Reading
SAA Notes
Cush is Ethiopia. In God’s good providence, Damascus was one of the first cities beyond the borders of Palestine that received the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we read of judgment, we also need to remember God’s mercy and grace. The Gospel is for all nations and peoples – Syria’s original religion followed the LORD. They forgot God their Saviour! (17:10)
SJA Notes
* Dear Lord God, please help us to look to You today, our Maker, the Holy One of Israel.
“For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge;”
These are words for us today as they were for ancient Israel!
People today have forgotten the God of their salvation, they have not remembered the Rock of their refuge.
And it will be to their eternal damnation unless they repent.
We read in 2 Thessalonians 1 of those who do not love Jesus, on the final day when King Jesus will return from heaven,
“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,”
This is what Jesus speaks of with the story of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25).
And for us, we have a story to tell people – That Jesus is the Good Shepherd that they must come to for salvation. He is our _only_ refuge.
Mocking and laughter may come. They did so to Noah. They laughed at King David. They even laughed at our God become man, Jesus the King of kings.
What then is a little score for us when we follow in the footsteps of our Lord!
Let us be encouraged today to spread this word of both hope and judgement, both sides of the same coin.
* Father God,
Thank You that You are our refuge, in times of trouble here on earth, but as well on that final day – Found in Christ and in Him alone!
Please open the eyes of those around us to see You as Maker, to find in You refuge and salvation.
Amen.