Punishment

 I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.
Isaiah 13:11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/isa.13.11.ESV

If we have a sense of justice, this verse should encourage us. If we know our own hearts, it should also concern us. God will punish the world for its evil, the problem is that we are evil ourselves by nature.

We need God to atone for our iniquitous wickedness. The stains of our sins reek to high heaven. We need to be redeemed before God returns to judge.

If we're arrogant, even if it's at heart rather than overtly, we need to humble ourselves. If we're corrupt in our hearts, we need to clean up our acts. We need to cry out to God to transform us.

God is compassionate, and so should we be. We mustn't be ruthless and ungodly. We need to humble ourselves or God will humble us.

'O Lord God, may we ready ourselves for the great day of reckoning that is coming. Please humble us now so that we don't need to be ashamed upon Your return. In Christ's name, amen'

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