’s leader or leaders. “When the wicked are in authority, sin increases” (Proverbs 29:16). “When there is moral rot within a nation, it’s government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability” (28:2). Paul writes in the New Testament, “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God” (Romans 13:1&2). Ideally, governments exist to help protect moral order for it’s citizens. And moral order can only exist when government’s laws are based on God’s laws. If individuals within a society are disobeying God’s laws, then government has the moral responsibility and authority to punish those doing wrong (Rom.13:3-7; I Peter 2:13-17). On the other hand, a Christian has no moral obligation to obey government’s laws that directly conflict with God’s laws (Acts 4:19-22; 5:26-33). But, God has demonstrated His ability to use both good governments and bad governments in ultimately accomplishing His plans (Isa.14:26&27). Christians are to pray for those in authority in government, that God would give them wisdom in establishing and enforcing His laws (I Timothy 2:2). Why? “So that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.” Christians should also pray that godly people be in positions of leadership in government. Why? Because if godly people are not in positions of leadership within government, a nation of people will not live in “peace and quietness.” The writer of Proverbs reminds us, “When the godly succeed, everyone is glad. When the wicked take charge, people go into hiding” (28:12). “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan” (29:2). With God on our side and with prayer at our disposal, we are responsible for the kind of government that will lead us, and the kind of nation we will be. If we are content to let the wicked rule, we have no right to complain. If we desire the godly to rule, then we must pray for those in present and future authority over us. And we must do what is necessary to see that God’s laws are what we are governed by and not man’s laws. For scripture reminds us that God will bless that nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). What type of government do you want leading you? What are you doing to establish such a government? July 5 - - No matter how nice the house is that we live in or the number of houses we may own; no matter how intelligent we may be or the degrees behind our name; no matter how famous we may be or the number of famous people we call our friend; death is an unbiased equalizer. Solomon says, “none of us has the power to prevent the day of our death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). The Psalmist assures us that no one has sufficient enough riches to escape the grave (Psalm 49:6-9). Our wisdom and our careful planning cannot prevent us from escaping the same fate which visits us all (49:10&11). Because this is true, Solomon went so far as to conclude, “it is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time” (Ecc.7:2). Funerals help us reflect on how we want to end this race we call life. Jerusalem is often equated with heaven. “So he took me in the spirit to a great, high mountain and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It was filled with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious gem, crystal clear like jasper” (Revelation 22:10&11; Isaiah 60:1&2,19). The Psalmist says, “Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem” (84:5). In other words, those who “set their sights on the realities of heaven,” who “do not think only about things down on earth,” who “let heaven fill their thoughts” (Colossians 3:1&2); those who “place their hope in the resurrection to a better life” (Hebrews 11:35), and those who “look ahead to the great reward God will give them” (Heb.11:26) will discover when they physically die, an existence that “no eye has ever seen here on earth, no ear has ever heard, and no mind can even begin to compre-hend” (I Corinthians 2:9). “A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!” (Psalm 84:10). Far better to be a gatekeeper in the house of God than possess financial riches in the house of the wicked. God will not withhold anything good from those who love Him and do what is right (84:11). We should all long for that day when the Lord says, “this one has become a citizen of Jerusalem” (87:6). So, what are you doing right now to plan for that day? What steps are you taking and decisions are you making to someday see the new Jerusalem? We would be wise to think about such things because death does come to us all.

Week 26 Devotions

June 25 - - It is amazing how many times when we are not happy, that we blame others for our discontent and look outside ourselves to find that happiness. King Ahaz of Judah was an evil king. Not only had Ahaz been unfaithful to the Lord, but he also encouraged the people whom he ruled to sin, as well (II Chronicles 28:19; Romans 1:32). And instead of looking within himself and repenting for his non-existent relationship with the Lord, Ahaz assumed there must be other gods more powerful than the God. “Why, look at the success that King Tiglath-pileser of Assyria has had against us and others! Why not worship his gods instead of our God?” (II Kings 16:10-18; II Chron.28:22-25). How many times have husbands or wives become dissatisfied with their spouses and instead of looking within themselves to see how they might need to change, had an affair with someone else who temporarily made them feel better? For that reason, God told Hosea to marry a prostitute. “Some of her children will be born to you from other men. This will illustrate the way my people have been untrue to me, openly committing adultery against the Lord by worshipping other gods” (Hosea 1:1&2). Gomer was the wife of Hosea. Her first child was Hosea’s (1:3). No mention is made of the father of Gomer’s next child, which leads us to wonder if even Gomer knew who the father was (1:6). There was no doubt that the third child Gomer gave birth to, was not Hosea’s (1:8-10). Only by placing ourselves in Hosea’s position and imagining what he must have felt like when his wife kept whoring around, can we even remotely imagine what God feels when we abandon Him for some other god, some other lover, something or someone else to fill the void in our hearts that only He can. Only God can save us (Isaiah 17:10). We would be wise to imitate the example of King Hezekiah of Judah. “There was never another king like him in the land of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses. So the Lord was with him, and Hezekiah was successful in everything he did” (II Kings 18:5-7). Hezekiah’s predecessors, peers, and successors were afraid of the king of Assyria and found them-selves oppressed by the many pagan nations around them because of their love affair with these pagan nation’s gods. But, because of his love affair with the One, True God, King Hezekiah successfully revolted against the king of Assyria and refused to pay him tribute. King Hezekiah conquered the Philistines and more (II Kings 18:5-7). Why would we leave our first love for someone else that only seems more attractive in the moment? And why would we forsake our love of God for other pagan idols that can really give us nothing? Consider your answer the next time you are tempted to commit adultery against God by committing sin. June 28 - - The debate between Christians over whether consuming alcohol is a sin or not, has been going on for centuries. One thing is for sure, drunkenness is never permitted in scripture. “Don’t let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31&32). “Destruction is certain for the city of Samaria - - the pride and joy of the drunkards of Israel.... Destruction is certain for that city - - the pride of a people brought low by wine.... The proud city of Samaria - - the pride and joy of the drunkards of Israel.......Israel is being led by drunks” (Isaiah 28:1-3,7; see also Isa.5:11,22). No matter how many prophets God sent to Judah and Israel; no matter how many times God pleaded with Judah and Israel to turn from their wicked ways; and no matter how many times Judah and Israel were warned what would happen should they not repent, they persisted in their evil and ignored the pleas of a loving and graceful God. “They refused to listen to the Lord their God” (II Kings 18:12). Both would be defeated by their enemies and eventually many of their people were deported to other lands. Israel was the first to fall (II Kings 17:23; 18:11). The King of Assyria transported many Israelites to other lands and brought many foreigners to live in Israel. It was a common method for victorious kings in crushing the nationalistic pride of their defeated foes. But still, God pleads. “Give up your wicked ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Fight for the rights of widows.....No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool. If you will only obey me and let me help you.....” (Isaiah 1:16-20). How blessed we all are to have a God whose love for each of us, and whose love for all of us; is wider, higher, deeper, and longer than any of us can comprehend, or any of us deserves (Ephesians 3:17-19).