12/29/2011

The Man of Opportunities

"Then the Israelites threw away the foreign gods among them, and they worshiped the Lord again. So he felt sorry for them when he saw their suffering." Judges 10:16


"Fooled you once shame on him,
Fooled you twice shame on you"

God disagrees with the famous phrase above, since He breaths, eats, and sleeps, forgiveness and new opportunities, time after time.

Our sinful ways, hurt and wound his heart almost every day, yet if we turn back to him He always griefs with our pain and forgives us again.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

My four year old knows that when we go out to the store, If he behaves I will reward him with a heart on his good boy chart once back at home. When he forgets, and misbehaves, and ignores my warnings, he later comes begging for, "one more chance."

There is no better example, than the people of Israel, who seemed to have used up all their chances with God. In Judges we read about Israel and the many times they turned their back to God and worshipped other gods. We also find, ALL the many times, God's heart is found overwhelmed because of their suffering and chooses to forgive them, even if the reader knows this was their, maybe, fiftieth time running back for mercy. 

To hurt God, we do not need to worship the gods made of stone and wood, Buddah or Shiva. A simple lie, an inn appropriate thought, a small argument between you and your spouse, an out of control scream at your kids or criticism, envy, and pride, are all sins that hurt God. Even our busy schedule that not only demands but infact actually keeps us away from sitting down with our Abba hurts His heart. Whatever pushes you away from God, even if only an inch away, is evil, and causes Him pain. 

If you have allowed something to push you back an inch or two, or ten away from God, Your God, you will know because you can feel that void. He is the man if opportunities, even If it's your hundredth time coming back, He still rejoices at your return. He will still open the door and invite you to dine with Him- The Man of opportunities. 

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