10/03/2023 - THE DIVINE HAND AGAINST US

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However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.                                                            1 Samuel 12.15

Israel was to fear the Lord, respect Him as God, serve Him, and also obey His voice. This would cause the Almighty to work in and through them in their needs; thus, they would live well. To give proof of being a servant of the Most High is one of the best blessings that man needs to do, because with this, other nations will come and seek the Lord, who is present and true – but they failed.

Samuel’s guidance was the following: they could not rebel against divine orders. If they did, their people and their king would suffer. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had an obligation to serve the Most High, for God had done much for them. But if they did not listen to Him, His hand would work against them, causing them to lose their crops and the protection over their families.

Today, God requires the same obedience from His people, but unfortunately – many are not interested in being graced by God’s only means of helping them: faith. The wise never falter, but do what they are told, and for this they are envied. Now, we do not have to be afraid of envy, but act as the Father teaches. With God, we will never be put to shame (Psalm 25.3).

They could not complain about the Lord’s severity in punishing those who let the adversary deceive them, because God simply does not tolerate temptation (Habakkuk 1.13a; James 1.13). If they did not submit to Him, following the commandments to be revealed, they would be considered rebels for not taking up their mission.

We have a very noble calling: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1.8).

God’s hand will be against those who rebel against Him and His precepts. Take this seriously and don’t let the devil destroy your life. With faith and love, engage yourself wholeheartedly in God’s work and you will see how much He loves you. The statutes are not the Lord’s whims and zeal to keep us busy with Him, but for our well-being (Proverb 3.1-4).

The fathers saw the hand of God against them several times. Even in Egypt, where they were welcomed by Pharaoh, but later – by abandoning the Lord’s precepts and acting wrongly, they soon became servants to those uncircumcised. The Christian who does not adjust himself to the demands of the Word moves away from the divine protection and love. Later, when he realizes how much he has suffered and repents, he will be helped by God.

Why leave the path of peace and prosperity shown by the Most High? Those who love their heavenly Father – who keep and fulfill the commandments – discover that they are also loved by Him, thus, everything goes well for everyone (John 14.21). What will you do now?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares