Payday, Someday!

My dad was a great father. He was a hard worker, a good provider, was always there for us—he was dependable. Unlike some fathers today, he was involved in the lives of his children. Whether it was sports, or academics, or music, he encouraged us to be our best and to reach for the stars—and he was there to make sure we did. He was a great Christian man.

We knew he loved us, that was never in doubt. He was kind, compas­sionate and patient. But there was a limit to his patience, and we experienced that from time to time. And on a few occasions (okay, many occasions) I found myself on the business end of my father’s commitment to justice.

As we come to II Kings, we find that the infinite pa­tience of God has run out with Israel. After hundreds of years of rebellion, corrupted worship and flat out rejecting him, Israel has pushed God over the limit. After scores of prophets had warned them and called them to national repentance—to no avail—the nation of Judah will now face the consequences of sin.

Years ago I came across two different sermon titles that aptly describe this sad part of Israel’s history. Charles Swindoll called it, When God Says, ‘That’s Enough.’ Likewise, the well known Baptist preacher, R. G. Lee was spot on in his sermon title “Payday Someday!” That’s what II Kings 25 is all about.

The wrath of God is not a pleasant fact, but it is a reality. There is an end to God’s patience and a time when judgment is not only appropriate, but to withhold it would be for God to impugn his own character, emasculate his grace and empty his love of any real power. Judah had reached that point because of their continued wickedness—so God allowed their city to be destroyed, along with their cherished temple, and the children of God were sent into exile among the godless Babylonians.

There are some pretty sobering reminders in Judah’s story for us. For one, we need to be reminded that absolutely nothing escapes the watchful eye of God. Galatians 6:7 tells us, “Don’t be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” In other words, there will be a payday, someday. And we need to take that very seriously, because God does. He is a holy God who cannot tolerate sin. He won’t tolerate it in sinners, nor in saints. Murder, adul­tery, lying, cheating—God will deal with those “big” sins. Likewise God will not let us get away with the “little” sins either—anger, gossip, critical spirits, un-forgiveness. We need to be very sensitive in allowing the Holy Spirit to convict us of those things that are displeasing to God—and repent of them quickly.

Another reminder from Judah’s fall is that sin deafens us to God’s loving warnings. Judah didn’t see that the line-up of imprecatory prophets were really their friends, calling them back from the brink of disaster. You see that sometimes in rebellious teenagers rejecting the discipline of their parents or in people leaving their churches because their pastor has confronted them on some tough issues. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.” The next time you hear a warning from a friend, or a tough message in church, open your ears—and your heart. It is really a message of love.

In reality, do we take God’s demand for holiness all that seriously? We should, because God does. He is a righteous and just God who cannot tolerate sin. He won’t tolerate it in sinners, nor in saints. Murder, adultery, lying, cheating—God will deal with those “big” sins. Likewise God never winks at the “little” sins either—pride, gossip, un-forgiveness, a critical spirit, an un-generous heart. Galatians 6:7 soberly reminds us, “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” In other words, there will be a payday, someday. So make sure you’re working for the right kind of wages. And by the way, the next time you have a difficult conversation about this with a friend, or hear a solemn message about sin in church, open your ears—and your heart. It’s really God sending you a message of love.

Finally, Judah’s fall reminds us that God is always rich in mercy, abounding in grace, and he relents from sending calamity. King David, after his fall, said “a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) Ultimately the Jews humbled themselves and returned to God. God always responds to sincere humility, and we would do well to cultivate it.

Yes, there is always a payday, someday. Make sure you are working for the right kind of wages.

“If we are willing to accept humiliation, tribulation can become, by God’s grace, the mild yoke of, His light burden.” ~Thomas Merton

Reflect and Apply: Take a moment to reflect on James 4:10—then do it: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”