Floods sweep people away.
Don’t be swept away.
Storms can cause floods. Floods sweep people and things away by their virtually irresistible power. No matter what barriers are erected against a flood, it often finds a way to defeat the barrier, or in some instances, to sweep it away entirely.
Today’s Scripture passage speaks metaphorically of a storm that will sweep people away. We tend to read such words and dismiss them thinking, “Oh, that was then.” God does not still judge people’s actions and respond in judgment … does He?
Well, um, yes, He does. I will talk about this in a moment.
When an individual or nation abandons God and lives in disagreement with the way He created us (and the entire Universe) to live and function, it is only a matter of time before a reckoning occurs. ‘Reckoning’ essentially means a settling up of accounts.
“But we’re under grace now. God’s judgment doesn’t apply to us anymore.” Well, um, sorry, but it does. While we are no longer subject to the regulations given through Moses (called the Mosaic Law), THE law of God (His “justice system” as I call it) is still in effect and will be forever.
These Scriptures, among many others, clearly confirm this: “Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.” (Psa 119:152 NIV) and “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psa 119:160 NIV) Since the Mosaic Law has been fulfilled, it could not be the eternal law of which of these Scriptures speak.
Is God waiting for us to “mess up” so He can punish us? No. We (humans) do that to ourselves by our violation of His law. Grace was given to us as Jesus satisfied the impersonal and severe justice of the system on our behalf. He took the punishment we deserved, giving the system its “pound of flesh” (His own) in payment on our behalf. He did not stop there: He gave us His righteousness in the process.
It is not that we are no longer accountable (because we are). It is that we have been redeemed. ‘Redeemed’ means to regain possession of something in exchange for payment. Jesus redeemed us from sin and its consequences.
As evil and darkness grow, we draw closer to the time of an inevitable reckoning, a “settling of accounts” under the justice system. If our lives are not grounded in relationship with God so that His grace through Jesus’ atonement sacrifice covers us, we will be swept away (the flood in the metaphor in today’s passage).
The same applies to nations. As we look at the behavior of this nation (U.S.A.) today, it should give us great pause. To ‘give pause’ means to cause someone to stop and think about something carefully or to have doubts about something.
Do not fall for accountability-avoiding doctrines that teach in one way or another that it no longer matters what we do. It does matter. It always has and always will. If we are wise, we will live in accountability to God under grace now before accountability is demanded of us by the austere rules of an impersonal and impartial system. Then it will be too late to call for grace.
Is a storm coming? Sure looks like it. When? Only God knows. I am certain of one thing: Wisdom is not to wait and be swept up and away. Get serious about your relationship with God and your accountability to Him. There is time now.
Oh, but wait … are those storm clouds I see on the horizon?
Today’s Seed™ Scripture and Prayer for Apr. 22, 2024:
You disgraceful nation, gather around, before it’s too late. The LORD has set a time when his fierce anger will strike like a storm and sweep you away. If you humbly obey the LORD, then come and worship him. If you do right and are humble, perhaps you will be safe on that day when the LORD turns loose his anger. (Zep 2:1-3 CEV)
Prayer: LORD, You have spoken harshly to people in the past. Are we no longer accountable to You for our actions today? We are, if I understand Your Word and Your ways. Help us humble ourselves before You and acknowledge that Your decisions are just–whether we like them or not. We are accountable to You as individuals and as a nation. Begin with me. Do whatever You need to do in me first as an individual; then do whatever You need to do in us as a nation to bring us back to You in humility and accountability to You for our actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (c) 2023 Randall Vaughn • All Rights Reserved • http://www.e-min.org
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About Randall Vaughn:
With 40+ years as pastor, author, teacher, worship leader, and songwriter, Randall pioneered E-MIN in 1997–one of the earliest online ministries and today the longest operating. His passion is leading people to deeper, genuine relationship with God. He lives in Alabama with his lovely wife, Karen, and their dogs, Hadi and Rayah. He enjoys hiking, exploring new tech, and “prayer walks”.
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