Abandoned! (part 2 of 2)

Yesterday we noted Jeremiah's lament over "lonely" Jerusalem where we read. . .
"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)

Once full of people and the buzz of activity, the city had been left abandoned. Though some of the poorest had been left by Nebuchadnezzar to tend to the vineyards, the rest of the people had been taken into captivity. This was the result of their having abandoned their DEVOTION TO GOD. Jesus uttered His own lament over this city as well. (note Matthew 23:37-39)

Today let us consider this state of affairs not from a national or other group standpoint, but closer to home in a very personal way. Think about the individual life that NO LONGER SERVES THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH GOD HAD CREATED IT. Is such not even a sadder sight than that of a crumbling city or abandoned house; a life created in the glorious image of God, but now left dilapidated and falling apart?

The Hebrew writer described some who had apparently at one time been thriving with spiritual life, but who at some point abandoned God's way where we read . . .

"(4) For it is impossible, in the case of THOSE WHO HAVE ONCE BEEN ENLIGHTENED, who HAVE TASTED THE HEAVENLY GIFT, and HAVE SHARED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, (5) and HAVE TASTED THE GOODNESS OF THE WORD OF GOD and THE POWERS OF THE AGE TO COME, (6) AND THEN HAVE FALLEN AWAY, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt." ( Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV)

A warning to take to heart is that God's Will can be abandoned to the point of no return. We must guard against that happening in our life. That is why we need to be very serious about the Will of God.

Peter also noted. . .
"(20) For if, after they HAVE ESCAPED THE DEFILEMENTS OF THE WORLD through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they ARE AGAIN ENTANGLED IN THEM and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. (21) For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. (22) What the true proverb says has happened to them: 'The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.'" ( 2 Peter 2:20-22 ESV)

What a picture! Between these two passages we might picture a life that at one time flourished before turning away from God to go the way of the world. A life now separated from God by sin. A life once so full, and now so empty. A life abandoned and therefore no longer flourishing spiritually or even physically. A life no longer enriched with the blessings God so desires to provide. A "lonely" life without God, struggling with an emptiness only He can fill.

May neither God nor His Will be forgotten or forsaken in our life. Let us earnestly guard against our focus being drawn from Him to other things. Being separated from God seems to have been one of the worst things David could have imagined. ( Psalm 51:11) If we can picture the "lonely" life where God is removed we should be compelled to keep our hearts turned toward Him as we remember it is God Who still provides His great work of restoration. His renewal is just as new!

Have a great day AS A HABITATION FOR GOD'S PURPOSES!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Faithfulness