“He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, ‘Is there not a lie in my right hand?’"

Here's the tragedy of sinners: they cannot deliver themselves or escape. They are captives of the Devil. They cannot see their danger. Of all things, they are spiritually ignorant, and cannot be enlightened.

It takes the amazing power of God's grace. Things we understand and can prove, they cannot see and feel. They are deceived and cannot reason. They have no fear.

This horrible condition is a shock! The elect shall obtain it, and the rest are blinded. Romans 11:7 — "What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,"

What shall we do?

1. Preach the gospel in reliance upon God. Please him. Don't please any person in the pulpit. Be the most effective you can be by obedience.

2. Pray to God. Ask him to help people and save them. It's entirely in his hands.