04
On their merry way
Jeff WeinkaufRevelation 9:20-21
20-21 The remaining men and women who weren’t killed by these weapons went on their merry way—didn’t change their way of life, didn’t quit worshiping demons, didn’t quit centering their lives around lumps of gold and silver and brass, hunks of stone and wood that couldn’t see or hear or move. There wasn’t a sign of a change of heart. They plunged right on in their murderous, occult, promiscuous, and thieving ways.
This section of life journal reading always challenges me. Ezekiel and Revelation. Heavy stuff. I'm grateful though that as I press through, God is faithful to reveal gems of wisdom. Not the same ones every time either! He continues to expand my understanding as I sit at His feet and ask for help. I'm thankful for that.
In the previous sections of chapter 9, a rather bleak picture is given of destruction and judgment. All of it measured out justly, all of it earned by the recipients. What caught my attention this morning though was the follow up. "The remaining men and women who weren't killed by these weapons went on their merry way--didn't change..."
What? That's just crazy! These are people who personally experienced the heavy hand of judgement, came out the other side with something of a second chance and...just kept on going in the wrong direction. Who DOES that?
Well, if we're honest...we all do. If our hearts are not in check, if our compass is not pointing true north we have a tendency to make a choice for own comfort. When we're experiencing pain we seek to dull it. Many times with things that are unhealthy, and not Gods best for us. Today's reading is a rather extreme case of that principle played out. God has made a huge statement to humanity, and the remaining souls have chosen to ignore it rather profoundly.
I'm remembering the song that starts out "your kindness, leads me to repentance", We're lead, but then we have to choose. God will not force us.
When by Gods grace and mercy I'm given a second chance, I want to own it to the point that my repentance is obvious. No slow fades, or gentle turns. I want to respond with a sharp reverse in direction.
God your kindness leads me, I choose you and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to change. Amen.
