24June 2011 2 Kings 22:16

¹⁶‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. The Lord gives us warning before He brings judgment. This verse reinforces that idea. The Israelites knew what was expected of them, and they knew the consequences for disobedience. They also knew the process for reconciliation, but they chose to continue in their rebellious ways. For hundreds of years the Lord put up with their rebellion. The day of reckoning has arrived. Ten tribes of the twelve have already been sent into exile in Babylon. The final one is about to be sent. And none of this is a surprise. We read in the Scriptures about a final judgment day. It is very clear how to get right with the Lord. His expectations for life are clear. He has told us what He wants us to do. When we fail, He provided a way for us to be reconciled with Him. And yet we stay in rebellion. We chose, like the Israelites, to be sent into exile. We chose hardship and pain, rather than repent. We even see the economic disaster in our future, and we chose to do nothing. I want to encourage you to repent, to do the things God directs us to do, and get our house in order. On a fiscal note: I would suggest that you do everything you can to get out of debt. You will never regret being out of debt.