“All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations— a people who continually provoke me to my very face…”
Our arrogant resistance to God seems to astound Him… it should astound us as well. How can we be so reckless as to continually do things that God has forbidden? In our stubbornness we ignore undeniable truths and push on with indefensible actions.
My life is defined by what I do. And what I do is dictated by what I believe. If I trust in the lies of this world I will build on sinking sand. I will pursue nonsense, which will lead to foolish decisions, which will lead to difficulties that will lead to more foolish decisions. If we continue this self-perpetuating delusion, we will become “obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations”.
Look around… that’s happening today. When did we decide that facts and truth should take a backseat to feelings and imaginations? When did we decide that “thus sayeth me” is more important than “thus sayeth the Lord”?
In our backyard we have a fire pit, and I love to spend time around it. The flickering light, and the warmth it provides, are comforting on cool nights. But when the wind shifts, and blows smoke in my face, my relaxation ends, and I just want to get away from it…. It breaks my heart that, based on our passage, my actions can make God feel the same way. Our continual provocation of God to His face is not only stupid it is dangerous.
One of the most frightening things God can say to a man is “have it your way”. And after we ignore His blessings, twist His commands, and provoke Him to His face we can expect Him to let our foolishness produce what it always produces…suffering. Like children insisting on touching a hot glowing stove, if we continue, we get burned.
He has revealed Himself to you. He has made salvation easy to find… Stop the insanity and follow the truth. Jesus stated that He is the way, the truth and the Life… everything else is a dead end, a lie, and leads to darkness.
“God’s patience is not to be abused. He will not always bear with the provocations of men.”
- John Owen
My reading this morning was proverbs 15, I think this reaffirms our need for discipline and following our Lords commands. His way is better than our own, may we trust him in all that we “ Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil”.
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