Ruin & Exile

 

    When you choose to reject God, it always leads to ruin and exile.  It may not be as dramatically carried out as it was for God's people, but it does happen.  Your ruin may only be a on a personal level.  Your exile is not having a relationship with God.  However, it can be carried out nationally, globally, and one day universally.  This is worth crying over because it is heartbreaking.  This is why Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet.

    God punishes sin.  It is a huge burden to watch and to know what will happen.  It is heart breaking to see the people you love live an unholy life and know that death's cruelty is coming for them.  For your own salvation, you may have to separate yourself from the unfaithful so that you can stay faithful.  Do it with the understanding that the truth will be triumphant.  You can hand them over to God and know He will do more for them than you could.

    The unfaithful may resent you.  They may try to ruin your reputation or worse.  You have to trust that God has your back.  It will backfire and they will only make themselves look bad.  These are the people that you can't trust because all they know is deception.  Satan has his claws in deep and will not let go easily.   It is okay to mourn over them, but don't let it affect your relationship with God. 

    God test people to reveal their true colors.  The people that pursue evil will never be satisfied.  They will never find peace and the test will reveal this.  These people will find ruin.  You will find life if you follow His guidance through the test.

    Listen to God.  Open your ears to whatever He has to say to you.  Learn to lean on Him and go to Him in all situations.  This is teaching you obedience.  Death will claim your body one day.  Where do you want your soul to go?  It all comes down to if your heart is circumcised.

    Do not boast about wisdom, strength, or wealth.  All this can be stripped from you.  Instead, boast about your relationship with God.  Boast about Him, not yourself.  Exercise kindness, justice, understanding love, and righteousness.  This will open your eyes to see more clearly.  You can come to ruin or you can live victorious. 

Jeremiah 9