Day 238

2 Kings 25:8-21; 2 Chronicles 36:15-21; Jeremiah 39:11-40:6; 52:12-27; Lamentations 1. “Time’s Up!”

         “The LORD, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple.  But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words.  They scoffed at the prophets until the LORD’s anger could no longer be restrained and there was no remedy” (2 Chron. 36:15-16).
         Contrary to what many think, the Lord’s patience does have a limit.  Peter noted, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise… No, he is being patient for your sake.  He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time… But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief…” (2 Pet. 3:9-10).
         Restoration is a beautiful thing, but there will be a time when its offer runs out.  You can’t rely on waiting until the last minute of your life to get things in order.  You may not have that opportunity.  The same will be true for mankind historically.  There will be a day when the whistle blows, when the trumpet calls.  Don’t wait too long to receive God’s promise of restoration, reconciliation and salvation.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Bible Discussion Guide:

• What part does hope play in the life of the believer and why does it matter?
• Define restoration (see Aug. 21).  Describe the process (some possible hints are found in the Aug. 24 devotional).
• A great testimony was shared in church some time back in which the individual described time in “the cooking pot” (a difficult time).  And one of his comments was a desire to back up the clock and do it over.  The Aug. 22 devotional describes the same thing.  Is there an upside to time spent in “the cooking pot”?
• Walk through the questions at the end of the August 23rd devotional.
• There are many prophecies describing the restoration of the nation Israel.  Things have already been fulfilled concerning Israel that many did not think possible.  There’s a fascinating prophecy in chapter 26 about the city of Tyre along the Mediterranean.  It prophesies how the ancient city would be destroyed so completely that its surface would be smooth and its stones would be cast into the sea.  Well, just a few years after the prophecy, Nebuchadnezzar laid a 13 year siege against the city, but didn’t totally fulfill all the details of Ezekiel’s prophecy.  He bothered it enough that the city rebuilt itself offshore on an island, and became again very strong, proud and wealthy.  But 250 years after Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great, 332 BC, determined to seize the city, and to do so he created a causeway to the island produced from the ruins of the former ancient city, moving every stone out.  Prophecy was fulfilled perfectly.
• What impact does fulfilled prophecy have on us?
• How does knowing God’s patience does have a limit affect the believer and the unbeliever?
• Personal application:  (Specific to August 23) Make it personal as you consider three of the factors to that situation: Have you been guilty of expecting God to get you out of the trouble you put yourself into?  Is it easier to ignore God’s warnings when things are going well?  Is it possible to just use God when it’s to our advantage?