As you venture through life, you may not realize that you are in danger of spending eternity in hell if you are rejecting God. I remember training as a hospital chaplain one summer, where we visited hundreds of people during our education. On one visit, a man told me he was not interested in Jesus and to leave his room. I politely left the room feeling bad that this middle-aged man was uninterested in Jesus. To my surprise, this man died quite unexpectedly a few hours later. Only the Lord knows this man’s heart, but in His mercy, He sent someone to tell him about Jesus before his death. As our life unfolds, we don’t know when our last hour will be, so rejecting God is dangerous. We may think we have time to change or reconsider the Lord’s gift of salvation, not knowing if today is our last day.
The Israelites Rejected God
The Israelites were rebellious people, and soon after the Lord freed them from slavery, they tested His patience. Exodus 32:9 Then the Lord said, “I have seen how stubborn and rebellious these people are.[1] As the years went by, the Israelites continued in their contrary ways making their lives difficult when they did not need to be. 1 Samuel 8:1 As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel… 3 But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money.[2] Instead of turning toward God for guidance, the people wanted a king like those around them.
1 Samuel 8:7They don’t want me to be their king any longer. 8 Ever since I brought them from Egypt, they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. 9 Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”
10 So Samuel passed on the Lord’s warning to the people who were asking him for a king.[3]
The Lord Calls Us Back
The Lord calls us back in His mercy even when we have rejected Him and gone our own way. Sometimes it takes being in our muck and mire before we humble ourselves and are open to returning to the Lord. The Lord often uses our brokenness to break into our hearts, softened by life’s difficulties. If you have rejected the Lord, He is calling you back so you can experience His love, compassion, and eternal life.
To learn more about rejecting God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/journey-kings
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.