“The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served the Baals. They abandoned the God of their fathers who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them… So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers… He sold them into the hand of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm, as the Lord had warned… And they were in terrible distress.
“Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the Lord… Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt.., going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said,.. ‘I will no longer drive out any of the nations… in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord…'” Judges 2:11-12,14-22
“You have rejected me, declares the Lord;
you keep going backward,
so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you—
I am weary of relenting.” Jeremiah 15:6
Repeatedly the people of Israel did evil, and over and over the Lord intervened with judges who would set things right. But God did not force Himself on His people, insisting they learn to worship rightly even as they refused to honor Him as Lord. An undivided heart must be exercised. (Psalm 86:11)
Present culture teaches not the fear of the Lord. The enemy has blinded us to His worthiness and twisted man’s perception of accountability. Living only for self and today, we’re deceived by the foolishness of idol-worship and cry for help only when we suffer from self-inflicted misery.
God’s mercy and love for His own are as boundless as His wisdom and might. All our infinite God’s attributes are infinite. But according to His holiness, He will not put up with repeated rebellion and unchecked sin. He relents from harsh judgment in compassion and pity, yet does not relent forever. He extends grace in lavish measure, yet it is not a license for continued sin. He goes after and stirs His people, created to reflect His image, to test and sanctify, not to leave in complacency. (Romans 6:1-2)
In what repeated sins do we weary our loving Lord? Do we lollygag in doubt, self-deprecation, or worry? What commands trigger rebellion? What entertainment promotes lust, greed, or coveting? Are we adamant about being in charge, but distressed when He brings harsh consequences for our poor decisions? He owns every right.
Gracious Lord, may Your word remain my joy and delight, Your pleasure be my chief desire, Your glory my end.
As the rain and snow 