2 Chronicles 28:22 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.
Isaiah 1:5 Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
Ezekiel 21:13 For it will not be a testing
Revelation 16:9-11 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
Hosea 5:15 I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me.
Psalms 52:7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
There are times of testing from God. These times are for our growth in knowledge and understanding of our heart and mind. These times of testing reveal our deepest thoughts, beliefs, and intents within our heart, mind, and soul. God uses these, in love, to draw us into a closer, everlasting, and meaningful walk with Him. We come out the other side of testing with more reliance, trust, and obedience.
Ahaz was not in a time of testing. He was making decisions and leading people who willingly followed him straight into the wrath and anger of God. God is not mocked. What a man sows so shall he reap. You reap what you sow means you get what you deserve, whatever you put your time, talent and energy into is what you get back. You reap what you sow means you must eventually face the consequences of your actions.
When we are neglectful and complacent in our commitment, listening, and obedience to God the world and our sinful nature will fill this void with things that do not honor or glorify Him. It will fill us with promises of satisfaction, peace and rest but will never deliver on them. It will walk arm and arm, hand in hand with us into darkness, confusion, anxiousness, and proclaiming false hopes. When the light of Jesus Christ is all but a dim flicker in our soul we will make an intentional choice to either extinguish or to fan it into a brilliant flame. We will either repent and turn away from our wayward path or go deeper into darkness and apart from Jesus Christ.
Do not follow family, friends, colleagues, culture, or society into darkness. Make an intentional choice to humbly return to the Light of Jesus Christ and make this your heart, mind, and soul desire. Live in His presence every moment of every day. Keep the light of Jesus Christ held high to stay on the path of eternity with Him. Keep this light held high for others to see. Live in the Light of Jesus Christ. Keep thoughts and actions and words exposed to the Light of Jesus Christ.