Trivia:
In my last trivia I asked who was the author of the "Sillence Dogwood" letters. Well, Benjamin Franklin was the writer of a number of letters that were published in the New England Courant, who was supposed to be letters from a middle aged widow. They were satirical writing many times poking fun at religious hypocrisy, the persecution that women face, women's fashion, life in that time period of 1722. They became very popular, however, no one knew who she was or where she came from. Many male readers were so impressed with her that they proposed to marry her. If you are interested in reading a few of these letters there are several recorded in You Tube.
Here's a new trivia matter. Which of these states are not considered part of the Southern U.S,? Louisiana; Texas; California; Georgia? Guess one.
Challenge:
Psalm 79:1-8 "O God, pagan nations have conquered you land, your special possession. They have defiled Your Holy Temple and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins. 2 They have lift the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of heaven. The flesh of your godly ones has become food for the wild animals. 3 Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem; no one is left to bury the dead. 4 We are mocked by our neighbors. an object of scorn and derision to those around us. 5 O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you--on kingdoms that do not call upon your name. 7 For they devoured your people Israel, making the land a desolate wilderness. 8 Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors! Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair."
This is a recount of the great destruction that was experienced by the nation of Israel in a poetic form.
If you want a more detailed recounting of this destruction you can turn to 2 Kings 25:8-21.
We are going to focus on the first three instances in the first part of the poem.
A lament for the devastation of Jerusalem (vs. 1-4)
A call for God to punish the enemies of Judah and Jerusalem (vs. 5-7)
A plea for forgiveness and deliverance (vs. 8)
This is highlighting the repercussions of outward continuous rebellion against God and the devestation that ensues. The reason for this tragedy is found recorded in the historical writings in 586B.C. It was in summary a recounting of the Jewish people sinning and hard-heartedly sinning against God with no willingness to return toi His ways after many warnings, small consequences and yet their refusal to return to His instructions. Consequently we recognize the repercussions of their rebellion and the devastation that resulted.
We are reminded of the many consequences that rebellion against God in our lives as well will be expoerienced, the temple defiled. 1 Corinthians 3:16 reaffirms this "Don't you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?"
Verse 2,3 also reminds us that physical death can result as well. Romans 3:23 reminds of this revealed truth, not only does joy die, but many special relationship also die along with health and reality.
Verse 4 tells us of the outcome also being borne out in scorn, conflict, and even to the point of contempt.
Verse 5-7 lays out the ultimate outcome of rebellion against God is the total devouring the persons value to his world about them. We see around us today these very evidences in those past friends who have been eaten up by the addictions of drugs, immorality, and other degradations of our world.
Verse 8 after recounting the repercussions of rebellion against God and His purposes, we come to the blessings that come upon us when we request (repentance) for God to return order and control to our lives. He comes to us with His redemptive, cleansing work, with His compassion, and gracious renewal. When in college while reading of God's renewal works in the lives that past saints recount in the lives of many they had witnessed, I was struck by the words of F. B. Meyer, "We have an irresistible argument when we plea for God's glory."
SO GO WITH GOD for His grace is new every moment. My dear one remember Lamentations 3:22, 23 "It is the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness." Oh my dear one rest on His mercy and faithfulness, for it never fails.
Louisiana