Feed Your Ears Right

Years ago my mom pointed out my sensitivity to music. She told me she noticed I would become irritable, depressed, angry, or downright sad while listening to country music. I told her that was ridiculous. Music didn’t have any affect on my moods, but my mom planted a seed into my mind and gave me something to think about. Before long, I noticed I was, in fact, becoming more negative while I listened to my beloved country music. I found myself with a choice: stick with my favorite songs or do what was best for my mental health. It seemed like a relatively unimportant choice. However, what would my response be if the choice involved my physical health? Would the response change if the question was not about a particular music genre or food group, but a favored pastor, spiritual leader or a prophet?

Often when I read the Bible, there are a few books I try to avoid. Now, I know God’s word is not a salad bar. All of it is holy and necessary. I cannot take what I like and ignore the rest. So although I don’t prefer the books of Leviticus and Lamentations, for example, there is much to be learned from them. As I read them, I pray asking my Father to show me what I’m supposed to learn from them. Recently he had to remind me, like my mom did, to be careful who I was listening to. My country is going up in flames, metaphorically speaking. The citizens should be in control, but corrupt government leaders are actually “running the show”. A land that was once known for economic and religious freedom has become a runaway train of self indulgence. My fellow countrymen are now attacking the Christian principles used to establish the United States of America, and if anyone thinks this country was not founded on Christian principles, there is ample evidence provided by Dutch Sheets, among others, at www.GiveHim15.com .

Most of the time, I’m a very optimistic person. I acknowledge that our words have power (Proverbs 18:21), and I believe Jesus gave us authority to pray, decree, and rule as the kingdom of God here on earth (Luke 10:18-20). I am greatly encouraged by mighty men and women of God who claim they’ve received inspired messages about America’s salvation. However, my siblings in Christ and I know that our Lord will not do anything contradictory to what he’s already said in Scripture. God disciplined the Israelites several times throughout history because they became lazy, complacent, enticed by exotic cultures, rejected God, or simply placed a higher priority on their own desires. If God’s own people could be so severely judged, who are we to think we can escape punishment?

In the book of Lamentations, God says in chapter 2, verse 14:

Your “prophets” have said so many foolish things, false to the core. They have not tried to hold you back from slavery by pointing out your sins. They lied and said that all was well.

How many people are saying a favored leader will return to save us? I emphatically hope he does, or someone does! However, don’t we deserve a little discipline for abandoning God’s holiness? Should a naughty child criticize a parent for a well deserved spanking or time out? Lamentations 3:39-40, agrees.

Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord…

In a previous post I shared about the difference between general guilt and godly shame (Not “The” But “Their”). If we are honest with ourselves, each of us can find in our past examples of unholiness. Still, judgement from our Lord is not the end of the story. His desire is to be merciful to us and restore us to right relationship with him (John 3:16-17). Therefore, each judgement of God comes with an offer:

For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. Lamentations 3:31-32

Reading through the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, the condition of the United States looks eerily familiar to the pattern of ancient Israel. If we, as Americans, have not sinned against the one true God, then why the turmoil in our country, in our churches, and in our homes? Is not the Lord a good, righteous, and just judge? Who’s past is more reliable and trustworthy, the God who never changes or human beings? Currently, I am going through menopause. In one day I can change from feeling very cold to very hot and sweaty. I can start the day happy and end up in tears or angry at everyone. I am not reliable. I am not trustworthy, but God is. We are sinful human beings, and we deserve discipline.

So, apparently I have learned something from the book of Lamentations! I am taking it personally, and I hope you do as well. Let us be careful who we are listening to. If we can admit our sinful nature, but we only hear optimistic and victorious messages, we might be feeding our ears, and our spirits, junk. I don’t like being in trouble, but I deserve it. Our Lord is a good God. He is a just and righteous God. I am thankful that his desire is to discipline me as a loving Father and not as an angry king. I will feed my ears with God’s word and trust his promises that after punishment leading to repentance, he’ll be waiting for me with open arms!

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Psalm 32:5 NKJV