The Simmering Justice of God

645 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 21:2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; the children of Israel had sworn protection to them, but Saul had sought to kill them in his zeal for the children of Israel and Judah. (2 Sam 21:2) Famine and drought have come upon the land as a judgment from God against the Israelites for the sin of Saul against the Gibeonites. These Gibeonites are interesting people. It was by their sheer guile (and the grace of God) that they were able to survive the conquest of Joshua. If you recall the story, they had seen what Joshua did to Jericho and so they devised an elaborate scheme in which they put on ragged clothing and carried old bread with them to give Joshua the impression that they had traveled a long distance and had come to him seeking peace. They convinced Joshua that they were not Canaanites and therefore were spared annihilation. In Jos 9:19,20 we read: “Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, "We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 20 "This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them." Saul completely disregarded this oath of Joshua's and in his zealousness sought to eliminate the Gibeonites during his reign. This drought then was the wrath of God falling upon the nation because of Saul's disregard for this oath. It seems strange to us that this drought occurs long after Saul is gone, but it makes a strong case for God's penchant for justice. He doesn't forget His promises concerning justice. We may think that we are getting away with something, but God knows and God sees. Judgment WILL come, it is always stirring beneath the surface, but He also doesn't forget His promises of mercy. Mercy that is granted when by repentance and faith we turn to Jesus Christ for pardon. God's judgment against the national sins of America is stirring, but it is on hold due to His merciful desire to bring us to repentance. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. When will we heed and turn from our sinful ways?