Complacency has come to My ears

“Because you have raged against me and your complacency has come to my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will turn you back on the way by which you came.”

Psalms 35:1  Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers! Say to my soul, “I am your salvation!” Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me! Let them be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away! Let their way be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them!

Psalms 43:1   Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause against an ungodly people, from the deceitful and unjust man deliver me!

Psalms 119:154   Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!

Proverbs 22:23  for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.

Proverbs 23:11   for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you.

Jeremiah 51:36   Therefore thus says the LORD: “Behold, I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry,

Lamentations 3:58   “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life.

Acts 5:39  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,

Psalms 32:9   Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

Scripture is full of examples of where God interceded  on behalf of His people.  He took vengeance on those who disregarded Him.  He gave refuge to those in need of protection.  He conquered  those who seemed mighty.  He confounded those who had plans and means.  It is terrible to fall into the hands of God in His wrath, fury, and anger.  Yet, people do it all the time and continue to do so.  I am not sure what our purpose is in all of this but I do know we have opportunity to speak God and Christ into those who are separated and lost from God.  Our lives can be a reflection of His grace, mercy and love.  Fill yourself with His word and be a vessel over filled with kindness, gentleness, peace, and joy.

Sword of Judgement

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

 

Psalms 7:12
If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow;  he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts.

Isaiah 55:6-7
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 31:18
I have heard Ephraim grieving, ‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?

Matthew 3:10
Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Acts 3:19
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Deuteronomy 32:41
if I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and will repay those who hate me.

Isaiah 34:5
For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction.

Ezekiel 21:23   But to them it will seem like a false divination. They have sworn solemn oaths, but he brings their guilt to remembrance, that they may be taken.

We don’t seem to talk about God’s wrath and judgement awaiting those who do not repent.  We live in a time of grace and mercy and this seems to keep us content and maybe even a bit complacent.  Shouldn’t we talk about both His love/grace/mercy and His wrath/judgement?  How will people know of the need to repent and turn away from their life apart from honoring God?  Each of us given this grace has a responsibility to tell others of God.  Ask God to lead you in paths/people to proclaim the need for salvation and His redemptive work through Christ.