July 21, 2019: SOAP #3517:  2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Scripture:  2Kings (NIV) 18:11 The king of Assyria deported Israel to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in towns of the Medes. 12 This happened because they had not obeyed the LORD their God but had violated his covenant—all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out.

Observation:   The king of Assyria had taken Israel as captives to Assyria.  In these verses, God gives the “because.”  There was a reason why this had happened to Israel.  Their captivity was directly in response to their relationship to the LORD their God!

Application:   When trouble comes, people often try to figure out why it happened.  I do not make it a habit to look for some sinister cause behind every trouble.  We live in a world full of evil.  Bad things happen to us all.  But there are times when trouble is BECAUSE.  When there is a reason, I want to know!  God forgives and He blesses those who please Him.

People who discipline their children want to make sure their children know WHY they are being disciplined.  One of the goals of discipline is to prevent future misbehavior.

Surely God, the Perfect Parent, will make sure a nation can link His discipline to the sin that displeases Him.  There is a “because.”  God has made it clear to me that the trouble at our southern border is His judgment BRCAUSE of the sin of abortion.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, help me quickly recognize when God is wanting me to make a change.  That you correct me, shows me that there is still something good in me that you are working on.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!