Put On Your Spiritual Sackcloth
Jonah 3: 8-9 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
Sometimes we can get things so wrong as Christians. We can think that this life is always supposed to be about our comfort and happiness. Prosperity doctrine teaches us that money is how to gauge our happiness. Material possessions over spiritual maturity. I know too many Christians who pursue the things of this world over God. The result is what James described:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. James 1: 5-8
Christians who make unwise decisions; never consulting with the Holy Spirit within them. Christians who walk powerless in the world, tossed about by every new fad doctrine. Christians who are even unsure of their own salvation! New age Christianity is all the rage, as many are caught up in pursuing the wisdom of man. Just enough Christ to provide the illusion that it is a Christian venture but enough poison to kill you. Nothing but fine sounding arguments beloved:
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. Colossians 2: 2-4
The full riches of complete understanding are ours! All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are ours! We do not need any fine sounding arguments we just need to get back to the basics sometimes. The Christian walk is not always sunshine and rainbows. There will be times of trouble. There will be times of mourning. There will be times when we need to put on our spiritual sackcloth and get before God to seek the understanding and wisdom we are lacking.
Sackcloth is generally considered a rough, itchy material. It has no aesthetic value and is generally used for carrying things such as potatoes; not meant for a fashion statement. The Bible teaches us that there were three primary reasons why someone would put on sackcloth. The first would be for mourning:
