"Spot On!"

"Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah." (Psalms 59:5) Sometimes what is required for real delivery is some good old fashion intervention. Let's just cut to the chase, and admit it: we are all pretty much just one little push shy of a fall; all that it takes is the right person, in the right time, and in the right place, and we are totally going to fall right into the trap. There is really only one sure way to be ready for it, and that is to be on your guard, always! I was thinking about Joseph this morning, and how he was able to avoid the temptations of Potiphar's wife; he obviously did not totally avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he did avoid making her the right person. He was still punished for the possibility of what might have taken place; which is why it is so very important that you don't let yourself be put in that situation; but none the less, he had predetermined in his heart that she was not the right person. Now just in case you might be wondering how that connects to anything closely related to what this verse has to say, let me tell you a little seldom considered fact about God's way of dealing with sin, He will punish sin! We may not be harmed in the fire, but we will be subject to some sort of repercussion; in other words, it's going to cost us something, because it did cost Him something to set us free from our sins. What I am trying to say, in not so many words, is that we need to count the cost before we even consider partaking in satisfying our flesh; because there will be a price to pay for the sin that we commit. In other words; having your guard ready for temptations is made ready by knowing that God will punish the sin! Yes, we have been forgiven for our sins, even those sins we might commit tomorrow, but that does not give us liberty to sin; and I am sorry if I popped your bubble, but we don't get the privilege to do whatever we want. Basically, it all comes down to a certain amount of fear; not that we are afraid of God, because even my worst sin that I could commit would not cause me to fear God's retribution, His mercy is always greater than anything we could possibly do; but it's more about breaking God's heart, and the fear I have in abusing His great love for me... "Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover our sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God's judgment and the raging fire that will consume His enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy to us. For we know the One who said, I will take revenge. I will pay them back. He also said, The LORD will judge His own people." (Hebrews 10:26-30)