The fear of God: The beginning of wisdom

A city that bears God's name can cry out to him and he will rise to their defence, but if a city chooses to forsake his name, how will he fight for that city? This is not to say that God won't listen to the prayers of his faithful servants when they intercede for their nation. Thing is, the nation itself needs to have a heart for God in order to reap the real benefits of an intimate relationship with God. We see an example of this in the Book of Daniel 9:19 when Daniel, a servant of God interceded for his city. He pleaded to God on behalf of his people saying:

"Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Note the words ' Your city and your people bear your name.'

Whatever was going on with the city in question, they still had something that served as a reminder, that they once had some sort of connection with God. Fast forward to this present world and you will realise the difference. What difference is that?  It's the realisation that this current world (with the exception of a few), no longer bares God's name. By that I mean, they no longer call on God's name in a public space. Countries who in earlier times, flew the flag for God by incorporating the word of God in their constitutions, have now stripped themselves of anything that remotely connects them to God.

This is evident in the way they restricted the teachings of the gospel from their educational establishments and limited the use of God’s word in their economy. It was not unusual to have a nation’s currency display the words ’In God we trust’. Some nations whose cultural, financial or economic institutions were established on God's word have now ceased from applying it to their constitutions.

Looking at the state of the world today, compared to when God was revered by the nations, there is a significant difference. The world is more chaotic, more hostile and less welcoming. Why? Because it has lost respect for the very God who made all things and forgotten who he is. So now they mock his name in anyway they can and at every given opportunity. However, it really doesn't matter what negative things anyone says about God. What matters is what God says about the world that he, (not us) created. The Bible says in Numbers 23:19 that,

'God is not like people. He tells no lies. He is not like humans. He doesn't change his mind. When he says something, he does it. When he makes a promise, he keeps it.'
(Numbers 23:19, God’s Word Translation)

Jesus, who was God manifested in human form never (ever) sinned. The one thing we know, according to the Bible is this: due to the sin committed through Adam the first man that ever lived, sin entered the world. Which inturn, changed the world from doing the good will of God, to doing wicked (sinful) things. See Romans 5:12-19, New Living Translation.

 For this reason, God said he would, 'Create new heavens and a new earth (where) the former (things) shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isaiah 65:17. Also see Isaiah 65:18-25. Which means that God will rebuild the world back to the way he originally intended. And whether we like it or not, God's word will come to pass because God himself said this:

'...my word that goes out from my mouth, it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.'
(Isaiah 55:11, New International Version)

That is to say, it is not a matter of 'if the world will come to an end, but when. Though no one knows the exact day when Jesus will return, it's a certainty that it will happen. Jesus said this in Matthew 24:36,

"concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Matthew 24:36

Thing is, when it does happen where will you be? Will you be on God's side or will you be against him? Let's remember that before the world ends, God is giving every single one of us the chance to repent from our sinful ways. Ways he described as 'wicked'. See Ezekiel 33:11

Failure to accept God's offer to make the earth right again, will lead to eternal separation from God. So what choice will you make? Will you choose to have the fear of the Lord again or will you choose to be eternally separated from God? Before you answer that question, I urge you to pause and take a quick look at the state of the world today. Do the things happening in our world today show wisdom or lack of judgement? Then decide who you want to follow, God or the world? Remember, the decision you make will become final once you leave the earth.

Also, what makes a city are the people who inhabits it. God created the nations from a man called Abraham. The Bible says in the book of Genesis 17:5 that God told Abraham,

“….You will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.”
(Genesis 17:5, New Living Translation)

Since God made the nations through Abraham, it means that a nation whose heart is not right with God, represents a people whose heart is not right with God. So, how can things be made right in our cities or our nations? It can only be made right, if we turn back from our ‘wicked sinful ways’ to having the fear of God again. The bible says in Proverbs 9:10 that,

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’
(Proverbs 9:10, New International Version)

Which means, for a nation to make wise decisions, they need to have a profound respect for God. Something the world lacks today. When the nation of Isreal turned away from God, he told them this in the book of Ezekiel 33:11,

“As surely as I live…I take no pleasure in the death of wicked (sinful) people. I only want them to turn from their wicked (sinful) ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness (sinfulness), O people of Israel! Why should you die?

Today, God is saying the same thing to you, the people that make up his nations, ‘turn back to God’. Why not think carefully about God’s words, because he is waiting to receive you with open arms and it's never too late to turn back to God.