Begging for Judgment

In world news lately there has been a ramping up of "rhetoric" and "provocation" between North Korea and the United Nations, spearheaded by the United States.  The script looks something like this:  North Korea fires a missile over Japan because of war games in the region.  President Trump threatens the offenders with "fire and fury."  Chairman Kim Jong Un makes inflammatory statements, claiming increased sanctions will only increase the push for nuclear weapons.  The United Nations slaps additional economic sanctions on North Korea.  North Korea then fires another missile over Japan.  And the cycle starts over - with no end in sight.

Despite the widespread international condemnation of these acts, these dangerous provocations continue.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have noticed another kind of provocation which goes largely unnoticed:  provocative deeds and proud words spoken against God.  To reject God's Word - adding or taking away from it - is a grave crime which arouses God's wrath.  A U.S. diplomat said recently the launching of missiles and rhetoric from North Korea is "begging for war."  North Korea aside, I am convinced the sins of people and nations is begging for judgment from God.  God is far more patient and longsuffering than any human court, but His justice is pure and absolute.  The anti-christ rhetoric and scorn of those who take a stand on the Word of God is like the verbal firing of missiles in opposition of God.  I don't believe any sensible person wants war, but judgment from God will surely come to all who remain stubbornly in sin.

Let us not delude ourselves to think the world is the source of problems Christians face, for the issue is sin in us.  Whilst God pronounced woe on heathen nations for their rejection of Him, God also spoke strongly against His own people who forsook His Laws and did according to other nations.  Here is a small sampling in Isaiah 5:20-25:  "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! ²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! ²² Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, ²³ who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man! ²⁴ Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. ²⁵ Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and stricken them, and the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still."

As children of God, we must submit to and seek to uphold the Word of God.  Currently many have been rocked by massive storms, political upheaval, and the voting survey concerning same-sex marriage in Australia have many people pointing fingers at others.  The problems we are facing in the world are profound and we have no means within us to change a single heart.  Our wisdom is incapable of opening blind eyes or releasing the captives of sin.  Thanks be to God He is able to help us and will quicken us to accomplish all things He intends to do.  Those who follow Jesus will suffer for this stand, but there is great consolation for all who trust and fix their eyes upon Him.  The vitriolic and swelling words against God call for justice, yet let us choose compassion, grace, and mercy.  We will not be deterred from loving people, even if we are crucified for our beliefs and convictions.  They might be for war yet may we speak peaceable words, warning others of the certain results of sin.  If we do not love people as God does, our warnings are better applied to ourselves.