November 24 Consequences

November 24

Consequences

2 Kings 7:17-19 Now the king had appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to have charge of the gate. And the people trampled him in the gate, so that he died, as the man of God had said when the king came down to him. 18 For when the man of God had said to the king, "Two seahs of barley shall be sold for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, about this time tomorrow in the gate of Samaria," 19 the captain had answered the man of God, "If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could such a thing be?" And he had said, "You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it." 20 And so it happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gate and he died.

Yesterday's Scripture was a picture of Heaven's eternal, glorious salvation of saved souls. This passage is a picture of eternal judgment and the death of unsaved souls. The captain had denied God's power. He had no faith to say such faith confessions as 2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!"  There stood the captain at Samaria's gate. He saw the empty Syrian camp full of plenty before him, but he could not go. God judged his unbelief, and he died.

          Too often we diminish the consequence of unbelief. Even worse, too many are taught there is no consequence to say, "I don't believe the Bible is true." We don't like to talk about judgment and condemnation. We find it more comfortable to refrain from telling the entire Bible's truth that clearly tells us God will judge sin. And God will save those who confess and call on his name.

          Yes, there is a difference. Otherwise, why would Jesus have come? Why the cross? Why, indeed, the Bible?

          How many people are told, but do not believe "the Lord himself should make windows in heaven" to save them? Countless millions of people have heard and denied the truth. What do we as believers as Jesus' disciples do?

          We keep telling the truth - the whole truth of sin, Savior and salvation. Then we rest on the Sovereign Lord to use the truth to save. Be urgent to tell. Be at peace to know you have proclaimed God's truth. Pray for the unbelieving in your life.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, may we keep your name holy to tell of our need for you and your grace to save souls from death. Grant our tongues the love to speak to the world 1 Corinthians 15:56 "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." In Jesus' name, amen.