Judah inhabitants were persistent in evil practices, therefore God removed his protection from them and allowed their enemies to defeat them. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah’s land and took its citizens captive. The Judeans became slaves and fugitives to a gentile king – in a foreign land. The Bible reported,
“In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.
2. And the Lord sent against him raiding bands of Chaldeans, bands of Syrians, bands of Moabites, and bands of the people of Ammon; He sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the Lord which He had spoken by His servants the prophets.
3. Surely at the commandment of the Lord this came upon Judah, to remove them from His sight because of the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done,
4. and also because of the innocent blood that he had shed; for he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, which the Lord would not pardon” (2 Kings 24: 1-4).
Lesson:
God loves sinners but he cannot cope with their sins. Therefore, it is difficult for a sinner to receive God’s blessings without repentance. The Creator can suspend every benefit due a sinner until he or she repents. Meanwhile, Satan can easily manipulate sinful moments to his advantage. The desperate enemy may attack and cause an unrepentant sinner severe damage. Hence, all children of God are encouraged to walk uprightly with God. Everyone must appease God with faithful services to receive his benefits. It is certain that the Creator will protect and provide for people that recognize his supremacy and serve him well.
Prayer:
Dear God, I ask you to please forgive all my sins. Please enable me with grace to serve you with godly fear. Help me to maintain a consistent relationship with you, and help me to serve you with purity. Empower me through your Spirit to make conscious efforts to satisfy you at all times, so that it can be well with me throughout the days of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
