Misery No More

“Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD…And because the Israelites forsook the LORD and no longer served him, he became angry with them. He sold them into the hands…Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD… ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And he could bear Israel’s misery no more.” Judges 10:6-7, 15-16

The word ‘again’ is essential in relationship to God’s patience. The Israelites were warned over and over again regarding worshipping false gods. This sin was more of an appetite for them than one infraction against God that needed repentance. It was the meal in which they continuously fed themselves even though God was crystal clear on the matter. Like the Israelites we all have an appetite for certain sins in our lives that we know will always serve as a barrier to receiving God’s best. Thankfully God is a patient God and slow to anger, but in the end God must be God and deal severely with our sin.

He knows the motivation of our hearts and our willingness to lay our sin down whatever that may look like for each of us. At some point he will give us over to our sins as He did in the lives of the Israelites. It took them 18 years of being oppressed to finally surrender and repent. We are no better than the Israelites as we return ‘again’ to our weaknesses in our lives. God acts according to our relationship with Him. If we are active in areas in our lives that come between us and the heart of God He will set up circumstances wherein we will be forced to surrender that area.

Notice in the case of the Israelites their cry included turning from their ways prior to God’s deliverance. ‘Then they got rid of…and served the LORD…And he could bear Israel’s misery no more.’ God will move on our behalf and deliver us when we move to re-establish fellowship with Him in all areas.

Our fellowship with God cannot be part-time and must involve His activity in every area of our lives. Once we align our hearts and actions with God’s heart, He will move Heaven and earth on our behalf.

‘…and he could bear Israel’s misery no more.’