August 2

2 Chronicles 32-33
Sennacherib king of Assyria mocked the Lord to his own peril.  He ended up being murdered by some of the people who were closest to him.  It is a serious matter to mock God, or to mess with His anointed people.  There are a lot of people who use the Lord’s name in vain, many without even considering what they are doing.  Using God’s name in a deleterious manner is not only wrong, but it is extremely offensive, not only to Him but to His followers.  I try and have a positive influence, letting my light shine, on those who do not yet know my Savior.  In doing so, I must spend time among those who are in the world.  This opens me up to language that is offensive and derogatory.  Even though I understand that those using this kind of language are often ignorant of just how bad it is, it still hurts me to hear it, especially when they are using the Lord’s name in vain.  I often find myself asking those who do so, if they really want God to damn whatever it is they are applying the phrase toward.  Or when they are simply using the name of Jesus in an inappropriate manner, I will sometimes ask them if they know Him.  These questions will either spark a conversation, cause them to stop doing it, or offend them.  If they are offended, it is common for them to continue using these words just to needle me.  When that happens I simply back away and ask the Spirit to soften their hard hearts.  There will be an accounting some day, and God will not look kindly on those who have abused His name.