God’s Judgment Is Certain

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
–Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because God does not strike us the moment we sin, a lot of people think, “Maybe He really does not care about my sin. Maybe He does not even really exist.”

Do not ever confuse God’s patience with God’s tolerance for sin. The only reason He does not bring judgment immediately is that He is a kind and loving God, “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He gives people a chance to repent, but there comes a time when God says, “Enough!”

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah reminds us that God’s judgment is certain. Ezekiel 16:49-50 says, “This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.”

On the day it was destroyed, Sodom was enjoying great prosperity. The people probably thought, “If things are going so great, then God must be pleased with us. Maybe God does not even exist.” But in a period of a few moments, God’s judgment rained down upon that city.

I think it is going to happen to the United States as well. For over two hundred years, we have enjoyed God’s blessing. But we continue to sin against Him. We continue to promote sexual perversion. We continue to kill millions of innocent children in the womb. We continue to say that false gods are equal to the one true God. How long do you think we can continue doing that and not experience God’s judgment? Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, famously said, “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” Although God’s judgment is not always swift, it is always certain.

That principle applies to your life and my life individually as well. Maybe right now you are sinning against God, and you cannot understand why things are going so well in your life. You think, “Why am I so fulfilled if God is really displeased with me?” Do not confuse His patience with His tolerance for sin. Yes, God is loving, He is kind, He is patient, but there comes a time in your life when God will say, “Enough.”

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “When God Says, “Enough!”” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2009.

Ruth Graham, as quoted in Billy Graham, “My Heart Aches for America,” July 19, 2012, https://billygraham.org/story/billy-graham-my-heart-aches-for-america/.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org