God's Warnings - Our Response

One Year Bible

Old Testament passage for Sunday, August, 4, 2013:  II Chronicles35:1-36:23

15 And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.  II Chronicles 36:15-16 (NKJV)

God, in His grace, always sends warnings before He brings judgment.  Rarely are His judgments quick.  They sometimes take a lifetime.  He is long-suffering and patient.  He delays His acts of judgment until the last resort.  For that, we can all be very thankful.  

However, it is a serious mistake to think that because God delays His wrath, therefore He has no wrath.  In a day in which positive mental attitude has become paramount, such concepts as the wrath or punishment of God is decidedly un-cool.  

Our immediate response to this should be a simple question:  "What warnings is God sending your way?"  He will patiently call you, woo you, invite you.  But you MUST respond.  

Judah made a practice of IGNORING God's warnings.  Because of that, He finally brought the needed correction.  God does not require perfection or even a perfect response.  But, He requires a response!  

When we throw ourselves on the mercy of God, we will find that He will be extremely patient with our frailty.  But, when we bow our necks and defy His demands, He will correspondingly prove Himself to be severe.

What warnings is God sending you?  What does He call for?  Our answer to these questions will open or close God's hand of grace toward us.