But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Revelation 9:20-21
Throughout scripture, from the beginning to the end, the failure of mankind to repent in the face of the consequences of our sins as been highlighted numerous times. Here at the end of time with the very world coming apart and people dying in droves, mankind refuses to give up the false gods and immoral behaviors that mark their service to the demonic forces that drive them. Like Pharaoh who hardened his heart against God until God hardened his heart so that he could not stop chasing the children of Israel into the Red Sea, mankind cannot turn away from the habits they have lived by. Their idols are powerless and only used as a way to justify their sinful behavior.
This is a warning to us all to live a lifestyle of repentance. Our hearts are too easily hardened so we need to guard against letting our anger or lusts cause us to hang on to sins in spite of the burden that comes with them. Soft hearts before the Lord is what we who believe in Jesus must cultivate in themselves. We don’t to find ourselves trapped in bondage to sin. We certainly don’t want to find ourselves fighting against God’s justice.
Lord, forgive me for the hard places in my heart. Soften me by Your Holy Spirit’s ministry. I turn from those things that are higher than You in my life. Thank You for Your grace and mercy for all who reach to You in hope and willingness to let You change their lives. Change my life again and again as I learn to keep turning my heart to You and Your ways. You are the one true God who lives, hears us, sees us, and walks with us.
To You Alone Be The Glory,
Pastor Jason
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