Rebelling

God is concerned about how we live the normal days of our lives.

“Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right!” Isaiah 1:16b-17a NIV

“’If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.’ For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:19-20 NIV

“But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.” Isaiah 1:28 NIV

In Isaiah 1, God is asking why his rebellious people do not turn to him after they have experienced his discipline for their rebellion.

So, why don’t we?

I have stopped to examine what has been happening in my life. A difficult situation in my life just will not go away or get better. It gets some better just to become devastating again. By now I recognize the pattern. I become comfortable in my behavior, I become confident in my ability to handle a situation, and I proceed in my own power. Sometimes I may pray about it after I have decided what I am going to do for the purpose of convincing myself that my self-direction will have God’s blessing. But God will not be manipulated. He punishes my lack of reliance on him. I have experienced God’s loving but painful discipline. God has been right in his discipline of me.

Lord, teach me your way of doing right.