The Result of Being Stubborn
As we read the prophets of the Old Testament, we can see that the people of God were suffering from being stubborn. They did not listen to God, and they turned to idols. Being stubborn led to this, because they wanted to get their own way, and they rejected God's way. What did God do about it? Well, eventually Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were either killed, died from disease or starvation, were taken into exile, or stayed to suffer in poverty and disgrace. However, before those terrible consequences of their sins, there was a much more subtle punishment by God.(Hosea 4:16) He let them go their way and try to make it without His help. He does the same thing to us today.
People can be hard headed like a calf that is stubborn and won't stay in the pasture. When the people leave the pasture, God just lets them go and forage in the open country. What a vivid word picture for us. How much grass is there in the open fields? There is little to no grass there, so it leads to a constant search for enough food to just stay alive. Where is there to sleep in the open? There is no shelter or warm, just a cold night, with the danger of being attacked by other animals. Sounds like a lot of fun, huh? Well, it is not fun at all, but the stubborn people want to act like everything is OK, when they are starving, cold, and hurt. They do not want to let on like they have made a mistake. They even invite others to join them, because misery loves company. God allows this to happen to get us to come to our senses like the Prodigal son did when he was having to eat the pig slop. If we do not realize what we have done and turn back to the Lord, He will bring more consequences and destruction, but He does not want that to happen. Therefore, He gives us our freedom to suffer the result of being stubborn.
Where are you today, in the pasture being cared for by the Shepherd, or in the open country? Are you experiencing one problem after another with no blessings? You are probably in the open country if that is the case. The only way out is to swallow your pride and get back to doing life the Lord's way.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 7-9.
People can be hard headed like a calf that is stubborn and won't stay in the pasture. When the people leave the pasture, God just lets them go and forage in the open country. What a vivid word picture for us. How much grass is there in the open fields? There is little to no grass there, so it leads to a constant search for enough food to just stay alive. Where is there to sleep in the open? There is no shelter or warm, just a cold night, with the danger of being attacked by other animals. Sounds like a lot of fun, huh? Well, it is not fun at all, but the stubborn people want to act like everything is OK, when they are starving, cold, and hurt. They do not want to let on like they have made a mistake. They even invite others to join them, because misery loves company. God allows this to happen to get us to come to our senses like the Prodigal son did when he was having to eat the pig slop. If we do not realize what we have done and turn back to the Lord, He will bring more consequences and destruction, but He does not want that to happen. Therefore, He gives us our freedom to suffer the result of being stubborn.
Where are you today, in the pasture being cared for by the Shepherd, or in the open country? Are you experiencing one problem after another with no blessings? You are probably in the open country if that is the case. The only way out is to swallow your pride and get back to doing life the Lord's way.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Hosea 7-9.