There is an old adage which states, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This statement suggests that we shouldn’t prejudge someone based upon what we see on the outside. But what do you do when you begin to explore beyond the cover and dig into the chapters of an individual’s life and discover the cover didn’t lie, they are as rotten as you first assumed? Do you right them off as hopeless, a lost case, or as one destined to receive the displeasure of God? As Christians how do we avoid coming to certain conclusions about an individual’s life when the fruits they are bearing don’t lie?
While reading in the book of Jeremiah I stumbled upon something that gave me clearer insight on this topic. Jeremiah 43:10 says, “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.” Now on the surface you might not readily see any nuggets in this verse but the lesson lies in the title that God gives Nebuchadrezzar. He refers to him as His servant.
What’s interesting is that at the time God refers to him as His servant, Nebuchadrezzar or Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t even acknowledge God. He is living his life as a heathen king who actively worships false idols. As a matter of fact many years will pass before Nebuchadnezzar even gives God the honor that He is due. Yet while he is in his confused state God still refers to Him as His servant.
Being referred to as a servant of God is not a light thing. Throughout the Bible we can see that that title is reserved for those who are righteous in God’s eyes. Individuals like King David (Psalms 89:20), Job (Job 1:8), Joshua (Judges 2:8), and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 32:13) are referred to as servants of God. So how does a heathen king fall into the mix?
Well the answer is simple; God looks at our lives in their entirety. Being the all knowing omniscient God he understands that some of His “servants” will have periods of their lives in which they are far from Him. Some will even live lives that would cause the vilest offender to cringe. Yet God knows those who are His servants and will identify them as that even while they are still in their mess.
We weren’t blessed with the gift of omniscience which is why God instructs us not to judge. So as tempting as it maybe to draw conclusions about the individual who is undeniably living outside of God’s will, remember that even though you’ve gone past the cover of their lives and have discovered that the chapters of their life’s book stink, the final chapters are yet to be written. Don’t forget Nebuchadnezzar God’s servant. Be blessed.
If you have any thoughts about this post please share below.
Deep!! #thatisall