God's Clarion Call To Repentance

       I am a firm believer of God's Word in Amos 3:7 that states, "Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets."  In this season, God is speaking to Kenya; His message is clear and loud, and that is why I have chosen to use the words "clarion call" in my topic of reflection.  The call also comes with urgency.  We cannot afford to procrastinate to respond to the clarion call.  We must act and act immediately in obedience!

God's nature is love, compassion, patience and mercy.  All through scripture, we see that nature consistently being demonstrated.  For example, In the Old Testament, God's rich forbearance and His incomprehensible love for Israel is clearly revealed.  Jeremiah chapter 2 gives us an overview of Israel's gross sin:

7 I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.

8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.

9 “Therefore I bring charges against you again,” declares the `LORD. “And I will bring charges against your children’s children.

13 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

19 Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.

20 “Long ago you broke off your yoke and tore off your bonds; you said, ‘I will not serve you!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every spreading tree you lay down as a prostitute. 

Israel had defiled the land of their inheritance through idolatry, blasphemy, greed and immorality.  Yet even in their defiled state, God continued to reach out to them and call them to repentance.  In Jeremiah chapter 3, God repeatedly uses the word "return", urging the Israelites to repent their sins for their restoration.  For example, Jeremiah 3:22 states, "Return, faithless people, I will cure you of backsliding.” What manner of love is this? 

 His love is relentless in searching out for us, even in our darkest pits of wickedness! 

 

Sometimes, people have mistakenly perceived God as being slow to punish the wicked and avenge for the righteous.  However, this supposed slowness only arises out of His patient and loving nature that desires that all should reach repentance.  2nd Peter 3:9 states, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  We must always guard our hearts from the deception that God has accommodated and tolerated our sin.  God's eyes are too pure as to behold evil and He does not tolerate wickedness (Habakkuk 1:3).  We must never show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, for God’s kindness ought to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4).

As a nation, we are guilty of idolatry; immorality; blasphemy and mocking God; greed; oppression and injustice of the vulnerable in society; pride; tribalism and shedding of innocent blood.  Notwithstanding, God has been exceedingly gracious and merciful to us.  He has not treated us as our sin deserves.  In our unfaithfulness, He has remained Faithful.  He has been patient with us, often rescuing us from the jaws of the devil and preserving us for His glory.  However, we have often taken His mercy for granted.  We need to understand that God will not strive with us forever.  He is Love, but He too is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).  Please note that after the Lord repeatedly invited the Israelites to repent in Jeremiah chapter 3, He went on to warn them in the next chapter of His dreadful wrath  that would befall them if they did not repent.

Through His Word, God is speaking to our nation, Kenya:

Jeremiah 4:4

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,
    circumcise your hearts,
    you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.

Joel 2:12-13 

 Even now,” declares the Lord,
    “return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.

God is calling you and I to true repentance, which includes our hearts turning away from sin and bearing fruit that befits repentance.  Repentance leads to salvation (Isaiah 30:15) and life (Acts 11:15).  If we humble ourselves and pray, turn from our wicked ways and seek His face, then He will hear from heaven; He will forgive our sins and heal our land (2nd Chronicles 7:14).   A broken heart and a contrite spirit, God will not despise (Psalms 51:17).