What God prefers to do

BIBLE MEDITATION

“The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it” Jeremiah 18:7-8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT

In this passage, God is not just talking about the nation Israel. He’s talking about nations in general. God says, “When I get ready to judge a nation, if they will repent, then I will turn from the judgment I had planned for them.”

We must understand this about the great heart of our God: God is a God of justice, righteousness, and judgment, but God had rather show mercy than send judgment.

America is ripe for judgment. God will turn from judgment if a nation will repent. We are in the eleventh hour, the clock is about to strike midnight, and we need to pray, “Oh God, hold back Your hand of judgment upon America.”

Remember, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

ACTION POINT

A church steeple points us to God. Notice that the closer the steeple gets to the top, the smaller it gets. The closer we get to God, the more we realize how insignificant and sinful we are. This isn’t a time for finger-pointing in America but for repentance of personal sin, especially for the people in the pew. First Peter 4:17 says, “Judgment begin at the house of God.” Get alone with God. Confess your personal sin and repent. Be part of the answer, not the problem.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers