27/11/2015 - The Mistake of Being Stubborn

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Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, with which you fight against the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the walls; and I will assemble them in the midst of this city. Jeremiah 21.4

It had been more than 300 years since Jeroboam had divided David’s kingdom – taking the ten tribes which kept the name of Israel – and more than 100 years that this kingdom had ceased to exist, when Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, invaded Samaria and took the people captive. The Most High, however, identified Himself as the God of Israel, proving that He does not see you as men do, because for Him you are what He created you to be, regardless of what you have become.

Your attitude towards God’s commandments reveal what you can receive from the Almighty. He continues to be your God and is ready to forgive you and give you back what the devil has been taking away from you. However, He cannot do it if you do not follow His commands. It is a big mistake to ignore the Lord’s commandments because you are at the bare minimum despising the wisdom and understanding you received. When the Most High gives us His commandments, He proves His love to us.

At first the Almighty had equipped men with powerful weapons to give them victory over the attacks of the enemy. Besides that, it was possible to dominion over the birds of the air, the fish of the sea and the animals that creep on the earth (Genesis 1.26). At the fall, Adam handed that power over to the enemy; however, upon His resurrection, Jesus deprived the devil of all he had stolen from men, and now, with the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God equips us again with power to defeat the forces of evil (Revelation 1.17-18).

Beware, though! Jeremiah told the people of Judah that, because they were playing with sin, the Lord would turn against them the weapons they had in their hands to defeat the enemy. It was a greater danger because the Babylonians would have access to the weapons God had given to Judah. Therefore, if you have been playing with sin, stop now and repent, so that this condemnation will not befall you.

What happened in the Old Testament is a warning to the people of the New Covenant. Those who allow themselves to be led by their temptations, never getting rid of them, and hiding under the veil of doctrines that go against the Bible, will surely suffer similarly (Revelation 22.18-19). The logical conclusion is that men will only be able to fight and win over his enemies when in obedience to the commandments. Therefore, think through what you have been doing with the faith that has been given you.

Take this warning seriously, but it is not the Lord’s definite decision. When you correct your behavior, He will surely take pleasure in making you victorious. The Most High has set two paths before us: life and death (Deuteronomy 30.19). Those who choose life are free from the attacks of the devil; but those who choose death validate the plans of the devil.

Judah did not pay attention to God’s warnings and, because of that was taken captive. What will be written about you? Make the right decision and live a life free from the oppression of the enemy. Today Jesus is your Lawyer and your Helper, but tomorrow, He could be your Judge. What matters most is what you choose to do to your life.

In Christ, with love,

Dr. Soares