Abandoned! (part 1 0f 2)

It sometimes saddens me when I see a house that has been left abandoned; a structure that appears to have really been something beautiful and filled with life at one time. Perhaps the aging house simply became unlivable due to the weathering of time or reached a point where the owners felt it was no longer worth the investment of any more money or time for repairs. Especially when I have seen old farm houses surrounded by a veranda, I imagine the memories of which that structure might speak if it had a mouth to do so. How many cool evenings might have been enjoyed sitting on the front porch? How many celebrations of various kinds had taken place within? How many wonderful meals had been enjoyed by family and friends? How many delightful conversations and games had been experienced within its rooms? Nevertheless, all that is left is an abandoned house NO LONGER SERVING THE PURPOSE for which it was built.

When I think about the kingdom of Judah and the city of Jerusalem -- especially during the days of Solomon -- what a life filled place to have lived. It was a prosperous time with gold in abundance ( 1 Kings 10:21) and silver as common as stone ( 1 Kings 10:27) so as to be considered nothing. ( 1 Kings 10:21) There in that city where God had said He would place His Name ( 1 Kings 11:36), the glorious Temple of the Lord had been built. It was the place where He was to be met.

Yesterday, as I began reading Jeremiah's words in Lamentations, I was struck by the very first verse which reads. . .
"HOW LONELY SITS THE CITY THAT WAS FULL OF PEOPLE! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave." ( Lamentations 1:1 ESV)

Due to the nation having abandoned God, God raised up Babylon to take His people into captivity. Here was the glorious city left "LONELY". Here was a city that had once flourished. How sad that the people had abandoned their love for God and His Will and were NO LONGER SERVING HIS PURPOSES. During the time of Jesus' ministry on earth, He told His disciples destruction would soon come to this city's glory again ( Matthew 24:1-2), with one stone not being left on another.

The Psalmist wrote. . .
"(12) BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage! (13) The LORD looks down from heaven; HE SEES ALL the children of man; (14) from where he sits enthroned HE LOOKS OUT ON ALL the inhabitants of the earth, (15) HE WHO FASHIONS THE HEARTS OF THEM ALL and OBSERVES ALL their deeds." ( Psalm 33:12-15 ESV)

Should any nation or city (or congregation of God's people) expect to be blessed when God and His Will have been abandoned? It should be no surprise that things are not going well when God's Will has been set off to the side! For Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah, it took captivity to get their attention and hearts turned back toward God. Perhaps that is still the great calling of God today in recognition of so much ungodliness in this world. May we encourage each other and those around us to recognize our greatest blessings and hope for unity will be found in FOLLOWING THE PURPOSES AND WILL OF GOD.

Have a great day ENCOURAGING THE ATTENTION OF OTHERS TOWARD GOD!
Carl

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