Sobering Words

"As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever." (1 Chronicles 28:9)

What sobering words David had for his beloved son Solomon. We too should take heed of their warning. Our God is a loving and merciful God who desires each of us to return back home to live with Him. He has paid the ultimate ransom for our souls and waits patiently while we seek to come to know Him and His will. His longsuffering is immeasurable and His kindness to us is unsurpassed. Peter tells us, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward, us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9)

But, we cannot allow ourselves to be lulled into complacency by this forbearing display of mercy. David reminds his son, that if he forsakes seeking after God, that He will be cast off forever. So often, because we see no physical signs of God's displeasure in this life, we forget He will judge us and is coming without warning. We tend to believe we have a "lifetime" to repent and get ourselves right with God. Peter continues by saying, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Pet. 3:10)

When our Lord returns and ALL that is in this world is burned up, what is it you will have left that will have been worth going to Hell for--going into eternal fire and torment where there remains NO hope? Job reminds us that we came into this world with nothing and we will leave it in the same way--only our souls will remain to be judged by our Great and Just God.

David warned Solomon: if you seek God, you will find Him, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off! What are you busy doing? Seeking or forsaking?

Dana Burk