Monday, February 16, 2009

They Burned The Church Down

As I have read through the Chronicles in the Old Testament, I’ve thought a whole lot about the Jews and the tragedy of their ultimately going into captivity in Babylon. For all those years, they had thought that they knew what was best for them ~ to have a king to lead them. Most of the kings were very wicked; and the final one ~ King Nebuchadnezzar ~ had the temple, which King Solomon built, destroyed. In II Chronicles 36:19 it says And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. My heart hurt when I read that verse - trying to envision the darkness of that day when the temple was burned to the ground.

Under the leadership of many evil kings, the Children of Israel continued to make very poor choices. II Chronicles 7:22 says Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshiped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. In the end, God’s chosen people were taken into captivity for 70 years.

This very account reminds me of the "falling away" of the church today. For some it is just about stage entertainment. They feel if you don’t entertain then folk won’t come. For others they have gotten away from preaching the Word ~ of telling about Jesus and how to be saved from our sins. And yet for others it is meeting to eat or socialize in place of preaching. The church has fallen away. And these situations don’t even include the many folk who call themselves Christians and they don’t even attend church.

I believe that in the same way it grieved God in the days of King Nebuchadnezzar ~ it grieves God today that His church ~ His people ~ are not about the Lord’s business. We live in a very wicked time and I believe it is directly related to the falling away of God’s people. In many ways we are already in captivity to the sin that lies around us.

What can we do to help strengthen the church? That’s a whole lot to ponder ~ isn’t it. Stay in prayer and stay in the Word ~ and we will be well on the pathway that we need to be on.

10 Thoughts On The Matter:

bopeep said...

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN AND AGAIN I SAY AMEN.
I agree with everything you are saying here.
Prayes, Bo

Cindy said...

Cathryn you are so right. Seems like everyday we hear about more and more churches that are becoming "politically correct". The Word has been forsaken.

Praying for our churches and our nation.

Love,

Cindy

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said prayer and Bible study are what we need most! When I first the title of today's post I wondered if you were going to be talking about some of the churches in India, Africa, Pakistan, etc. that are being burned in our present day. Those people in those countries where Christianity has been outlawed and Christians are persecuted are living SO CLOSE to God! It may be that it takes persecution in our country to make our churches grow and be strong again.

I pray God will bless you and help you through whatever trials you are going through right now!

Marilyn

Theresa's Notes said...

Very good post.

IF said...

Thank you for the wonderful post. This is so true and so very sad today. I see a type of darkenss in Europe that is creeping into America. I love visiting my family and church here but then I also get very sad when I hear many of my childhood friends believe in nothing. The colleges today are twisting the minds of so many. Many have this idea that- oh all God's are the same and think good works can save! It saddens my heart how far from the truths this country has gone.How precious is Christ blood and salvation alone from it, and I know he will be victorious!!!

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

Cathryn,
Let's keep praying that God will keep His people focused on Him and His Word. Praying you are well, I haven't heard from you in quite some time.
God bless you,
Bren

Michele Williams said...

Amen.... we keep I eyes on Him....How are you doing? I am praying for you... Love, Michele

Karin said...

God bless you Cathryn as you are going through valleys of testing and trials. It is evident from your writings that you are feeling HIM near. He will never leave you or forsake even though the struggles are hard.

In our Wednesday prayer group we have been staying in prayer and in His Word. May the eyes of people's hearts be enlightened to serve God and only HIM.

Be well!

sarah said...

Oh the Church of God seems to be asleep and needs awakening.

Part of the trouble lies with the indifference the church has to the blood of innocent unborn children that is being shed in our Country.

If God's own people won't stand up against what is happening to these little people, then the "rocks" (Catholics) cry out..

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
(Proverbs 24:11-12)

This I believe is a huge part of the weakness of the Church...

Praying yes, living for and loving our Lord Jesus Christ above all, yes. He has given us a responsibility as well to help the innocent, and give the gospel to the lost.

Deborah said...

Hi Cathryn, Just stopped by to say hello, and tell you you're in my thoughts and prayers.