If My People . . .

Judges 6; Jeremiah 19; Mark 5; Acts 10

Gideon’s story could be put into today’s context. Imagine the land overrun by an enemy, not Midianites but Covid-19. The angel of the Lord comes while Gideon is in isolation trying to escape exposure to this threat. The angel appears to him and says, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Gideon does not see it that way. He replies, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:11–13)

This man felt alone and helpless, certainly not like a ‘mighty man of valor’ yet God offers him a task, a solution for him and his people. We may not hear that from God, but God is offering His people something wonderful — forgiveness and healing in this time of great trouble.

Jeremiah speaks more about the reason for the great trouble. He lived in a different era, yet the problem was the same; God was speaking and His people were not listening. Therefore Jeremiah relayed the message again: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing such disaster upon this place that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind . . . .” (Jeremiah 19:3–5)

What are those other gods? Who are those innocents? Reading these accounts in the context of today’s pandemic gives the impression that God is using this situation in various ways to wake up His people. We have had the good life, at least in North America, and like Gideon many people wonder why God has abandoned us, yet like God’s people in those days, many have made an idol out of the good life. Not only that, too many have tolerated if not participated in the slaughter of innocents, calling them a mere fetus which is not too far removed from the words of Jeremiah who also said God would bring disaster on them for profaning what He had given them.

Mark describes how God sent His Son to reverse the curse of our sin. Jesus drives out demons, heals a woman whom doctors could not help, raises a child from the dead and the people were astonished at His power. But that was all they wanted. Not forgiveness of sin, not even admitting that they were sinners, just the miracles and TLC. Are we like that?

Not everyone. After Christ rose and ascended, one example is Cornelius, a centurion, Italian not Jewish. He feared God, generously gave offerings to people in need and prayed continuously. So the Lord sent Peter to tell Him about Jesus. It wasn’t easy. Peter grew up with the idea that Gentiles were unclean. However, God gave him an object lesson so he was able to say, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” (Acts 10:28–29)

Peter told Cornelius about Jesus. His short sermon ended with, “And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42–43) At that, the Holy Spirit was poured out  and this Gentile and those with him received the Holy Spirit and were baptized.

Has the church become like those who wanted the miracles Jesus performed without the responsibility to repent and give their lives to Him, not eager to share our story with others? Do we still have God-given gifted preachers who risk being ostracize as they give strong messages about the need to repent?

Does God still bring forth people like Cornelius who go contrary to their cultural norm by believing in the Good News of Jesus Christ? Or do most continue to rant that no one will rule over them, they have their rights and they will not let anyone tell them what to do? How many desire miracles but not mercy? How many want God to look the other way instead of lovingly disciplining His people?

APPLY: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) I must take that to heart.