If we do not get serious with the profession of faith we claim to have now, then we will not stand a chance in what is coming.  The time for those who say they love the Lord will be tested and for all that have put their so called trust in Jesus only to be rooted in their own strength (flesh) this will be proven when they deny Him for fear of man and wanting to be accepted, for fear of losing out on certain comforts and even necessities, and for fear of their own lives. 

Under the Lord’s Blessing, or under His curse

It is God who grants to us a sound mind.  This is not a right that we have, but is of the blessing of God.  When we go against the laws of God, we cross over into becoming His enemy and in so doing, we will reap enemy wages.  The tell-tale that we are found under the shadow of the almighty God (Ps 91) is we will possess our wits and not suffer from an anxious mind.  We will not be driven, by fleshly logic and (self) will – but rather be led by the Spirit of the living God.  We will walk contrary to the tide of the world(ly) in confidence that is rooted in the word.  God will give to us the ability to understand what is right and what is wrong not only in the world but that is within us and will go with Him, in discovery – of ourselves, and of Him.  Those who appear to be of God, that is they who talk the talk, will only do this, talk it and will not make one step to walk it.  They are like clanging symbols to God’s ear that only annoy Him for their clanging hypocrisy.  They talk arrogantly with words that say they love God but He sees their heart that has nothing to do with Him and His anger burns against their lying lips.  Anyone who chooses to pretend with the Lord – their sin will find them out. 

In the time proceeding the Babylonian captivity of the Lord’s people, God sent out prophets to warn them of their sin against Him.  Jeremiah was one of them.  Though they continued in their stubborn and hard hearts, God continues to give them counsel so they will not be wiped out completely. Similarly, we live in a day where Babylon is rising with the same reality of its captivity as daily it is positioning itself to rule the entire world.  Those who don’t know what I am saying, I’m afraid, are at the highest risk for being consumed by it.

We have hope, as they did to turn away from trust in men, ourselves and all its systems and be found in the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is He who is the way, truth and life.  Those who continue to think they can live their own flesh-driven lives and enjoy the resurrection life – live deluded lives and are like those who are cursed and described in the warning Jeremiah gives.  Those who walk wisely, in the fear of the Lord (understanding the honor due Him) and by faith are those who are accepted into His Rest (peace) – are under His blessing, no matter what is going on around them:    

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
 I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings. – Jer 17: 5-10