Steadfastness in the Midst of Judgment: A Lesson on God\'s Mercy and His Wrath By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7)
Introduction
In a world filled with chaos, confusion, and moral compromise, the call to remain steady and unmovable in our faith is more urgent than ever. The passage before us today serves as a powerful and sobering message, directly addressing the spiritual condition of humanity and the divine response to it. It draws a stark contrast between those who are steadfast in their relationship with God and those who are "wavering between two kingdoms." This lesson will meticulously unpack the profound truths contained within this text, serving as a comprehensive guide for those who seek to navigate the complexities of our time with clarity and courage. We will explore what it means to be well-pleasing in God's sight, to serve Him with a glad and rejoicing heart, and to receive the blessedness He has stored up for the obedient.
This message also speaks with an unblinking honesty about a reality many are uncomfortable confronting: the manifestation of God's wrath and fury upon the wicked. We will examine the divine justice in this, understanding why there is no room for "false compassion" when we witness the consequences of persistent rebellion and evil. The text reveals the true nature of the wicked as emissaries of the devil, consumed by pride and a relentless desire to plot against the righteous. By understanding this, we can stand firm in our own faith, rejoicing that vengeance belongs to God alone and that He is just in all His judgments. Ultimately, this lesson is a call to a deeper commitment, a celebration of the boundless mercy available to the faithful, and a solemn reminder of the inevitable justice that awaits those who choose to live in defiance of their Creator.
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Steadfastness in Our Service: The Pleasure and Reward of God
The foundational encouragement of this message is to "keep steady in your relationship with Me." This is a call to a firm and unwavering commitment, a resolute decision to serve God as the one and only Master. The passage reveals that when His people are "steadfast in their commitments unto Me, then are they found well pleasing in My sight." This is the ultimate goal of the believer—to live a life that brings pleasure to the heart of God. Such a life is not one of fleeting emotion or half-hearted devotion; it is a life of consistent obedience and faithfulness. This steadfastness is not just for God's pleasure, but also for our reward. The text makes it clear that it is God who "rewards you for the same."
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58). A steady relationship with God is the source of all spiritual strength and stability. It is the antithesis of the weak and enfeebled state described later in the text. When we are steadfast, we are not easily swayed by the lies of the liar or the temptations of the world. Our commitment is a testament to our faith in a God who is both our rewarder and our sustainer. It brings us into a place of intimacy and confidence, knowing that our allegiance is not to a fickle or unreliable deity, but to the Living God who is ever present and faithful to keep His promises.
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Wavering Between Kingdoms: The Weakness of a Divided Heart
The text draws a sharp contrast between the steadfast and those who are "wavering between two kingdoms." God finds no pleasure in such individuals, for they are "unstable and cannot be completely depended upon." This spiritual indecisiveness is not a neutral state; it is a profound weakness that results from a divided heart. The passage states that such people have "estranged themselves from Me and given themselves to the lies of the liar." Their condition is described as a "weak and enfeebled state of being," a direct consequence of choosing to follow their own desires rather than God's.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8). The double-mindedness described in scripture is exactly this state of wavering. A person who tries to serve both God and the world ultimately serves neither well. They are swayed by the shifting tides of popular opinion, the fleeting promises of sin, and their own selfish desires. The passage reveals the spiritual sadness of this condition, stating that God is "greatly annoyed" with their disrespect and disregard for Him. This is a powerful warning against spiritual carelessness and slothfulness. It reminds us that our choices have a direct impact on our relationship with God, and that a wavering heart can never truly know the blessedness and stability that He provides for those who are fully committed to Him.
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The Goodness of God: Blessedness for the Obedient
In stark contrast to the despair of the wavering, the text celebrates the "blessedness that I have stored for the obedient." This blessedness is a direct result of serving God "with gladness and rejoicing." The passage highlights God's pleasure in a people who desire to please Him and are not centered on themselves. It is His "pleasure to show forth and to give many blessings to those who receive the same with thanksgiving." This goodness is not a response to our perfect obedience, but to our desire to please Him. It is a reward of His grace, a tangible manifestation of His love for His children.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3). The blessings of God are not limited to material things; they are a deep and abiding peace, a sense of purpose, a spiritual restoration, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These are the things that God has "stored" for us. The message encourages us to be thankful that we are "privileged to serve" Him, for this service is not a burden but a source of joy. The more we desire to please God, the more we open ourselves to the infinite goodness and blessings He has for us. Our thanksgiving is the key that unlocks these treasures, affirming our trust and reliance on Him as the source of all that is good.
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The Manifestation of Wrath: The Just Deserts of the Wicked
The passage unflinchingly addresses the other side of God's character: His wrath, fury, and indignation. It states that those who "have chosen the ways of the damned are not the recipients of My mercies." Instead, they are receiving the "full measure of My wrath because they are deserving of the same." The text defines their actions as "disgusting and repulsive in My sight," and highlights their lack of shame and their constant effort to "shift the blame upon the righteous." Their lives are the "manifestation of Operation Devastation" because of their careless choices against God.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18). This wrath is not a capricious act of an angry God, but a just and holy response to persistent rebellion. The wicked are receiving a full measure of what they have chosen. They are "bent on their own destruction and damnation," and the tragedies that befall them are a direct consequence of their actions. The text is clear that God is "greatly annoyed with their disrespect and disregard for Me" and that He is "sorely displeased with the wiles of the wicked." This is a spiritual reality we must understand. The days ahead will hold many manifestations of both God's mercy and His wrath, and we are not to be shocked by what He does, for He is just, and "none has the right to accuse Me." The "days of innocence are no more," and the world is blindly walking toward the hell it has chosen.
