🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
A HOLY GOD AND A FALLEN WORLD
The word "judgment" makes many people tremble. We picture lightning, fire, and destruction.
But hear this first: "God does not do evil and cannot be found with evil" — James 1:13 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.”
Habakkuk 1:13 “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing.”
So how then does a Holy God judge?
The answer will shock many: Often, the judgment of God is Him withdrawing His presence and protection.
1. THE NATURE OF GOD: LIGHT, NOT DARKNESS
1 John 1:5 “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
God is not the author of confusion, sickness, or disaster. Evil comes from Satan, from sin, and from man’s rebellion.
So when we see nations in chaos, homes broken, and lives wasted, we must ask:
Is God doing evil? No.
Is God allowing man to reap what he has sown? Yes. — Galatians 6:7
God is like the sun. When you step out of the sun, you don’t say "the sun attacked me."
You simply entered darkness because you left the light.
2. THE PRINCIPLE OF JUDGMENT: WITHDRAWAL
Throughout scripture, God’s severest judgment was not always striking, but stepping back.
A. ADAM AND EVE — Genesis 3:23-24
When they sinned, God did not kill them instantly. He withdrew.
"So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden"
The moment God’s presence left, thorns, sweat, sorrow and death entered. That was judgment.
B. SAUL — 1 Samuel 16:14
"Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him."
God did not send the tormenting spirit to sin. He withdrew His Spirit. And the vacuum was filled.
That was judgment.
C. ISRAEL — Hosea 5:6
"When they go with their flocks and herds to seek the Lord, they will not find him; he has withdrawn himself from them."
They cried for help, but God’s hand of protection was lifted because they embraced idols.
D. THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA — Revelation 3:20
Jesus was standing outside the church door knocking.
The church was rich, but Christless. That is judgment — to do church without Christ.
3. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN GOD WITHDRAWS?
When God withdraws His presence and protection, 3 things happen:
1. CONSCIENCE GOES DARK — Romans 1:24, 26, 28
"Therefore God gave them over..." three times.
He gave them over to impurity, to shameful lusts, to a depraved mind.
Judgment is God saying: "Have it your way." And the result is chaos.
2. PROTECTION IS LIFTED — Psalm 91:1
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."
Step out of the shadow, and the enemy, the world, and your own flesh attack.
Job’s hedge was removed for a season — Job 1:10. That’s how vulnerable we are without God.
3. BLESSING DRIES UP — Deuteronomy 28:20
"The Lord will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to..."
Not because God is wicked, but because every good and perfect gift comes from Him — James 1:17.
Remove the Source, and the source dries.
This is why sin is so deadly. It does not just break rules. It breaks relationship. And without relationship, we are exposed.
4. BUT GOD’S JUDGMENT IS STILL LOVE
Even withdrawal is redemptive. It is a Father’s last tool to bring a prodigal home.
Lamentations 3:33 “For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
Ezekiel 33:11 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”
God withdraws so we can feel the emptiness of life without Him.
So we can cry like the prodigal: "I will arise and go to my Father." — Luke 15:18
5. THE WAY OUT: RETURN TO THE PRESENCE
Judgment is not the final word. Mercy is.
2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
How do we return?
1. Repentance — Turn from sin. Agree with God that it is evil.
2. Return — Come back to the Cross. Joel 2:13 "Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate."
3. Reaffirm — Invite His presence back. Psalm 51:11 "Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me."
When God returns, protection returns. Peace returns. Purpose returns.
CONCLUSION: CHOOSE LIFE
Beloved, God does not delight in judging. He delights in saving.
But a Holy God cannot bless what He hates.
So sometimes, the greatest judgment is God honoring our choice to live without Him.
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Do not wait until the hedge is down.
Do not wait until the Spirit is grieved.
Run back to the presence today.
Because outside of God’s presence there is death.
Inside of God’s presence there is "fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore" — Psalm 16:11
May the Lord keep us under the shadow of His wings. Amen.
— Apostle Edward Freedom
