Are We to be Blessed or Cursed?

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Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24 (ESV)

20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Devotion:

            Today’s scripture ought to frighten the living daylights out of us. In this passage Jesus is saying to perfectly good-looking cities that in fact they were headed for hell. They had been the sites of Jesus healing and deliverance ministries, but they had not used this opportunity to repent of their sin and believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus compares them to cities in the Old Testament who if they had the opportunity to see these same miracles would have turned from their wickedness and followed God. Their failure to turn around and believe that Jesus was sent to them to deliver them from their sins would cost them dearly at the last judgement.

            How do we compare with these cities in the ancient Bible lands? As a nation we are not doing much better than these cities. Here in America anyway. In this country God blesses us. We may not see miracles such as Jesus did in those cities, however we have been blessed by God in other ways which we routinely take for granted. We are one of the wealthiest nations in the world. By far most of our citizens never worry about where their next meal is coming from. Even with the homelessness problems facing our country most people do not lack shelter.

            While there are always cases of individuals who do not enjoy the blessings that the majority enjoys, we should be grateful and worshipful of God for what we do have here in America. As we work to make America an even more just and prosperous place for everyone, we should acknowledge that we can do so only by God’s provision for us. If we will turn from our ingratitude and seek God with all our energy God may spare us the judgement that his justice calls for. Let us seek God’s face in prayer.

Prayer:

            Holy God, we praise you and thank you for all the blessings we enjoy in our lives. The nation in which we live has received good things from your hand. However, we have been slow to respond to the great blessings you have given us. Help us turn from our ingratitude and worship and praise you for all your gifts to us. Teach us how to live lives of gratitude and love. Amen.

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