23/11/2012 - THE FATE OF THE REBELS

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Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons, because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High.

Psalm 107:10-11

Surprising as it may seem, there are people who rebel against God’s Word. Although it is the Revelation of God, which shows the path to eternal happiness and, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, enables us to see the chaotic world in which we live, there are individuals who do not want to heed it because they’ve been convinced by the enemy that they’re missing opportunities in life for believing in the Almighty. However, the truth is exactly the opposite.

The children of Israel lived in Egypt as slaves – and slavery is the kind of life led by those who haven’t been delivered by the Lord. Actually, when we live without God, the power of darkness – sin, diseases and other hardships – keeps us stuck in the most terrible and humiliating wrongdoings, depriving us of health and peace, as well as preventing us from being accomplished in life. This situation only changes with the conversion to the Truth by accepting the Lord Jesus as Savior.

Eventually, the Israelites heeded Moses, who had been sent to take them out of captivity. But as soon as they found themselves freed, the urge to eat the spices of Egypt filled their soul with rebellion, causing them to despise the counsel of the Most High. There are many people doing the same thing the Israelites did – they were delivered from witchcraft, idolatry, addictions and other wrong practices but they missed their old life.

Such individuals do not realize it, but according to the Psalm quoted above they are sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. The worst thing is that they do not wake up and the wicked one has already claimed the lives of their relatives, destroying their health and property. They let themselves be dominated by evil and take pleasure in the errors of this world. If they continue this way, they won’t get too far because the devil will utterly destroy them.

He who lives in the shadows of death has no future for the commander of this region is the one who causes all kinds of misfortunes and defeat in a person’s life. The only thing that allows men to live well with their head held high is faith in Christ. With Jesus there is no suffering or misfortune, but only success because this is the way in which He leads all those who put their trust in Him.

So why be bound by affliction and irons if the Master frees us forever from captivity? If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8.36). If your life has no more meaning and you have become a slave to sin and passion has taken hold of your heart, run back to the arms of the Lord Jesus.

The only way out is to draw near to Christ for He frees all those who labor and are heavy laden (Matthew 11:28). So, once you have experienced God’s kindness you’ll never want to obey the enemy anymore and you’ll act carefully to avoid the same fate of the rebels.

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares