2 Kings 13:25
“Then Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz again took from the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken in war from the hand of his fatherJehoahaz. Three times Joash defeated him and recovered the cities of Israel.”
God promised the land to Israel. However, when they looked away from God, they were invaded and lost land to the enemy. The opposite is true. When they returned to God, He would allow them to reclaim that land.
This is symbolic of our life our faith. If we follow God we gain victories in our lives. If we neglect Him, we lose control of things. One thing we should have is the peace of God (Colossians 3:15). That should remain in us like a lit candle. Ignoring and neglecting God makes it fade. Anxiety creeps in.
We are to walk in obedience. We are to obey the Word of God. The 10 Commandments is were it starts. We are to inquire into our ideas as to whether they are from God. If so, obey them. We are to love others and forgive them. We will have opportunities to deny ourselves. Take them.
Some may fear that we will be neglected when we deny ourselves. Quite the contrary. God fills us with joy. He opens opportunities for us that are amazing. We are truly winning.
Speak to the advancement into our lives, control over addictions and so on. That’s God’s will for all of us. To walk closely with Him. To love others. Those addictions that ruled our lives dissipate. He opens doors in our profession, He blesses and heals. We share our testimonies with those that know us. God begins to work in the lives of those around us. It’s a wonderful life.
Unfortunately there are many christians who live like Israel did for much of it’s history. That is they are living for themselves, not in obedience to God. For Israel, the enemies would harass them and capture part of their land. For the individual, the addictions would creep back in. Their relationships begin to suffer.
A believer could live their entire lives in disobedience. Matthew 26:58 has Peter in his time when he denied Christ, “But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.” It says he “followed him afar off”. That’s the state of many believers. They aren’t close to Him, they are dabbling in sin, their lives are suffering.
In a battle, there is the place between the two armies called “No man’s land”. They aren’t in in the safety on God’s side and they are giving way to sin, so they are listening to the enemy. They are exposed to the enemies lies and doubts. They are in “No man’s land”. They are getting beaten up, captured, then freed only to get beat up some more.
God allows natural consequences to enter to get that one’s attention. This is meant to draw that one back. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
I Corinthians 5:5 shares a sad possibility with some walking in disobedience, God will “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.” This sounds like God will take that one’s life to keep him from going to hell. He interrupts the disobedience.
Lord, thank You for all Your blessings. Help us to walk in obedience to You. Thank You for the natural consequences that enter when we are going astray.