(reworked from 2010)
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
OBSERVATION: God had given Israel a history of His gracious works on their behalf, but they did not repent. God had sent prophets to speak to them, warning them of the results of their sin, but they did not repent. God had given them examples of how other nations had reaped the results of their sin, but they did not repent. And here a third of mankind will be killed, yet the remaining will still not repent!
What an amazing statement. I think even God is surprised. How powerful is evil that can hold onto a man, or a nation, even when it is obvious they should repent and call on God.
APPLICATION: God deals with me for my good and for His glory. What does it take to get me to repent?
When I see His goodness, I should be drawn to repent of any sin out of my love and appreciation for Him. When I see His judgment on the world around me, I should be quick to repent. When His hand of judgment comes to me, either because of the sin in the world in which I live or because of my own personal sin, I should be quick to repent.
Like Nehemiah (1:6-7) I should pray as though the sins of the nation were my own. And like the prophet Habakkuk (3:2) I can pray, “in wrath remember mercy.” Because of His great love, God is quick to forgive and be merciful.
PRAYER: Lord, I want to be quick to repent! I acknowledge that your judgments are always right, yet I ask you to be quick to show mercy. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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