Standing Invitation | The God Story
2 Chronicles 36:11-15, Jeremiah 29:10-11, 39:5-7
There is a world of difference between: change because of FEAR vs. change because of LOVE.
David showed us that in the law, God is giving us:
“Your commands make me WISER than my enemies, for they are ever with me.”
I have more INSIGHT than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more UNDERSTANDING than the elders, for I obey your PRECEPTS.”
Psalm 119:98-100
God wanted His NATION to be unlike any other NATION because, God wanted His PEOPLE to be unlike any other PEOPLE.
When ever the leaders of the nation abandoned God’s law, the pursuit of PLEASURE increased and JUSTICE decreased.
Sin initially ATTRACTS us, but eventually sin always ATTACKS us.
ZEDEKIAH and PRIDE
2 Chronicles 36:11-15 (pg. 730)
v.12 “Zedekiah did EVIL in the eyes of the Lord his God and did NOT HUMBLE himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the WORD of the Lord.”
v.13 “He also REBELLED against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became STIFF NECKED and HARDENED HIS HEART and he would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel.”
v.15 “The Lord, the God of their fathers sent word to them through his messengers again and again because He had PITY on HIS people.”
When the CREATURE unplugs from the CREATOR, we make dumb SELF-DESTRUCTIVE decisions.
“This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon. I will come to you and FULFILL my good PROMISE to bring you back to this place. For I know the PLANS I have for you declares the Lord, plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.”
Jeremiah 29:10-11
They BELONGED to Him, He had a PLAN for them. YOU belong to Him, He has a plan for YOU.