GETTING USED TO SIN. 2nd Kings 14 The history of the nations of Israel and Judah reminds us that when people turn away from the standards of the righteous law of God, there is no return. To serve God means we are committed to live by faith. To serve idols is to live by sight. Idols are tangible things with human characteristics that are easily understood because they are devised by men who can manipulate idolatry to suit the opinions and lifestyles that appeal most to sinful human beings. Self-centered materialism lets us do what we want, including sexual immorality.
In contrast, a holy God wants His people to be holy and committed to righteousness in life, including moral purity and focusing on serving others. This involves self-sacrifice and being unwilling to be manipulated by others even as our heavenly Father remains unchanging. There is no physical representation of God to which believers bow. We bow in faith to our unseen, living God.
The two Jewish nations had gotten so used to idolatry that even in times of half-hearted revival, there was no lasting reality to the changes they made. Amaziah, king of Judah, did much of what was right, even sparing the children of those who killed his father, but he did not stop the idolatry to which the people had become so used. Respect for the law is good and commendable, but that doesn't keep pride from raising its ugly head. The defeat of the Edomites and getting the city of Petra was certainly a victory, but victory in one place doesn't mean we are invincible.
Every situation we encounter calls for assurance that we follow God's will. Often, when we have been victorious in one way or event, we find ourselves most vulnerable to failure. The lowest, most challenging point of life often follows the highest. It is possible for us to do a lot of good and still be a failure. One wrote... "He that is down need fear no fall, He that is low no pride. He that is humble shall ever have, God to be his guide."
Amaziah must have thought he could bring Israel under his rule as well as that of Judah and unite the Jews, so he picked a fight with Joash (Jehoash) and lost. Not only was he captured along with other hostages, but the defenses of Jerusalem were greatly compromised by part of the wall being torn down. Also, anything of value that could be found was taken by the army of Israel. Most people must have ignored the prophets who spoke for God because the downward path continued.
Hosea, Amos, Isaiah, Jonah, and others prophesied the future kingdom of God. Amos and Hosea particularly warned the king of Israel, Jeroboam the Second, of the need of the hour and that the prosperity they enjoyed would not last. Amos plainly told Israel to "Prepare to meet thy God." Seek the Lord, and ye will live." Then, a warning: "I will not again pass by them anymore."
People can get so used to sin that they do not, or will not, pay attention to warnings of consequences. They think nothing has happened that has been too bad until now, so they think they can keep on the way they have been going. True prophets (preachers) are willing to say what needs to be said even if they are not liked. Their concern is for the people, and they know they are speaking for the Lord.
When Azariah, the son of Amaziah, began his reign, Isaiah the prophet began his prophecies about the coming Messiah. We wonder at the lack of response to words such as "Come now, let us reason, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." How patient and longsuffering the Lord was during those times of departure and apostasy.
Azariah was king in Judah for some years before Amaziah, his father, died as a captive. The prophet Isaiah knew him as Uzziah, who sought to rebuild what was lost to Israel and regain independence from the northern tribes. Jonah was also a well-known prophet during this time, and he gave prophecies concerning Israel and those of his journey to the city of Nineveh in Assyria. That spiritual revival brought Israel a period of freedom from the Assyrians. For this reason, Jeroboam II may have been politically successful despite following the sins of the first Jeroboam. There was bitter suffering in Israel, and no one was able to help them, so the Lord used Jeroboam despite his evil actions.
Now, it is our turn as a nation. For some reason, there is no fear of God and no willingness to submit to the standards of righteousness that have guided us for over two hundred years. We should be grateful to know that "God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Without His grace, we would have been cut off and lost long before this time. Injustice, apostasy, and formal religion all undermine a nation's moral fiber and well-being. Wealth and material prosperity do not indicate God's blessing. Rather, they remind us of God's longsuffering toward self-centered people.
Believers should know that everything we have comes from God to us and is given to us to use for His purposes and His glory. What we do with what we have been entrusted with reflects our gratitude and obedience to our Lord. If we rely on what we have, our security, and our power more than on our God, we are in danger of losing everything, including our reputation, testimony, and perhaps our life.
God has brought you to where you are; leave well enough alone now. Don’t set your wishes on a distant star; rather, be content with what you have at home, and you will find “godliness with contentment is great gain.” Avoid the temptation of comparing yourself and what you have with others. Be thankful that God has enabled you to meet your needs and sometimes assist other people who have more needs than you have. Don’t meddle in what others have done or complain that they haven’t come to assist you.
Stop and consider God’s grace to you; count your blessings. You have all you need to live daily and more than physical needs; He has given you salvation, and His Spirit also meets your spiritual needs. Daily blessings pour on you when you think of all God’s grace has provided, so be content with what you have. Use with wisdom and compassion all God has given, and be thankful for every “good and perfect gift” that has come down from above. You will save yourself from a lot of trouble if you don’t meddle in someone else’s business.
Ten years from now, what will it matter if you live in the same place, eat the same food, sleep in the same bed, and meet with the same people week after week? But if you listen to the world’s advertising and succumb to its false claims, you may find six feet long is all the space your body will need. Commit yourself to living by faith and never despise or underestimate God’s mercy and grace. Make it a point to seek God’s face in prayer daily, listen to His voice through His word, and don’t meddle in what others chase to find satisfaction.