Taught by judgement

Isaiah 26:9-11 CSB

I long for You in the night; yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks You, for when Your judgments are in the land, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. [10] But if the wicked man is shown favour, he does not learn righteousness. In a righteous land he acts unjustly and does not see the majesty of the LORD. [11] LORD, Your hand is lifted up to take action, but they do not see it. Let them see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. Let fire consume your adversaries.

Learning the hard way often is the only way we truly learn.

We can read what is right, but it will go over our heads if it doesn't penetrate the heart.

This passage tells us that when God, in His pure goodness, stops us in our tracks with His judgements, we are truly taught.

It's the hard way.

Perhaps the nations of the world are being led into a time of the Lord's judgements.

Those who stubbornly refuse Godly correction, and, there are those who will, are going to be burned by their own stubbornness!

Could it be that we don't see the upraised Hand of the Lord over the nations?

The Lord has a zeal for His people that is concealed from those who spurn God's Word.

Time and time again in Scripture we read of the special unbreakable promises of God to His Chosen.

We ignore these at our own peril.

Psalm 2:1-12 CSB

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? [2] The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and His Anointed One: [3] "Let's tear off Their chains and throw Their ropes off of us." [4] The One enthroned in Heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them. [5] Then He speaks to them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath: [6] "I have installed My king on Zion, My holy mountain." [7] I will declare the LORD's decree. He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. [8] Ask of me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession. [9] You will break them with an iron scepter; you will shatter them like pottery." [10] So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. [11] Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling. [12] Pay homage to the Son or He will be angry and you will perish in your rebellion, for His anger may ignite at any moment. All who take refuge in Him are happy.