Special Devotion
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Proverbs 14:34
2 Chronicles 36:15-17
15) “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand”.
15) “And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. 17) Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: He gave them all into his hand”.
One of the most terrifying phrases in the Bible is “God gave them over….” That phrase is used repeatedly in the Old Testament to describe God’s dealing with Israel – His faithful people – through His divinely decreed captivity of Israel by other nations.
In the New Testament the phrase takes on new and traumatic meaning in Paul’s epistle to the Romans: “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts…” (Romans 1:24). “For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions.” “…God gave them over to a depraved mind…” (Romans 1:28).
Today the judgment of God is still expressed in terms of captivity. Although we may not be conquered by invading hordes, we are rapidly becoming a nation enslaved to moral depravity. Pornography, drugs, alcohol, homosexuality, abortion, child abuse, sexual immorality, and other forms of moral corruption have captured and now rule the heart and soul of a nation once founded on the moral principles of Scripture.
The consequences are devastating. Families disintegrate. Public decency and compassion are neglected. Authority is despised. Chaos and degradation are unavoidable.
The question is - Can you make a difference? YES - Pray!
