It is a fearful thing to be on a boat in a storm. It is terrifying when we see the winds blowing us in the direction of sharp rocks that will destroy our boat and waves that will drown us. That’s when we should be praying “Lord, Change the Wind!”
But even in peril, we forget God who controls the storm. Why are we not terrified of Him instead of the storm? Do we not realize we will face Him in judgment?
So many signs of God’s judgment are in the daily news.
Corrupt leaders, partial judges, women leading men who have abdicated leadership, babies slaughtered in the womb. Not to mention open rebellion and hatred against God’s creation ordinences, like His creating humans as men and women. All of these things are judgments in themselves, consequences of the apalling hatred of the only One who can save us. This is spelled out clearly in the first chapter of Romans.
How does this even make sense? Spitting in the eye of the One who throws us the only life rope that can pull us safely to shore? The only One who can change the direction of the wind that will smash us against the sharp rocks of our own rebellion? Why are we not crying out to Him for help? Why are we not praying “Lord, Change the Wind!”
But as a whole, we are not. In too many cases, even the church Christ died for has fallen into a stupor. And keep in mind that the church is the very institution charged with sharing and spreading the good news of the Gospel.
So why do we not see the danger we are in? We are surely asleep in the storm and in grave danger. We need to beseech God to change the wind.
Jack was reading aloud this morning from the Westminster Shorter Catechism about original sin.
It struck me, is there clearer proof of original sin in the downward spiral of a nation whose laws reflect a turning away from God and His law?
Here in the Westminster Shorter Catechism this Biblical truth is spelled out. (Supporting scriptures are through out the Bible and for some specifics, click here ).
Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?
A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.
Q. 14. What is sin?
A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.
Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?
A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A. The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
It struck me as Jack read, that it is really pretty simple.
There is only one reason for the misery of mankind, and also only one solution. (See here for a clear presentation of this in scripture).
We sinned against God. Only God can save us. We cannot save ourselves. So God had pity on us. He condescended to save us. God came down. He sent His only begotten Son into the world to save all those who would ever believe on Jesus .
Rebels against God have always been in peril. Our every breath is a gift of the only God of the whole universe against whom we have, on a daily basis, greatly and profoundly sinned.
If you have not realized this you need to repent and believe.
To those who have, repentance should be our constant practice. We should hunger for God’s holiness to be ours. For how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? (see Hebrews 2:3)
I have written a song called Change the Wind. You are welcome to download it! It is specifically about America, but anyone can pray along with it because original sin knows no national or ethnic boundaries. Please pray it with me as I pray for myself with tears and for those I love who have not yet turned to the one solution for all our woes, now and for all eternity, and that is the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Scary days for sure, but also hopeful for those of us who have accepted the forgiveness offered through Jesus’ sacrifice and are looking forward to His return. Scripture plainly describes how it will be in the last days before His return to set everything right, and the daily news sounds more like it every day. I’m coming to the end of my time here and the last few years have brought me more clarity and understanding of what to expect. What does this God expect of me? It’s not complicated – to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with my God. Not always easy… I’m still a fallen man and along side my desire to be what He created me to be is a desire to indulge my fallen nature. Paul describes the frustration well in what I refer to as the “do do do” passage (Romans 7:15-20). So glad God made a way for me to be forgiven – I surely couldn’t do it under my own steam!
Well said, brother Lance! May we daily remember the truth you expressed here.