We want the blessing of God. But we avoid, ignore, pretend it isn’t true, and stop up our ears concerning God’s judgement.
In reading the end of the book of Isaiah this morning, I was struck by the stark contrast between God fulfilling His promise to Israel and bringing judgment to those who rebelled against Him.
God tells how He will make a new heaven and a new earth and how He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
He also goes on and laments how He held His hand out night and day and was ignored and disrespected again and again.
And so you have two futures, one filled with blessings and one filled with judgement.
Isaiah 66:22-24
As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the Lord, “so will your name and descendants endure. 23 From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the Lord. 24 “And they will go out and look upon the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.
It is a hard message to hear, but it is what God says.
We need to take God at His word. It is a hard truth that God will judge mankind for their rebellion against Him.
May we hear His words today and be those who listen to Him.
