Refusing to “Cry Uncle”

Today was a nice “warmer winter” day. It is great when the temps in Colorado near 50 can feel so comfortable. I had a return visit to Northern Colorado Rehab for outpatient therapy. This appointment came a little sooner than I anticipated but I wanted to get in before my regular physical therapist is gone for an extended trip. The testing that he did showed some improvement on my “sit to stand” and walking. However the strength testing in my legs was about the same, actually showed a fraction of weakness compared to last time.

This wasn’t anything major, it just reveals that it is going to take some time for my strength to develop and for me to get back to some normal levels of strength. The other day when I was working out, I thought of the importance of my commitment to be consistent as possible with my exercise. My “preacher” type analogy that raced through my mind was as a pastor I prayed for sick people to be well, even if “instant miracles” didn’t take place, because it was a commitment of obedience to the Bible. I did it because it was what I was suppose to do…in faith. The same thing I am applying to my exercise program. I will continue to do it even if the results are not as immediate as I would like because it is what “I am suppose to do….in faith” anticipating results.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons…” Revelation 9:20    “…they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory….People gnawed their tongues in anguish and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds…they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.”          Revelation 16:9,11,21

This is a part 2 of “Responding to Judgment.” But the title above seems appropriate for what we see from people to God’s judgments in the end times. I’m not sure the origins of the “crying uncle” expressions, but we know that it has to do with submission and a cry for mercy. Every person has their breaking point. Even the mighty Pharaoh of Egyptian empire realized that the hand of the true God was against him and that he needed to let God’s people free from their bondage.

Yet in the end time judgments (many which resemble those of the Exodus) find people refusing to repent and even in their suffering curse God instead of turning to Him in seeking forgiveness and mercy. They refuse to “confess their sins” or agree with God that His judgments are true and right and that they need to pay attention and change their ways.

Proverbs 29:1 says, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” This is what we see in the Book of Revelation and the response of those who experience the outpouring of God’s wrath. But in the midst of all this it is important to observe….

That in the end God responds to people in a way that their actions deserve. They have refused to respond to God’s love and patience, so they see God’s judgment. For those who say, “if God isn’t pleased with my actions why doesn’t He stop me?”   God sends judgments to get their attention in an attempt to stop them. For those who have shed blood, God gives them blood. For those whose life style has been “jumping in bed” God puts them in “bed.” A bed of affliction.

We see that people recognize God as the source of these plagues. These are not just the outcome of “global climate change” or an invasion of aliens or some other “rationale” human explanation. They realize that this, like Pharaoh of old, is the “finger of God.” There will be no doubt that those living in these days will be very much aware of what the Bible says about these plagues and their connection to God’s judgment. They just refuse to cry for mercy or to submit to the Lord.

In spite of all this we see God’s desire is for people to repent. To change the way they think and act and recognize Him as the Lord that is to be submitted to and worshiped, and is once last time extending His grace and mercy to them. If repentance wasn’t possible, we would not see these repeated references to the attitude of people to the plagues they endure. The Lord is true to His character and as we see the expression of His righteous judgment, we see evidence of His loving kindness at the same time.

The “take away” for us today is to remember that submission to the Lord is always the best response. It is the response that allows us to choose life and it is the response that keeps us on or gets us back to the path where we belong. A path that leads to an eternity in God’s presence in a place He has prepared for us.