“There Was No Remedy”

Several years ago, when I first started showing neurological symptoms, my PCP sent me to a specialist at West Virginia University. Although she put me through painful test after painful test, a proper diagnosis and treatment eluded her (I’ll never understand why). The last time I saw her, Tammy and I sat in her office and she had some devastating news—there was nothing more she could do and there was no hope.

Obviously, she was wrong—a few years later, a neurologist would successfully diagnosis me and start me on an effective treatment; through medication and staying active, I do well. But sometimes there is nothing left that can be done. Such was the case with Judah—prophets had come and proclaimed God’s truth, but the people rejected the prophets and refused to heed God’s word. As a result, God’s wrath came down on them and there was nothing else to do.

The Chronicler recorded: “The LORD, the God of their ancestors, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place; but they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words, and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against his people became so great that there was no remedy” (2 Chr 36:15-16).

No remedy. No intervention. No hope. Nothing. The people were doomed to the judgment of God. The people would spend 70 years in Babylonian Captivity.

God had been patient with the people. He had shown love to the people. Yet, they had rebuffed all divine efforts at bringing them to repentance. They had ignored all prophetic warnings. God could do no more. No remedy remained, only judgment.

God desires folks today to come to repentance. He has sent his Son into the world. He gave us Scripture to guide our lives. He is patient, but one day that patience will be exhausted and only judgment will remain. There will be no remedy: “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come” (2 Pet 3:9-10).

Today there is a remedy for sin through the Lord Jesus Christ. But on that day when he burst through the clouds there will be no remedy. Seek the remedy today while it is still available through God’s love and grace.

This article was originally written by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., for the weekly newsletter at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.