Judges 2:13-14 "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. (14) And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies."
My first words today are these: I do not enjoy writing the things on my heart
this morning, but I feel they need to be said.
It only took one generation to forget all that God had done for the people.
What took place in the day of the Judges is happening right now in our own
land. It grieves my heart to see how so many people are being duped into
believing evil is good and good is evil. I say that and yet God warned this
would happen. When the goodness of God is replaced with the dollar bill,
or any other thing, evil has an opening to move into that void. The
people "forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth." They turned
away from the true liberty that is only found in the Lord and allowed
themselves to be mastered by idols. Idols have no will nor ability. Idols have
no morals nor lack of morals. Idols are simply objects made by men. Let me
repeat that - idols are objects made by men. As a result, the anger of the Lord
was hot against the people and he delivered them into the hands of those who
would rob them rather than build them up. Remember, Satan is a murderer and a
thief and the truth is not in him.
I have watched the news the past few nights and idols (ideas of men) are
mastering a growing number of people. They are trying to destroy the very
foundation of our country. Hatred is growing in the void that has been
created because God has been forsaken. We can know that God has not changed and
it seems that we are being "sold into the hands of our enemies."
There are those who are intent upon mastering us such as Baal and
Ashtaroth. Oh, they don't go by that name anymore, but be assured their intent
is to be masters of a people. What can we do? How can we combat this? The
answer must begin with our returning back to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is
still the viable answer and it involves turning back to God with all our
hearts, minds, and bodies. Are we willing to make a stand for the Lord? Or,
will we be overrun by the ungodly?
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (15)
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made
in this place." (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)