Humble and Repent
Isaiah 9:9-13 All the people will know it—Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria—who say with pride and arrogance of heart, “The bricks have fallen down, but we will replace with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” But the LORD has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand still upraised. But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD Almighty.
Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD.
Joel 2:13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.
Ezekiel 18:32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!
Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
It’s September 11, 2021 as I write this. Of course, for any of us onlder than 30, that is a pretty clear memory. There have been several of those horrifying days which have left an impression on me over the years; Kennedy’s assination, the Challenger explosion, but certainly 9/11 ranks as the most horrific and appalling to me.
And today, as that morning was, it is beautiful—the sky clear blue, the air cooler and drier than it has been running, and even without the memorials and television coverage, our minds go back to that day and what we were doing when we first heard, and those first initial reactions, which then turned to horror as we watched these attacks unfold.
And our God was there.
That gives me comfort. I pray that all those who were innocently slaughtered knew their Savior. I’m sure many who were trapped within those buildings, or on that plane which was heroically smashed into the earth killing all those on board–yet saving many more lives in DC–came to know Him in those instances before their deaths.
But for all of us who know our Lord, we always know we are not alone, and that no matter what He is with us. We may not like the outcomes always, but we will, with full belief, know we are spending eternity with Him.
It saddens me there is an arrogance that claims there is no God, and people choose not to believe. I can not wrap my mind around that fact. It feels alien to me to think about it. ‘What does happen then?’
Very soon after The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn was published, I was reading it. I have to admit, hearing the various poiliticians say “We will rebuild” to me was a way of banding us together, strengthening our country, increasing our flagging national pride, and I liked idea we would band together and be stronger; and rebuild. However, this book and others showed me a different way God could look at our country’s response by quoting Isaiah 9:10. God’s view to the Israelites was to be angry with their arrogance. HE, GOD, would help them rebuild, it would not be them without HIM.
I had not found those remarks immediately following that tragic day as arrogant. But, later, reading this novel from a strong Messianic rabbi, I could see perhaps it was correct. Cetainly, there are many in our country who live lives of arrogance, plenty and have made money, jobs, positions, possessions and so forth their god. Cahn’s presentation opened my eyes to perhaps while I felt those speeches were rallying, there may have been some undelying superiority and arrogance. I was glad to see a resurgence in national pride, as it seemed it was flagging and dismal, and there was an air of entitlement which seemed to be increasing to me then. (And certainly not denying, I think we tend to be more critical of the younger generations…..”Well, in my day..”) But for a time, those vicious attacks pulled us together to want to face the enemy, protect others.
God wants us living WITH HIM, following His will for our lives, teaching others about His words, His truths, and His ways. And seeking Him consistently and persistently is how we do that; not always standing on a bandwagon and not seeking His will and direction. I think this for many was a call to repentance, and to others a wake up that the need for Jesus, God Creator, and God the Spirit should be something we seek diligently and daily. Matthew 7:7 ASK ..”Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be open to you.” Of course, this is referring to finding Jesus and learning about Him, not finding your keys or a flashlight or your misplaced glasses.
We cannot do without Him leading and guiding. Or, we can, but many things may not come out right, may not come about smoothly, and may not stand for the long term.
I have no idea if Cahn’s presentation is correct. I just know it had me realizing we can be arrogant even when we think it is pride, it is national unity, and fighting ‘the bad guys’ the same we did as children watching black and white tv shows like The Lone Ranger, Rifleman and others. We like the idea of good guys beating the bad ones. And certainly it was bad ones who attacked that day.
I never want to experience anything so overwhelming again. I would love to see this country have a huge repentance and revival.
God, You have so blessed this country, and we have the freedom to read and learn and hear Your words, Your living words. We can study and delve deeper and learn more of who You are, and who You want us to become knowing You. I never want those blessings to be taken, and pray that soon, in the countries where You are banned, that that too will change, and all can experience You.
Thank You for always helping me and ‘mybellaviews.’
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