Finding Tranquility in a Troubled World

Daniel 4:27
“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.”

It is no secret that we live in a very troubled world. When you take an honest look at our present-day society, you see a society that is filled with depression, drug addiction, suicide and anger. In an attempt to find tranquility for a very troubled life, many have run to prescription drugs, vices and psychological counseling.

The Pressure of Growth

Ezekiel 47:7
“Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.”

Many times when a child is going through a growth stage, they will experience growing pains. What is interesting is that they don't know why they are having pain, but their body is going through the pressure that growth causes. 

Look at the “I Will”

Ezekiel 28:2
“Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:”

Pride is always the source of every sin. You tell me the name of a sin, and we will discover at the source of that sin is pride. This is why God said in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

When the Sinner Comes Home

Ezeky 18:21
“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.”

Though God must judge sin, it is encouraging that He always anticipates the wicked to “turn from all his sins.” In Ezekiel’s sermon to Israel, God had already judged Israel; however, God still expected their repentance, and in His anticipation He showed how the wicked should be treated when they decide to repent of their sinful ways.

Money Mindsets

Psalm 62:10
“Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.”

Whether or not we like it, money is a part of life. You cannot pay your bills without money. You can't enjoy your time away with the family without money. Money is necessary to function in life. Your mindset concerning money will affect your Christianity. 

Five Steps to Spiritual Decay ​​

Jeremiah 7:28
“But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.”

What a powerful statement, “truth is perished.” The word “perished”means: to wither or decay; to waste away; to come to nothing; to be rendered useless. In other words, God was saying that Israel didn't suddenly die, but they died a gradual death. Israel didn't go from being the most powerful nation in the world to a nation that perished overnight; no, it was a gradual death. For God to say that truth perished, He is saying that there was no more hope for Israel. Hope is gone when “truth is perished.”