MY FRIENDS, DO WE LINGER, WHILE GOD TELLS US TO “COME OUT OF BABYLON”

MY FRIENDS, “DO WE LINGER,” WHILE GOD TELLS US TO “COME OUT OF BABYLON”?

“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked….. Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.” Ps. 73:2-17 (NKJV)

David tells us he almost slipped, because his focus went from the presence of God, to being fixated on the one who said, “I will make myself like the Most High.” this is when he “went into the sanctuary of God”

My friends, the world has so much to offer “that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Prov. 14:12 (NIV)  Trying to stay focused “on things above, not on things on the earth” is a challenge that will take heartfelt and sincere prayer to stay focused on our Salvation.

God tells Isaiah in Is. 3:10-11(NIV) “tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them they will be paid back for what their hands have done.”

We must all look back on where God has brought us, and where this journey he leads us on, will take us, as we realize The Good Shepherd must be our fortress against the god of this worlds attempts to lead us away from His presence.

Satan will keep us thinking that the world owes us, so we must keep pursuing after it. In addition, we continue to acquire the things of this “world that passeth away, and the lust thereof….” 1 John 2:17 (ASV)  Let’s focus today my friends at the fate of the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah.

First God reveals to Abraham in Gen 18 that He will destroy Sodom and Gomorrah “And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”

Then Abraham pleads to the Lord “Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. Oh the grace of God. We now go to Gen 19 God has now revealed to Lot, Get out of this city and take your family with you, because I will destroy it.

“So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying,

“Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.

And while he lingered, this my friends shows us the marvelous grace and mercies of God, because in spite of Lot and his hesitance to leave all of his belongings and go. My friends Abraham pleaded, “if only 10” would you save Sodom, there were only three.

His wife almost made it, but her focused remain on the things of this earth. Today do we linger as Christ pleads for us “to come out of Babylon” remember “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

My friends, please take time each day and seek God’s presence in your sanctuary. Like David once he went into the sanctuary, he understood the wicked’s fate of destruction and the redeems eternal reward” and like David who “told everyone about the wonderful things God does.”

As God’s chosen, we must also tell the good news to a world of the mercies grace and love of Christ. and about his soon return and what he has prepared for all who have faith and are willing to endure and believe in the saving power of Christ who died for all.

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY