What Shall We Do Next?

Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord . . . ?  (Isaiah 40:27)

Every now and then someone says to me: “What was once good is now considered bad, and what was once bad is now declared good. Does no one see what has happened to us?”

And I am then reminded of the history of all past civilizations, perhaps best illustrated by these two following passages of Scripture.  The first is about ancient Israel when she descended into open rebellion and rejection of God

"For now, O Ephraim, you have played the harlot, Israel has defiled itself. Their deeds will not allow them to return to their God. For a spirit of harlotry is within them, and they do not know the Lord." (Hosea 5:3-4)

The second passage, this one in Romans, speaks to the history of individuals who also love to hate God:

"For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing to be wise, they became fools."  (Romans 1:21-22)

Neither individuals nor nations who learn to persist in their rebellion against God can understand what happens to them along the way – until it is too late. God has not changed one iota during the last several millennia. He will still not be mocked by His creatures – whose very next breath lies in His control. When we insist on ‘my will be done” instead of “Thy will be done” – He responds, “As you wish.”

And so our deeds will not allow us to return to our God.

Is there yet hope? Yes, of course there is hope. There is always hope while there is still breath. But hope for us requires we do things His way, and not ours.

What shall we do next?