Jun 18, 2014

Cursing God

kensummers Uncategorized 0 Comments

Today was a busy day with book work regarding some of my medical records. I was surprised how my benefit explanation statements I received related to my last hospitalization and some back treatments. With the high cost of health care, I’m not sure it is cost effective when I seen billings of less than $30! I was surprised lately when I received a bill for $550 from September of 2013. It seemed odd to me, so I checked it out and three phone calls and four customer service reps later, I was told  the statement was sent in error. I’m glad I didn’t pay it assuming it was owed.

Today I was back to Northern Colorado Rehab for therapy. It went well but must have required more exertion than I realized because by the time I returned home, I was pretty tired. My new device is a muscle stimulator that is designed to help my right leg gain the strength to match my left. There are four patches that placed on my leg and then a periodic electrical current signals me to  tighten the leg muscles and to hold them until the end of the cycle.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…  “They cursed the name of God, who has the authority over these plagues. They would not change the way they think and act and give him glory.” Revelation 17:9

I am getting close to completing my reading through the Bible in the God’s Word Translation. I am about to finish the Book of Revelation. This is a book that as a teen I just avoided. However I owe it to my Las Vegas/New Zealand friend John Childers for giving me insight and appreciation for this New Testament Book of Prophecy.

What I have found important is not to “figure it out” as a puzzle as much as to see Christ revealed. It is interesting how many people anticipate God acting in judgement or divine retribution. This is reflected in statements like, “if I’m not suppose to do this, why doesn’t God strike me dead!” People often anticipate the worst from God. Yet it is clear that He is patient and long suffering and full or mercy.

Yet we read of a time when people fail to respond to His love, that God begins to act in judgment. When we don’t understand and respond to God’s ways, He often times  brings judgment by “doing it our way.”

As the plagues of judgment are unleashed upon the earth in the end times, the source of the plagues becomes very clear. How do people respond? “Do they cry “uncle”? Do they plead for mercy? Do they repent as some did in the Old Testament? No they harden their hearts, much like Pharaoh of old, and they “curse God.” In spite of the cry from the altar of God, “Yes, Lord God Almighty, your judgments are true and fair.”

Three times in this chapter that describes the “bowl plagues” of God’s wrath it says people respond by “cursing God.” Verse nine says, “they cursed God and would not [repent] change the way they think and act.” It doesn’t say they “could not” it says they would not. That indicates that even toward the end of God’s judgment He is looking for hearts that will respond to Him.

Bottom line – keep an open heart to the Lord. We don’t always understand His ways and His works. But that is why He is God. We are constantly given assurances and have the Biblical record and our own experiences that reveal His patience, long suffering and grace. Trust Him and give Him the worship He deserves. In the words of the “Song of Moses and the Lamb”…..