A time for self-evaluation

The day after Labor Day is almost like another New Year’s Day, full of new beginnings. It is also a good time for us to reflect on our personal lives.

Our first priority is our relationship with God. Examples of events in the lives of God’s people in ancient times were given to help us with our problems and life choices, (Rom. 15:4, I Cor. 10:11).

During the last days of the kings of Judah (627-586 B.C.), the prophet Jeremiah lamented over the nation’s persistent rebellion against God. Each year the nation became more sinful, ignoring the call to repent and come back to the Lord. Jeremiah wrote, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” (Jer. 8:20). Let not this be said of us.

Judah was taken into captivity for 70 years, but by God’s grace, allowed to return under Ezra and Nehemiah to rebuild Israel’s temple and the city of Jerusalem. Israel’s Messiah did come, fulfilling Isaiah 53, and Christ Jesus, the savior of the world, is still inviting all people to come to Him to be saved, (Luke 2:10,11, Acts 4:12, Rom. 10:9-13).

Even though ominous signs point to some disastrous consequences coming to America, we should not give up and declare all is hopeless. God’s people were given instructions to follow in II Chronicles 7:14 when their nation was in spiritual and moral decline; Romans 12-13 aided early Christians. We must not allow the misdeeds of others to become such a stumbling block that they have the power to hinder us from coming to the savior and enjoying a wonderful, fruitful walk with the Lord.

Before summer ends on September 22, trust in Christ, be a minister of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18-21), and take part in some of the good things people are doing to help our country.

Twila Little

Coeur d’Alene