July 2nd | 2 Chronicles 36

I love my kids. Part of loving my kids is disciplining them when they do something wrong. Early on in parenthood, someone told us that if you discipline your kids, be consistent. The kids will hear threats of discipline, but if discipline is applied inconsistently or not at all, your kids will not respond well. I have to admit, I’ve been that parent who threatens to take away a toy or put them in time-out, but never does. What happens when you never follow through on discipline with a child? They realize there are no real consequences, and they continue to disobey. As a parent, one of the most loving things I can do for my children is to discipline them so they realize that actions have consequences. 

As we have read through this History of Israel (1&2 Kings and 1&2 Chronicles), we have seen the nations of Israel and Judah as disobedient children. They keep making wrong choices. Occasionally, they will repent, but it is the same old song and dance of pursuing false gods and wickedness. Eventually, something has to change, right? 

2 Chronicles 2:15-17, “15 The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. 16 But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, until there was no remedy. 17 Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who killed their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or aged. He gave them all into his hand.” 

God had been merciful for years, but eventually, wickedness must be judged. God repeatedly sent messengers to warn, but the people scoffed at these messages of mercy. Therefore, God brought destruction on Israel through the Chaldeans. 

For us, this should be a sobering message that God’s mercy will not extend forever. 

Hebrews 9:27, “For it is appointed for man to die once, then face the judgment.”

God graciously offers forgiveness of sins. He has people, such as pastors, friends, and missionaries, in the world who are calling on us to repent and turn away from sin. Yet, how often do we scoff at this message? We might say, “I’ll figure out all that God stuff later in life.” The truth is that God’s mercy is extended now, but upon death, we will be judged. Pain and judgment await those who fail to repent in this life. 

Remind yourself of the coming judgment so that you will heed its call and accept the free mercy offered to you in Christ. Think about eternity so you can compel others to come to Christ before it is eternally too late. Christ is gracious, but we must remember that God’s judgment on the wicked is coming. Will you be ready?