Approaching The Point Of No Return

In my last blog I posted on the question, "How long O Lord?" and showed some verses where people told God they had enough and wanted a break. Today we are going to flip the script and look at the time where God says He has had enough.

Zechariah 7:12  "And they made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 

Zechariah 7:13  "And it came about that just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen," says the LORD of hosts;

The message version for verse 13 says in part: ..."So [[this is what GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies said]] if they won’t listen to me, I won’t listen to them.

If they won't list to me, I won't listen to them. The ramifications of this passage are enormous, it details a time when humanity has so closed it's ears to God, that He in turn, will close His ears to them. There comes a time when even II Chronicles 7:14 won't fully apply.

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This text was primarily directed at Israel, though many have claimed it for their nation. However if we have a crossed a line God never intended to be crossed, it wont be enough for His people to be praying, it won't suffice for the judgment looming over those who continue to harden their hearts. I know that sounds radical, but consider this passage concerning two of the greatest intercessors and men who changed the destiny of their nation because of their influence with God:

Jeremiah 15:1 Then the LORD said to me, "Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people; send them away from My presence and let them go!

We live in a time where evil is called good and good evil. We won't be able to pray away all the calamities that are coming. But as long as we are here, let us roll up our sleeves, pray for mercy, and hope that the midnight is not yet upon the earth, for our sakes, and the sakes of those in the world with us. While recognizing there is a time where God will simply say, "I have had enough!"

How Long O Lord?

Ps 6:1  Please, GOD, no more yelling, no more trips to the woodshed.

Ps 6:2  Treat me nice for a change; I’m so starved for affection. Can’t you see I’m black and blue, beat up badly in bones

Ps 6:3  and soul? GOD, how long will it take for you to let up?

This type of prayer is repeated in several other places in the Psalms here are two more examples:

 Ps 13:1 Long enough, GOD—you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough.

Ps 80:4  GOD, God of the angel armies, how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano while your people call for fire and brimstone?

When life is full of pain, it becomes doubly frustrating when you don't know why it is happening or how long it will go on for. And when that happens, please, please don't simply tell me to be patient. I know I have to wait on God, and I know that weeping lasts the night but joy comes in the morning. 

What I need, and what you need in moments like this is not much more than the comfort of a friend to help carry a load I am struggling with. Yes tell me what the bible says, just do it in a gentle uplifting way, that is what my soul needs in moments like this. Don't overly correct me if I say something stupid, God included the complaints of His people in the scriptures above without His annotations on how and why they were wrong. He just let them vent. Let's let people vent, and yes correct them if they really need it, but most of all let's love and encourage them. Isn't that what you would have others do for you?

When someone's fires is burning low, don't discourage them any more, help them stoke it.