Psalm 107: 10-16
10 There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, 11 because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 12 Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help. 13 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. 14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. 15 Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! 16 For He has shattered gates of bronze and cut bars of iron asunder.
These guys made a big mistake --- they rebelled against God’s word and spurned His counsel and all because of their pride. Pride is a great deceiver, convincing a person that they are wiser than God and more powerful as well. These thoughts lead to independent or defiant actions toward God and He won’t have it. The next thing the rebels know they are dwelling in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains.
Saul, the first king of Israel, disobeyed God regarding the spoil in the battle of Amalek. He wasn’t supposed to keep anything, but when Samuel confronted him he argued that he had kept the best for sacrifices. Samuel’s response:
1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also rejected you from being king."
The basic principle of disobedience and its result:
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Yet even a rebellious person cannot stop the flow of God’s love. God humbled these with labor and they responded with a plaintive cry for help and God saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. In short He forgave them in response to their humble cry for help. Saul couldn’t find the place of forgiveness because he never was humble. But the worst of rebels who comes with a broken heart will find God willing to restore him.
Let the forgiven one give thanks for lovingkindness and wonders to the sons of men for He has shattered what bound them.
Comments