Sometimes, we become too complacent with many things (school, work, etc.). I became complacent towards the Lord. I only looked to him with all my heart whenever I needed him the most and then pretty much forgot about him after that. Then, the moment I do something against his word, he changes something in my life. It's just the way the Lord works to show that he is all powerful and to teach you a lesson. I admit that I am weak. I let my pride (thinking I could get by on my own when I got back from school) and my emotions get the best of me, and I am most certainly paying for it. [Proverbs 16:5]
In [Hosea 11:4], the Israelites were stuck in the desert with nothing to eat. The Lord cared for them because he loves them, and provided them with food to eat. But then the Israelites were oblivious that it was God that had helped them out. The Lord was forgotten once they became satisfied [Hosea 13:4-6]. The Lord became angry with them and took their king away [Hosea 13:11].
King Solomon also showed his disrespect towards the Lord by disobeying his command [1 Kings 11:1-13]. Solomon held his love with 700 wives from different nations. The Lord didn't want him to do this because they would turn his heart towards other gods. So as he grew older, he wasn't fully devoted to God anymore. Thus, he became angry with Solomon because his heart was in the wrong place. Solomon didn't keep God's command...so guess what the Lord did next? He told Solomon that his kingdom will be ripped away from him, but only being left with one tribe [1 Kings 11:13]. But the thing is, he was going to do this to Solomon's son. Not Solomon. But imagine how that must feel. Knowing that your child will be given less than what you had because of a selfish move that you made.
So what does this have to do whether God is real or not. Well it just shows the Lord's almighty power. He can take anything away from you in an instant; the moment you disobey his command. God IS real and you should be living in fear of what he can do to your life. This isn't some spiritual high that I'm experiencing because of the troubles I'm facing in my life. It's the fear of the Lord that is now fueling my life.
"Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them." - Hosea 14:9
"Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through fear of the Lord a man avoids evil." - Proverbs 16:6
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with teh Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
ReplyDeleteFor each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonged to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you the most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then I carried you."
"With all the earnestness I possess I tell you this: Unless you are born again, you can never get into the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3-7)
ReplyDelete"For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in him shall not perish but have an eternal life." (John 3:16)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be save, and your entire household." (Acts 16:31)