"When people go their own way ..."

Watching people imagine they are "free," when in reality they are in slavery to their own sinful, foolish, rebellious nature, is painful.  Having lived in the United States all my life and having experienced the many freedoms we enjoy ... freedoms that have been paid for by the blood of many and given to us by the grace of God ... I hate what is happening in our nation as people reject and ignore the truth God reveals in His Word and have nothing with which to replace it but their own ignorance and self-centered thinking.

The prophet, Jeremiah wrote the following during a time when God was bringing His severe judgment on the nation of Judah ...

"Thus says the Lord, 'Stand by the roads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'  But they said, 'We will NOT walk in it!' I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!'  But they said, 'We will NOT pay attention.'  Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.  Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.'"  (Jeremiah 6:16-19).

There is just no way around the fact that the sovereign God of the universe IS judging and MUST judge the United States of America.  In one sense it is a helpless feeling to sit back and watch as the Word of God and His righteous laws are rejected, even by many in the church in these days, yet it is also a call to stand firm on God's truth and to continue to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, pointing people to Jesus Christ.  This is the only place to find hope as you live in this world every day.

It would be far easier to "give up," to "throw in the towel," to let people go their own way ... but those of us who know God's grace in Jesus Christ understand that He has revealed His mercy and grace to us so that we may be His instruments to call others to Himself before the final judgment comes.  The "sound of the trumpet" was used to call people to worship and also to call the army to battle.  When the people of God gather together the trumpet must be sounded and those who have been given ears to hear will pay attention while the others will continue to go their own way. 

Are YOU listening?  Are you searching for the "ancient path," the good way, the only way to draw near to God ... through faith in Jesus Christ?  FAITH, for the true believer, is an action word!  Faith believes and faith motivates us to serve in the army of our King, Jesus Christ!!  The trumpet is being sounded!  We are engaged in the battle and we know victory will be ours.  We WILL overcome and Jesus  will reign over all the earth.  Let this be your hope today as you walk the narrow road that leads to life!!