2 KINGS 24

18 Zedekiah was twenty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

...we are at the end of the major epoch in the great plan of God-a time when things that had seemed unchangeable began to crumble and fall.

Such times call for deep foundations. Lives grounded merely upon the upper layers of immediate fact cannot stand the shock of these periods of earth-shaking transition.

Within the Household of God, the present time is of a similar nature.

The old landmarks are disappearing. Rifts are developing where solid rock was expected, and every individual is forced again and again to examine his own foundations to see whether they are still firm and unchanged, or whether they turn out to have been built upon what had only the appearance of stability.

Paul said to the Corinthians-

"There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Cor. 11:19).

Mere membership is meaningless. Each must stand upon a firm foundation of intelligent belief and perception, cemented by constant study. Vital decisions are being forced upon us. Only a daily and affectionate familiarity with the Word will make us ready for them. Those that are not ready will be weeded out and left behind.

"There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Cor. 11:19).

After the storm has passed, some houses will be left standing-some will have been swept away. It is hard, but it is necessary. The stones of the Temple must be sound and solid. In battle training, real bullets are used. A false move means death, even in the training period. It is hard, but it is necessary.

Facts are always hard, but wisdom will face them.

Bro Growcott - BYT 4.24.