God Takes Our Suffering Very Personal
The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim; Israel was in great distress. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, "We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals."
The LORD replied, "When the Egyptians, the Ammonites, the Philistines . . . oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. . . .but please rescue us now."
Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel's misery no longer. Judges 10:9-16
The LORD replied, "When the Egyptians, the Ammonites, the Philistines . . . oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
But the Israelites said to the LORD, "We have sinned. . . .but please rescue us now."
Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And He could bear Israel's misery no longer. Judges 10:9-16
The relationship Israel had with God after the death of Joshua was a very checkered one. It was a constant cycle of loyalty and disloyalty. They were faithful one moment and unfaithful the next. They worshiped God one moment and clung to false gods the next moment.
During their times of disloyalty, God would inflict judgment by allowing their enemies to oppress and dominate them for years. The Israelites would cry out and God would raise a leader such as Gideon to lead them into battle to defeat their enemies and bring them relief. During the lifespan of that particular leader, the Israelites would faithfully serve the LORD. But as soon as that leader died, the Israelites would return to serving the false gods of Canaan.
Listen to the painful words of God as He describes the disloyalty of Israel "When the Egyptians, Ammonites . . . oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods . . . go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
The relationship between divinity and humanity couldn't be more personal than this! God was bearing out His raw pain to His children who had rejected Him. God had every right to reject them and leave them at the mercy of their enemies. But astonishingly, God relented. The Bible says, "He could bear Israel's misery no longer." Israel repented and God was merciful. God took the misery of Israel in a very personal way in spite of their sin. He could no longer bear it.
This is a refreshing insight into the heart of God. God desires an honest relationship with us. He desires loyalty and total commitment. Sometimes He would allow us to face the painful consequences of our disobedience. But He gets no pleasure out of our suffering. His heart is always broken when we suffer as a result of our disobedience. He takes our misery very personal. Would you reflect for a moment over the pain we cause God when we are unfaithful to Him? Would you resolve in your heart not to cause God that kind of misery? He deserves better!
During their times of disloyalty, God would inflict judgment by allowing their enemies to oppress and dominate them for years. The Israelites would cry out and God would raise a leader such as Gideon to lead them into battle to defeat their enemies and bring them relief. During the lifespan of that particular leader, the Israelites would faithfully serve the LORD. But as soon as that leader died, the Israelites would return to serving the false gods of Canaan.
Listen to the painful words of God as He describes the disloyalty of Israel "When the Egyptians, Ammonites . . . oppressed you and you cried out to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods . . . go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!"
The relationship between divinity and humanity couldn't be more personal than this! God was bearing out His raw pain to His children who had rejected Him. God had every right to reject them and leave them at the mercy of their enemies. But astonishingly, God relented. The Bible says, "He could bear Israel's misery no longer." Israel repented and God was merciful. God took the misery of Israel in a very personal way in spite of their sin. He could no longer bear it.
This is a refreshing insight into the heart of God. God desires an honest relationship with us. He desires loyalty and total commitment. Sometimes He would allow us to face the painful consequences of our disobedience. But He gets no pleasure out of our suffering. His heart is always broken when we suffer as a result of our disobedience. He takes our misery very personal. Would you reflect for a moment over the pain we cause God when we are unfaithful to Him? Would you resolve in your heart not to cause God that kind of misery? He deserves better!
Prayer: Father, I am sorry for the pain I cause you when I am disobedient. Please help me to remain faithful to you so that your heart will be filled with joy and not pain. Amen.