The consequences of forsaking God, the importance of repentance, and the promise of God's restoration.
Good morning, Church Family! I hope you are feeling the love and warmth of God's mercy today. We're going to dive into a deep conversation about the consequences of forsaking God, the urgent need for repentance, and the promise of God's restoration.
As A.W. Tozer, a respected Christian author, once said, "We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts."
So, let's open our Bibles to Isaiah 59:14-19. It reads:
The consequences of forsaking God are profound and far-reaching, as depicted in the scripture we just read. When we forsake God, we essentially reject His guidance, His love, and His protection. We choose to walk away from the path He has laid out for us, and in doing so, we expose ourselves to a myriad of consequences that can affect us both physically and spiritually.
The loss of divine protection: God is our shield and fortress, our ever-present help in times of trouble. When we forsake Him, we remove ourselves from under His protective cover. This is evident in Isaiah 59:14-15, where justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away. The absence of justice and righteousness is a clear indication of a society that has forsaken God, and the result is chaos and disorder.
The distortion of truth: Verse 15 says, "Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey." When we forsake God, we forsake the source of all truth. In His absence, truth becomes subjective, and moral relativism prevails. This leads to a society where evil is celebrated, and those who stand for what is right are persecuted.
The absence of intercession: Verse 16 says, "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede." Intercession is a powerful tool in the hands of believers. It is through intercession that we stand in the gap for others, pleading their case before God. When we forsake God, we lose the privilege of intercession, leaving ourselves and our society vulnerable to the enemy's attacks.
The manifestation of God's wrath: Verse 18 says, "According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies." God is a just God, and He will not let sin go unpunished. When we forsake Him and choose to live in sin, we invite His wrath upon us. This is not because He is a vengeful God, but because He is a just God who cannot tolerate sin.
The loss of reverence for God: Verse 19 says, "So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun." When we forsake God, we lose our reverence for Him. We no longer see Him as the Almighty God, but as a distant figure who has no relevance in our lives. This loss of reverence leads to a further distancing from God, creating a vicious cycle that only repentance can break.
Repentance is not merely an option but a necessity for the believer ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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