The word "because" denotes cause and effect. “It fell because you threw it in the air. It fell because of the law of gravity.”
As with the physical world, there are causes and effects in the spiritual realm. If we don’t understand this truth, we can misunderstand why certain things are happening.
THE REASONS FOR GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT
2 Kings 17 records a long list of wicked kings and the corresponding judgment of God, which ultimately led to captivity in Assyria. It was cause and effect.
Now this came about because … (2 Kings 17:7)
… and then the Scripture gives 18 reasons for their captivity.
When you see the list in its entirety, you realize that God had to bring judgment. He could not ignore that which wicked men were leading His nation to do.
What was the response from God to this blatant, unceasing, unrepentant sin?
We are not immune. We think our nation is above God’s judgment, but it is not. You can ignore God’s mercy and grace and warnings only for so long. God sees everything, and everything is ultimately dealt with by God. A sobering thought.
Father, make our hearts tender to Your voice. Let us hear You and respond with humble obedience. Let us understand that Your way is always best, and You love to take care of Your children if they follow You! But let us also remember that our disobedience cannot be ignored if we lead generations to ignore You.
Americans are world-class eaters. Some estimates are that the annual expenditure in the United States for all food is $1.1 trillion. We love to eat and go to extraordinary means to consume what we want. Eating provides the nutrition to live, but it’s also a means of satisfaction on a daily basis.
What we don’t realize is that there is a food group we’re missing that is the source of not only the greatest nutritional value but the highest joy. It’s estimated that less than 10% of Americans eat this food daily, even though it’s readily available.
We know whether something is valuable or worthless by comparison. A shiny, new car may look fabulous, but it is worthless if it has no engine. The ugliest car with a working machine is far more valuable for the need.
Everyone follows a god. You can pursue the gods of this world (power, pleasure, possessions) or the Lord God Jehovah. But it’s essential to do a proper evaluation.
Last Christmas, our kids gave us a gift called “Storyworth.” Every Monday, Holly and I receive a question about our lives. Apparently, these are collected in a book at the end of the year.
Today’s question was, “What’s your best relational advice?” As I looked at this question for a long time, I knew it was a call to do some needed work on my closest relationships. Multiple thoughts ran through my mind. They were convicting because I have fallen so far short of these truths. But they are true nonetheless.