2 Chronicles 21:10
“So Edom revolted against Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against his rule because he had abandoned the LORD God of his fathers.”
Life becomes chaos when we abandon the Lord. Moses and other prophets warned us of this. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 says, “See, I am placing before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.” That’s it. The disobedient king in this case is Jehoram. He started of his reign by killing all of his brothers. I understand being concerned about competition, but this was evil. That was the beginning. He lived contrary to Moses’ words; he abandoned the Lord and was leading the people poorly.
God was true to His Word. The king abandoned Him, so God allowed things to unravel. The KC Chief’s kicker was asked about the Paris summer olympics opening ceremony. He said, “God is not mocked.” I love that. Concise and to the point. With the king, God is fulfilling His Word. We should trust that He will. David said in Psalm 138:2, “I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.” God will be true to His Word.
This judgement is God’s mercy. Paul brings up this principle when he is telling one of his churches to remove a sinning brother from themselves. Here’s what he says, “I have decided to turn such a person over to Satan for the destruction of his body, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord”, (I Corinthians 5:5). His desire is for his soul to be saved. His other desire is for the church to remain pure. He encourages excommunication to achieve both goals.
In similar ways God allows difficult things to happen to those who act contrary to His Word. I am primarily speaking about christians. These are God’s children who have dedicated their lives to God. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” This is different than today’s passage. That is to the one who has abandoned God. The Hebrews passage refers to the slight course corrections God gives.
We will always have difficulties. I Peter 4:12,13 says, “Beloved do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed.” We are to rejoice at all times. Even during difficulties. He says we are sharing in the suffering of Christ.
We should be looking to Him at all times. Especially during difficulties. We should ask, “Lord, are You telling me something? If so, what am I to learn?” It may be a lesson, it may to change course. He will answer. If He doesn’t we are to go the way we think best, as long as it doesn’t violate scripture or our consciences.
This intervention that God does is an example of His love for us. Some require extreme measures, “destroy the body to save the soul”. I think that was the case with one of my brothers. I believe he was going back into sin and his health went south. I believe I’ll see him in heaven. A walking christian only requires slight course corrections. He may hear the quiet voice of the Spirit and respond accordingly.
David says in Psalm 32:9, “Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.” Staying with the horse analogy, a horse who knows his rider only needs the slight pressure of the knee to direct. So we should grow to the point where we only need a slight nudging from the Lord. Those who aren’t listening need the bit. Some of the movement can seem harsh. The idea is to teach the one to listen.
Lord, thank You for not abandoning us. Help us to listen better and to stay close to You.