God Didn't Move; You Did
Many people wake up only to find that they are very far from God and His will for their lives. How does that happen? God doesn't move. He never changes. He does not drift from us, but we backslide from Him. (Jeremiah 3:22) We need to consider this process and the remedy for this miserable condition.
The most miserable people in the world are not unbelievers. It is far more miserable to be a believer who once knew the joy and peace of a close relationship with God, but now he or she is without that joy and peace, as they endure the discipline of a Loving Father. That is why backsliding is so terrible. It never has to happen. We make the decision whether to follow close after God or not. Most believers do not decide to rebel against God by committing a serious sin or turning their backs on Him completely. They simply stop spending time with Him and with the Body of Christ, the church. They gradually quit doing what God told them to do and start doing what they like to do, instead. Before they realize it the damage is done to their relationship with the Lord their God.
What is the remedy? Return to Him. Repent of your sin of backsliding. Confess the sin to God and begin doing what you know to be His will by spending time with Him and with your church family in worship. Then, keep doing that every day, obeying Him in all He shows you. Then, the relationship is restored and the peace and joy get better and better, as you trust Him every day as Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 4-6.
The most miserable people in the world are not unbelievers. It is far more miserable to be a believer who once knew the joy and peace of a close relationship with God, but now he or she is without that joy and peace, as they endure the discipline of a Loving Father. That is why backsliding is so terrible. It never has to happen. We make the decision whether to follow close after God or not. Most believers do not decide to rebel against God by committing a serious sin or turning their backs on Him completely. They simply stop spending time with Him and with the Body of Christ, the church. They gradually quit doing what God told them to do and start doing what they like to do, instead. Before they realize it the damage is done to their relationship with the Lord their God.
What is the remedy? Return to Him. Repent of your sin of backsliding. Confess the sin to God and begin doing what you know to be His will by spending time with Him and with your church family in worship. Then, keep doing that every day, obeying Him in all He shows you. Then, the relationship is restored and the peace and joy get better and better, as you trust Him every day as Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 4-6.