2 Chronicles 36:15-16, "And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, UNTIL the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, TILL THERE WAS NO REMEDY."

I want to begin by wishing you all a Happy 4th of July! Take time to pray for our nation as we celebrate its 243rd birthday.

There is no doubt as we consider the attributes of our God that He is loving, merciful, and gracious. However, He is also holy and righteous expecting surrender and obedience from His children. The entire history of the kings is a history of some doing right while others did wrong. There is not one king of Israel who is described in the Bible as doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD. There are some kings of Judah who did that which was right while others did that which was evil.

By the time of this passage Israel had been taken captive by the Assyrians (around 721 B.C.) Judah would experience two invasions by the Babylonians who completely destroyed the temple, while burning Jerusalem and tearing down its walls. The productive citizens of Judah were then carried off in captivity to Babylon.

God in His grace and mercy sent messengers (prophets) vs. 15 says, "...the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes (early), and sending..." WHY? Because, "He (God) had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place." You see God loved His people, He loved Jerusalem, and He loved the temple. He was filled with compassion. He wanted only that which was best but the people in the hardness of their hearts rejected God's messengers, which meant they rejected the Lord's message. Verse 16 talks about the dire hardness of these people, "...they MOCKED the messengers of God, and DESPISED his words, and MISUSED his prophets, UNTIL THE WRATH of the LORD arose against his people, TILL THERE WAS NO REMEDY." It doesn't require much explanation, only the fact that we need to acknowledge what it says. The words "mocked, despised, and misused," ring loud and clear about the condition of the hearts of God's children. God's anger grew until there was no remedy for them, only judgment.

May the Lord work in our hearts, and in the hearts of the membership at Brownsburg Baptist Church.

Are we there today in the United States? Are the hearts of God's people so hardened that they mock, despise and misuse? Are we passing the point of remedy? I pray for a revival of surrender and obedience!!!

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What hard things of Scripture have you refused to obey?

2. Have you ever mocked the man of God and His message? Why?

3. How does God want you to receive His Word and those who preach?