⚓ The LORD has done what He purposed; He has carried out His word, … [Lam 2:17]

⚓ For the LORD has both purposed and performed what He spoke… [Jer 51:12]

History shows us that God does not speak idle words. All that He had warned would happen to Israel & the nations if they did not forsake their evil ways came to pass.

For more than 100 years God had warned the people of the long-term consequences of the choices they were making. They heard, but continued on their way.

⁉️ What would one think of a person who heard the car honking from miles away, saw the car, and yet walked straight into its path? Stupid… that’s what we would say.

🚩 That’s what Israel did, and that is what we often do, when we hear sermon after sermon urging us to give up wicked ways… and yet, continue following the lusts of our hearts.

God called & wooed saying, … Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

And He mourned, But My people did not listen to My voice. Israel was not willing to be Mine. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own counsels. [Psa 81:11-13]

Consequence: All your enemies opened their mouth wide against you; … and say, “We have swallowed her up!”… [Lam 2:16]

The Book of Revelation shows us what awaits us if we continue walking after the lusts of the flesh, impelled by pride & covetousness. And Israel’s history shows us that God does not lie. [Rf Rev 20:11-15]

BUT – Jesus is the DOOR out of the paths of unrighteousness. He is the WAY of truth, love & righteousness which leads us to the place of rest in the Father’s arms.

Look at what God has purposed for those who choose to walk yoked with Jesus…
✨ In love, He chose us to be His sons, holy, blameless, so that we might enjoy the fullness of His grace and love for eternity. [Rf Eph 1:4-5 , & 2:7]
✨ He has purposed that we should be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, filled with His glory. [Rf Rom 8:29-30, Jn 17:22, 2 Cor 3:18]
✨ Jesus has redeemed us with His own blood to make us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth. [Rev 1:5-6, 5:10]

Israel tried to walk in paths of righteousness in their own strength and failed miserably.

God has so mercifully given us HIS Holy Spirit to enable us to abide in the love of Christ and walk yoked with Him…

For the One working in us is GOD—both to will (to purpose) and to work (to perform, accomplish) for His good pleasure. [Rf Php 2:13 TLV]

Israel’s history shows us that what God has purposed, He accomplishes. Read the list of what God has purposed for us, and have absolute confidence that what He has purposed, He WILL fulfil.

Our part: Submit to God. Resist the devil [Rf James 4:7]

Abba Father, help me to clearly understand YOUR purposes for my life. Help me to walk in submission to You, and help me to daily resist the devil and daily walk in the victory You have purchased for me at Calvary. Help me to be eternity focused. In Jesus Name. Amen.

AD