When does God say, “Enough?”

Probing Proverbs: 1:24-25 I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

Unconditional…that is the word that describes God’s love. It is true, yet we seem to think it also means “without end!” This section in Proverbs is difficult because it makes a clear point that God has drawn certain boundaries, and one of them is, at some point, and He does not say exactly where that is, He will not continue to offer His grace. If we are honest we know this, because the Scriptures are clear about Judgment Day, in Rev 20. Each person that has no relationship with God will give an account of their works to see if they reached perfection. We know the out come. 
None of us can reach perfection, which is why Jesus did it for us and offers that as a gift. So no matter what pleas or begging there will be on that Day, mercy and grace are no longer extended. We don’t like to go here in our mind, but the Scriptures do stress this, although they communicate much more about God’s love and how wonderful it is, AND that it is offered right now for any that desire!

So as we walk through these difficult passages let’s endeavor to glean as much as we can from them.

First: I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.

Have we ever considered in depth the love, longsuffering and patience of our God, or do we just count on it and take it for granted? The Creator of the universe, the most Powerful Person in existence continues to “call” and “reach out” to us! Why? Would we keep offering our grace and mercy to ants if we were trying to save them but they just kept doing their own thing? How long would we endure their disrespect? Lord, You are an AMAZING God!  

Second: You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

Heart Check: Have we ignored God’s advice – many will say no, yet if we are honest - how much time do we spend in His Word? Not studying scripture IS ignoring His advice. He is not going to whisper it in our ear - He has already written it down for us - we have the freedom to use it or ignore it. How many times would His advice have helped me if I had just opened His Book and looked for answers? Father, help me be honest!

Meditation: How many times do you do what you know displeases God? What does that say to you? What is the difference between sin and sinful living? Do you seek answers from God in His Word, or are you demanding He talk to you? What is the real purpose of the Bible? How often do you visit with God in His Word?  

Here is Who to vote for!

I find myself in a very interesting season in my life right now. I have just left the Philippines where a very intense election was dividing everyone, including believers, and have returned to my home, where…a very intense election is dividing everyone…including believers.

I live in one of the nations of this world that gives me the responsibility to help select my leader. This is a very awesome and important stewardship, afforded very few people in the annals of world history! I have been listening to many speak about who we all should vote for. Some, far too many, seem to have an identity crisis…they appear to think they are God, knowing absolutely who is the anointed candidate, and what that person’s administration will accomplish.

I have been silent, but now have decided to jump into the fray…or as my wife put it after she read this, may I offer a humble perspective, from a very flawed human?   

First, what do I expect from the person that would lead my nation…or any nation?

* Always do what is right and just, not what others call fair.

* Seek the best for all, not what is popular for the loudest at that moment.

* Love, mercy, forgiveness, uprightness, integrity, and pure motives in perfect balance.

This kind of person I could easily vote for, because I can place total trust for my life and my family in this person’s hands. This makes it an easy decision for me to vote for the person that I will entrust my future too, interestingly, this Person desires to have my support and commitment. Listen to what He said:

Proverbs 1:23 “Turn to my reproof, Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.

I know, I know, I can just see the eyes rolling and heads shaking because I am so naïve, and simple minded. From the gurus of what is popular right now, all the way to the self appointed authorities in theology…I can hear their echoes: “Nate, you just don’t get it!” Well, you are entitled to your opinion, as am I.

I do not believe it is naïve to place my trust in the only One that really knows what is going on and what WILL go on! I can’t even trust my own heart, so how can I trust any other fallen human with my future? That is what all the other candidates are; no better, no worse, each one is fallen and cannot be fully trusted enough for anyone to place their investment of the future in. God needs no vote to be God, He is! However, we have to decide where our faith and trust will be, He left that up to us. For some, we even get to participate in selecting who will try to be a good leader on this side of heaven. However, but when we place our whole future on that person, we will end up very disappointed.

What human should you have voted for in the Philippines? What human should you vote for in the USA? I have no idea, nor do I have that authority to be responsible for that decision. Stop turning to other fallen humans to get an answer that only you will be responsible unto God for. Here’s what you should do:

1. Understand Who is responsible for whichever human wins the election: 

Romans 13:1–4 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.

Remember, Paul was living under Rome, which finally killed him. Yet, he lifts the bar as high as possible, because his trust was not in Caesar, but in God!

Romans 13:7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

2. Understand what your responsibility is to whoever is elected.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.³ This is good and pleases God our Savior,⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

3. Depend wholly on God, not men.

Accept the truth from the Proverb we read. God desires to teach you what is right and wrong, He even desires to live inside you through His Holy Spirit. You will still be you, but He will transform you. He does not desire mere transfer of data; He plans to transform the person you are, to be the person He knows you can be. He will guide your conscience what to do with your vote. He is the only One you will answer to.

Make your most important vote count!

Psalm 20:7 Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God.

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!