Should We Stay or Go

Scripture: And he gathered together all of Judah and Benjamin and those who had settled among them from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, for these had come down to him from Israel in a great number when they saw that the Lord his God was with him. 2 Chronicles 15:9

Observation: In the divided kingdom, the kings of Israel continue to evolve in their actions against God. The Lord has already completely destroyed two kings and their entire lineages because of their wickedness, and then is into another who is even worse. Meanwhile, we see that in Judah the kings are at least trying to follow God, and Asa is now doing so in earnest. In the midst of these two narratives, we see this ... that people from Israel are migrating to Judah as part of their discernment of the will of God.

It is so easy to follow the history of Israel and assume that these history books, which reflect snapshots of individuals - often leaders - either obeying or ignoring God, define all society. However, there were people making better decisions. While Jeroboam and Baashal take Israel down a dark path, some follow, but some flee to another country and another leader, whom the Lord is with.

Application: The prophets often discuss a remnant of obedient believers who follow his will. It is rare that the bible declares that all people obey God. In this case, we see a portion of Israel migrate to Judah. When this happens, of course it demonstrates their faith. However, it also decreases the light of truth in the place they leave. When people are divided in their attitude about God, and the believers depart, that only reinforces the rebellion against God in that place.

How often have a I thought about leaving the Northwest and seeking life in the "bible belt" just so I could quit being inundated with faithlessness and false messages and open rebellion against God? It would be nice to know that people you work with and live near are not somewhere on the "ambivalent-to-actively-hostile" side of the scale when it comes to faith in Jesus.

So I think about this example. The northern kingdom is heading to certain doom. Yes, the leaders are taking them there. But ... when good believers flee ... certainly that is the erosion of the foundation that causes the building the collapse, metaphorically. When the voices of faith simply leave, and all that's left are the voices of rebellion ... the path is set.

God chooses to use people for his purposes. He chooses to use my family to be in one of the most under churched places in the world. I know it is not time to go.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you are so great in your plans. It is a wonder to me that you have created such a beautiful place in your creation as this corner of the planet, and then populated it with the most stubborn and faithless breed of people. We are all proud in our own knowledge and wisdom, pleased with our own strength, and confident in false teachings about love, relationships, and nature. Please forgive me when I display these same traits, and help me stay on the narrow path leading to your gate, even while I walk in the midst of the enemy. Amen.