Canyon

Jer 10:10  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his 
wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jer 10:11  Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, 
even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.

Jer 10:24  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to 
nothing.

	Somehow, in going through the business of life and pressing through the pressures of 
living, there can be a sense that we are still far removed from what is spoken of in these 
verses. It's like- there was and there is going to be this incredible demonstration of God's 
power, but for today the kids need to go to school, the house needs cleaned, the bills need 
paid, and, praise God, we're able to be successful in all these things. The sun will come up 
tomorrow, and there will be brightness and hope in it. 
	While there is this shelter and refuge that we do have in God, there is also this side of 
Him that is intolerant of sin and the way of transgression. Other gods may exist, but for those 
who allow them to be worshiped in place of the Lord, there is a surety of following those 
gods to obscurity and death. In our world today there is a challenge to God's legitimate and 
complete power. There is defiance displayed towards the God of a people and nation that 
would only want to impart life and liberty. There is a concerted effort to either turn or destroy 
all of those who follow after the Lord of all. Though it would seem that they are making 
progress, there is really no end to the ultimate destruction that will come upon all those who 
resist the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Holy One will bring judgment and destruction 
on all those who have found themselves on the side of His opposition. 
	What is not known or fully comprehended about the judgment side of God is that it is 
not enough to just say that we aren't against Him, that we are, after all Christians, in a 
Christian nation. Unless there is an on-purpose display of a heart that is passionately pursuing 
Him, then one is automatically against Him. There really is no in between. Just leaving God 
to Himself or trying to pacify Him periodically by shadowing a church doorway will never 
qualify as actually being for Him. It would be like proclaiming oneself to be a Broncos fan 
and never having a change of pulse on game day. Just being glad they won will never replace 
the cheering and intense display of one who is truly a fan. Until the jerseys and hats are worn, 
until denverbroncos.com is on the top of the favorites list, one may happen to be from 
Colorado, but a true fan they are not. And, in the course of a game, the fan imposter will 
actually set themselves in opposition to the beloved team, in the eyes of the engrossed fan, by 
continually drawing attention to some other topic or interest that is far removed from the 
most important activity taking place on the field. To not be for them is to obviously be 
against them. 
	There is a conflict going on even now, a competition on the highest level. It's not 
enough to just be from America. It's not enough to have just been exposed to someone who is 
a Christian or to have been passionate in the past. It is only in the continual and present 
passion that is actively displayed in our focus on the Winner of this game that will determine 
whose side we're really on. As soon as our hearts are turned towards other interests that 
exclude our Father, we may say that we like Him and that He's great, but a true fan we are 
not. And, tragically we will not only miss out on the victory celebration, but there is no 
option about the destruction that awaits us. We'll actually be included with those who are 
actively and aggressively opposing Him. God is good and it will be His goodness that draws 
men to Him, but a large part of His goodness is the mercy He shows on those who will leave 
the losing team completely to join in actively supporting and playing on the team that only 
knows victory.
	Where has all the honor gone? To whom is given the greatest respect and 
consideration? It has gone to the one that is thought to have the greatest influence on life, the 
one with the most power to impact it for good or for destruction. The end will prove who 
really is the greatest and it will also prove all those who have truly found Him to be so, not 
just in verbal assenting, but in complete awe and veneration that effects every thought and 
every movement of life. May the one true God be seen today in the unlimited expanse of His 
great power and ability. Like one beholding the depth and beauty of the Grand Canyon, may 
there be a drawing back from anything that would cause that great beauty to be experienced 
in a destructive way. And, in drawing back from any possible fall, may it be into the hand of 
the only One who can keep us from falling. May the honor and due reverence be given to 
Him who is seen as far greater than any other in both destructive judgment and in embracing 
and merciful love. There is a marriage feast and celebration awaiting all those that do. 


8/23/06