his may be the saddest and most melancholy sentence in the entire bible.  It is a word of anger that comes from the Lord.  Most of us are uncomfortable with words of condemnation, in particular when they come from God.  Some ponder over how God can be a God of love and at the same time a God of wrath.  We are unable to reconcile and picture a God who punishes His creation.

God permits humankind to express its “freewill.”  We are free to make our own choices and decisions.  In this freedom God permits us to sin, participate in evil, to be obsessed with hatred, immorality and ungodliness.  God’s patience is longsuffering.  

Oftentimes we convince ourselves that all is well because God allows such an arrangement.  However, all is not well!  God does get angry with His children, His people and nations.  He does get tired of our ways, actions and disobedience.

In this text, Josiah the king of Israel was responsible for reforming the nation.  He was responsible for setting things in motion and restoring dignity and integrity among God’s people.  Sadly, the words come; not that Josiah had done too little, but simply because it was too late.  It’s too late for reform because Israel was going into captivity.  Reformation was needed and in order, but God did not turn from the fierceness of His

wrath.

What a tragedy it is when you attempt to change things but discover it’s too late.  When you try to make amends and it’s still too late.  When you try to turn over a new leaf, but you’re haunted by your old ways.  When you try to do better but something has died on the inside---too late.

On occasion God has to release His wrath and place us in captivity in order for us to take inventory of our lives.  The state of our city and surrounding communities is a product of our own misbehavior.  In many respects we have failed as parents, leaders and as a people of faith.  For too long we have turned our heads,

shrugged our shoulders and sought to blame others for our lack of silence and “such is life” attitude.  Our families and community are in a crisis.        

There is some Good News!  It may be too late to undo the wrong we’ve done and the misery and pain we’ve caused but it’s never too late to come back to God.  It is never too late to serve God.  There is a right time and a too late time.  Some things need to be done right away.  We cannot play catch up all the time.  Some things must be done in the time frame they are supposed to be completed.  Otherwise, it’s too late. n