Delayed Judgment

Eli had greatly erred in permitting his sons to minister in holy office. By excusing their course, on one pretext and another, he became blinded to their sins; but at last they reached a pass where he could no longer hide his eyes from the crimes of his sons. The people complained of their violent deeds, and the high priest was grieved and distressed. He dared remain silent no longer. But his sons had been brought up to think of no one but themselves, and now they cared for no one else. They saw the grief of their father, but their hard hearts were not touched. They heard his mild admonitions, but they were not impressed, nor would they change their evil course though warned of the consequences of their sin. Had Eli dealt justly with his wicked sons, they would have been rejected from the priestly office and punished with death.

Year after year the Lord delayed His threatened judgments. Much might have been done in those years to redeem the failures of the past, but the aged priest took no effective measures to correct the evils that were polluting the sanctuary of the Lord and leading thousands in Israel to ruin. The forbearance of God caused Hophni and Phinehas to harden their hearts and to become still bolder in transgression. The messages of warning and reproof to his house were made known by Eli to the whole nation. By this means he hoped to counteract, in some measure, the evil influence of his past neglect. But the warnings were disregarded by the people, as they had been by the priests.

God condemns the negligence that dallies with sin and crime, and the insensibility that is slow to detect its baleful presence in the families of professed Christians. He holds parents accountable in a great degree for the faults and follies of their offspring. God visited with His curse not only the sons of Eli, but Eli himself, and this fearful example should be a warning to the parents of this time
Conflict and Courage p. 142
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray that B will find a good paying job. L
———–Praise—Ken has awakened and is able to eat. He will be transferred out of ICU and into a regular room for a few days before going to a rehab hospital until able to return home. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for him. Linda
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Dear Friends,

Some years ago, Ronnie Jay went to the doctor because he had been having trouble with his ear. Two days after Thanksgiving, he woke up with a feeling of fullness and a lack of hearing in his right ear. From that time this problem bothered him intermittently.

The doctor took one look into his ear and instantly knew his problem. He had an ear infection and his ear was packed with ear wax. As she was talking with Ronnie Jay, he told her that he had felt no pain, because although he does feel pain somewhat, he does not feel it very well. She said that he was lucky.

Ronnie Jay was surprised at her comment. He did not feel lucky at all. He knew that pain is a gift that is given to us to help us in daily life. He explained to her that he wished that he could feel pain better than he does. Pain is necessary to keep us from injury. Without its alarm, he has played football on a twisted knee, gotten many infections in fingers or toes that he only noticed when he happened to glance at it, and had ear infections so bad that he did not realize it until he could not even sit up without the room spinning. No, he did not feel lucky.

Just as pain warns us that something is wrong, so God’s law warns us of areas in our lives that need changing. God’s law is the foundation of His government. The law teaches us where we fall short of His will for us. Paul tells us, “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Gal 3:24 The law cannot save us, but without God’s law, we would not realize our great need of a Saviour. Without His commandments, we would continue ever downward in sin until there was no remedy.

Praise God for His great Law of Liberty that brings us to Christ! Jesus is our Redeemer, our Saviour, our Creator, our King! He says to us, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 We do not obey to be saved. That is impossible. We show our love and gratitude for His great sacrifice by ordering our life according to His will for us. “We love him, because he first loved us.” “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 4:19;5:3,4

James admonishes, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”
James 1:22-25; 2:12

David sang, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.” “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Ps 119:10-12, 35-40; 19:7-11

May we daily accept our Dear Saviour’s sacrifice and invite Him into our heart. May we cooperate with His Holy Spirit as He helps us do those things which are pleasing in His sight. May we daily keep His Commandments from a heart overflowing with love for Him Who loves us so.

Rose

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