Dangerous Results of Unfaithful Action

Acknowledging God

Follow in My Ways

Keep My Statutes and Ordinances

1 Kings 9:6-9 The Message

6-9 “But if you or your sons betray me, ignoring my guidance and judgments, taking up with alien gods by serving and worshiping them, then the guarantee is off: I’ll wipe Israel right off the map and repudiate this Temple I’ve just sanctified to honor my Name. And Israel will become nothing but a bad joke among the peoples of the world. And this Temple, splendid as it now is, will become an object of contempt; visitors will shake their heads, saying, ‘Whatever happened here? What’s the story behind these ruins?’ Then they’ll be told, ‘The people who used to live here betrayed their God, the very God who rescued their ancestors from Egypt; they took up with alien gods, worshiping and serving them. That’s what’s behind this God-visited devastation.’”

For Reflection

Hard Question:
Does God punish? Perhaps so. But if God punishes, God rarely (if ever) has done so without hope of blessings to follow--a path to reconciliation.  Many scholars of scripture call it God's chiding or course correction.

Much of the time, I think, God has just let those who sin suffer its natural consequence.  God chooses not to intervene but repeats God's overture to accept light over darkness. 

Pray

Pray so that you develop a more intimate relationship with God.  Pray so that your life choices result in the blessings that naturally follow your abiding love for God.

Forward to a friend