Thorns in the Flesh

 Thought for Today - April 19, 2023

 Thorns In The Flesh 

By: Robert A. Searles 

When God delivered Israel into the land of their possessions, he made a covenant with them. He swore to them that he would never break his part of the covenant, and he expected them not to break theirs. 

 ”And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars but ye have not obeyed my voice; why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you” Judges 2.2,3

 We who call ourselves Christians, and the sanctified children of God, are not to be a part of, nor go along with the pagan ways of the world or the world's way of thinking and philosophy. Our fellowship and conformity with the world's philosophy will be as thorns in our flesh.

 All the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua and the elders that outlived Joshua, but after Joshua and the elders of Israel had died, another generation arose which knew not the things of the Lord. 

 “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers; and there arose another generation after them which knew not the Lord nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the lord to anger.” Judges 2: 10, 11, 12 

 Several generations have come and gone since the founding of America which have not known God nor considered his works. This is the fault of previous generations of Christians who have not properly taught their children the proper knowledge, or respect for God and his works. Too many of us Christians are forsaking the ways of God and following the God of the society in which we live. We are setting poor examples for future generations, consequently, each new generation has lesser knowledge and respect for the God of our fathers. Wealth and material things have become our object of worship. 

 “And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.” Judges 2: 14 

 I believe that the anger of the Lord is hot against America today for neglecting him and his worship; because of widespread adultery; because of abortions - the murder of unborn babies; and all kinds of sexual promiscuity and perversion. We cannot always be "politically correct" and at the same time be pleasing to God. Yes, we are to love everyone, and try to win them to Christ, but we are not to be tolerent of those who are breaking the laws of God. . Will God deliver us into the hands of spoilers or the terrorist?

 “Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.” Judges 2: 16, 17

God raises up preachers and evangelist and soul winner today in America to warn us; but for the most part we do not listen. We Go whoring after the things of the world. What a shame for us as Christians to do this sort of thing. Perhaps if we will put the Ten Commandments and prayer in the name of Jesus Christ back into the public school system, and other public places, and teach our children and future generations, the proper respect for authority and the word of God, then, the guns and other weapons will disappear from the schools; children will receive a proper education; and law enforcement become less violent.

 For you who are reading this, if you are a Christian and wholeheartedly believe these truths, why not come out of the wallpaper, so to speak, and let your voices be heard – where you work; from the pulpit; from your church; among your close associates; at the voting place on election day in your state or community. Too many of us are remaining silent, and if it continues to be so, it may lead to disaster.