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The Nature of the Wicked: Emissaries of the Liar
The passage provides a chilling spiritual diagnosis of the wicked. It describes them as being "full of wickedness and plot evil all the day long." Their arrogance is profound; they are "drunk on pride" and have "appointed themselves as judges over My people." Their actions are not random; they are driven by a singular purpose: "to bring My people to ruination, devastation and death." The text pulls back the curtain on the spiritual forces at play, revealing that these individuals are "emissaries of the devil" and "full of demonic input." They receive their "orders from the headquarters of the devil, and they follow the same."
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44). The wicked are not simply misguided or misinformed; they are active agents of evil, following the commands of a destructive master. They have no shame in their "disgusting and repulsive" behavior and are so full of pride and defiance that they believe they will escape all retribution. The text warns us not to "take in their spirits," for they will cause us to be "weak and weary." Understanding their true nature allows us to recognize the spiritual battle we are in and to stand firm against their influence. They are not merely our political or social opponents; they are spiritual enemies who serve the one who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.
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No Room for False Compassion: Vengeance Belongs to God
One of the most challenging and direct instructions in the text is the warning against "false compassion." We are told not to "pity them" when we see the "intensity of My wrath displayed upon such as are full of wickedness and rebellion." This is a difficult truth to accept in a world that often prizes pity and emotional sympathy above all else. However, the text provides a clear rationale: God sees the "hardness, rebellion, and hatred for Me that they live in continually." He does not forget their wickedness, and He does not give them mercy because they have not asked for it.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). This scripture perfectly encapsulates the message. We are not to take revenge, but neither are we to give way to a false pity that diminishes the gravity of their sin. The text commands us to "be glad that vengeance belongs to Me." This is not a call to rejoice in someone's suffering, but a call to trust in the absolute justice and righteousness of God. We can be confident that the One who sees the evil, who understands the full extent of their wicked deeds, is the only one fit to be their judge. By entrusting vengeance to God, we free ourselves from the emotional and spiritual burden of their actions and find peace in His perfect justice.
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The Standard of the Righteous: A Blessed Alternative to Damnation
The message concludes with a final and powerful contrast between the way of the damned and the way of the righteous. The wicked are described as being "blindly looking forward to hell," their lives a testament to their own destruction and damnation. In stark contrast, God's people are called to serve Him in an "attitude of gratitude." We are given "My standard to live by" and are not reduced to the "debauched and disgusting behavior of the damned." This standard is a gift, a blessed alternative to the path of self-destruction. It is a way of life that is guided by mercy and righteousness, provided by the Living God.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart. (Psalm 119:1-2). The standard of God is a life of holiness, a life of integrity, a life that seeks to please Him above all else. This standard is not a heavy burden, but a pathway to peace and joy. We can be glad that we can serve a God who rules us in mercy and righteousness, for His way leads to life, not to despair. We are not called to be a part of the "multitudes" who perish daily; we are called to be a people who are kept, who can trust in God’s provision, and who can rejoice in confidence that He is the one who rules our lives and our eternal destiny.
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Summary
This lesson has been a direct and challenging call to be steadfast in our relationship with God, who finds no pleasure in a wavering heart. We have seen the stark contrast between the blessedness and rewards that await the obedient and the despair and ruination that are the just desserts of the wicked. We have been given a clear understanding of God's wrath as a righteous response to persistent rebellion and the nature of the wicked as emissaries of the devil. The lesson has powerfully reminded us that vengeance belongs to God alone and that we are not to give way to false compassion for those who have chosen a path of evil. Finally, we have been shown the blessedness of God's standard, which is a life of mercy and righteousness, a true and joyful alternative to the path of damnation.
Conclusion
The days ahead will hold both the profound manifestations of God's mercy and the intense revelation of His righteous wrath. We, as God's people, are not to be shocked or afraid, but to remain steadfast and trusting in His perfect justice. We are to be glad that we can serve a God who rules in mercy and righteousness and who keeps us safe from the spiritual devastation that is gripping the world. Our steadfastness in faith is not in vain, for it brings pleasure to God and secures for us the blessedness of His eternal presence.
The Call to Action
Therefore, I urge you today to:
• Renew Your Commitment: Examine your heart for any wavering or double-mindedness. Make a conscious choice to be steadfast and fully committed to God alone.
• Live in Gratitude: Practice a life of intentional thanksgiving, acknowledging God's goodness and blessings in every circumstance.
• Reject the Spirit of the Wicked: Refuse to adopt the careless and slothful attitudes of the damned. Stand firm in your faith and resist the influence of those who serve the liar.
• Trust in God's Justice: When you see evil and injustice, release your desire for revenge and trust that God's wrath is a just response that will be fully manifested in His time.
• Embrace God’s Standard: Be glad for the standard of righteousness God has given you. Live a life that is distinct from the debauched behavior of the world and be a testament to the blessedness of serving Him.
Final Word of Encouragement
Remember that you are not left to face these times alone. The same God who shows forth His wrath is the same God who rules you in mercy and righteousness. Your life is not purposed for destruction, but for life. Be confident in His keeping power, and rejoice in the newness of life that He provides.
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Sala ya Wokovu (Prayer of Salvation)
Dear Lord Jesus,
I come to you today and I confess that I have been a sinner and have not always been steadfast in my commitment to You. I confess my wavering heart and my tendency to follow my own desires. I believe that You are the Son of God, that You died on the cross for my sins, and that You rose again on the third day. I ask You to forgive me and to make me Your own. I choose to serve You alone as my Master and Lord. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can be steadfast and walk in Your standard of righteousness. Thank You for Your mercy and for the blessedness You have prepared for me. In Your name, I pray. Amen.
