WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT

​Jeremiah 15:1
Then said the Lord unto me, though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Ezekiel 14:14
Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.
It is necessary to mention these scriptures in hopes that I could persuaded the men and women who are called by the name of the Lord Jesus to humble themselves and surrender while there is still a chance. The spiritual situation at the time the Lord used his prophets to speak this word was wrath provoking. The Lord warned numerous times to repent and return. He told them that they would be carried away captive because of their iniquity and abominations so there was a famine in the land and a troubling time. The Lord spoke through the mouth of Ezekiel and pleaded for repentance because of the idolatry and iniquity of the people. Though we may not have erected idols in the natural we have heaped to ourselves spiritual idols. Even self-righteousness is a form of idolatry in the sight of God. We give half-hearted praise and half-hearted trust. We trust in our own ability while doubting the ability of the Most High. In doing so, we have put the enemy up and trampled the Word of God in our hearts. With our actions of unbelief have we done these things. With pride beating upon our chests, we have gone forth making programs, changing laws, and putting reformers in place without seeking for the council of the Most High. Therefore, the Lord said he would visit us for our iniquities and transgressions. Though Samuel and Moses stood before him they would not be able to change the mind of God to repent from his anger toward his people. The Lord mentions both Samuel and Moses because they were the mouth of God toward the children of Israel, and they knew how to get to the heart of God through prayer and interceding on behalf of the children to avoid the wrath of God coming upon them. Samuel pleaded with the children while they sought to be like the heathen asking for an earthly king instead of the Spirit of God. Moses also gave the instructions to the children of God and pleaded wit them in the midst of their stiff-necked and unbelief to surrender completely to God. He stood between life and death to intercede for them. These men had a passionate pursuit after God’s own heart to move him for favor, grace, mercy, and longsuffering towards his chosen people. It is imperative to seek after the Lord for leadership and guidance to do his will and purpose his way. We cannot go on our own will and lean toward our own understanding to do what’s easy and comfortable. There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is destruction. Think on the lives of Noah, Daniel, and Job. Noah had a ministry of obedience. He had a simple mission to build the ark of safety and do righteousness. Job, though surrounded by friends who questioned his righteousness and faithfulness to the Most High he maintained his integrity and trust in the Lord. Then the Lord told his friends to repent, and Job would pray for them. Daniel who was placed in the midst of wickedness and idolatry amongst the children of captivity chose to maintain a life of passionate pursuit and fervent prayer to the Most High. #pray #seek #fight