THE DAY GOD GAVE UP ON THE WORLD – 2 Things We Can Learn

 

THE DAY GOD GAVE UP ON THE WORLD – 2 THINGS WE CAN LEARN

The title of this piece, at first glance, should catch even the coldest unbeliever’s attention. But for a believer, this title should create not just curiosity but some ire. And for the newest believer, I hope it would create some alarm.

What would you say was God’s thought toward the world if I mention the Great Flood of Noah’s day? Did God give up on the world, then?

Here is the first thing we can learn, and here is what the Bible says:

Genesis 6:5-7, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of mankind was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. So, the Lord was sorry that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. Then the Lord said, “I will wipe out mankind whom I have created from the face of the land; mankind, and animals as well, and crawling things, and the birds of the sky. For I am sorry that I have made them.”

God decided to destroy every living thing. So, I ask again, had God given up on the world? Was God giving up on you and me?

The answer is no. God had not given up on the world. This was to be God’s Great Reset.

Genesis 6:8 says, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

The floodwaters would destroy every living thing on the earth. But God would spare all those on the ark, including two of each kind of animal.

For 40 days the ‘fountains of the deep and the floodgates of the sky’, flooded the entire earth. Then, after 277 more days, the waters receded and the earth was dried.

Then God told Noah and his family to “bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you, birds and animals and every crawling thing that crawls on the earth, that they may breed abundantly on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

God never gives up on us, and God had not given up on the world. God had purged, cleansed and refined the world for a new beginning.

Interestingly, the Book of Daniel tells us another time is coming when God will destroy the heavens and the earth and all living things. Curiously, He uses language reminiscent of Noah’s day. But He will accomplish His Purposes by another method.

Daniel 12:10-13, says, “Many will be purged, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days! But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”

2 Peter 3:10-13, confirms that, “The day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.”

“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat.”

God will, once again, destroy all living things, because the wickedness of mankind will have become great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually. And once again, those who have hidden themselves in Christ Jesus will have God’s favor and will be spared.

God never gives up on us, and God will create a new heaven and a new earth, where we, who have found favor, will dwell with Him for eternity. God will purge, cleanse and refine the world for a new beginning.

The second important thing we learn is that God never gives up on us, and we should never give up on one another.

Jesus has told us to do all the things He has commanded us. Again, He tells us to do the works He has done and great works than those.

But the one thing Jesus has commanded us, which is paramount, is “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” (see John 13:34-35).

We, like Jesus, are to never give up on one another. From whatever position or from whatever location, you are never to give up on one another.

We are taught that we are to go even to this extreme: “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” (see John 15:13).

In closing, let me ask you what if in your time of need, you pray to God, and He would say, “I would like to help you or rescue you, but I am really, really busy. I have my own life to live, and I have other responsibilities. Besides, you have become hard to deal with. I will think about you, but you need to get yourself straight before I can get involved. I don’t want to be an enabler! You know? And besides, I didn’t sign up for this.”

Just reading such a thing should strike terror and extreme sadness into the heart of any believer. Of course, God would never say that. God will never leave you nor forsake you. He will never give up on you. (I am sure He will not needlessly coddle you or pander to us, but He will never give up on us, even if it requires that God will purge, cleanse and refine us for our new beginning.)

So, why would we sometimes think we can receive merciful and great things from God, but that we could withhold them from others? We should not and cannot! We must never give up, on one another, either.

If we call ourselves by His Name and depend on His promises, we must do what He says and do as He does.

Please, please dear friends, bothers and sisters in the Lord, let’s pray for one another and live our lives in service and humble obedience to Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young