TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY JULY 17, 2017.
REBELLION
DEFINITION:
Defiance; a spirit of resistance to authority; disobedience; revolt.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Proverbs 17:11.
These people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. Jeremiah 5:23.
For I know how rebellious and stiff necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am alive and with you, how much more will you rebel when I die? Deuteronomy 31:27-29.
We are rebellious by nature all the way back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve’s downfall was rebellion against God.
Every parent knows about the terrible “two’s.” Two year olds do not like the word “NO.” Just tell a two-year-old that he cannot do something or that he cannot have something and he will rebel -- guaranteed. None of us like to be told that we cannot have or cannot do something.
We are all rebels by nature just like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve found out quite quickly how God regards rebellion against Him. Because they disobeyed God and took from the tree that was off limits they forfeited a life blessed by God. Today, we all must deal with God’s penalty for Adam and Eve’s rebellion that came as a consequence for their sin.
The toughest job of Moses’ job in leading the children of Israel was dealing with their rebellion against God. They repeatedly rebelled against God. The consequence was severe. They spent 40 wasted years wandering in the desert. Even after all the miracles they had seen God do, Moses knew the rebellious nature of the Israelites had not changed. Just before handing the leadership of the children of Israel over to Joshua he said he knew how stubborn and rebellious they were and he knew they would rebel even more when he was not with them.
In Deuteronomy chapter 32, we read the song of Moses which was his last message to the Israelites. He reminded them of God’s blessings to them and warned them against rebelling against God and then commanded them to love and honor God and obey His commandments.
Rebellion is caused by pride. We think we know better than God and everyone else. It is especially arrogant to think we know better than God. Adam and Eve found that out the minute they sinned and rebelled against God’s authority.
We also rebel because of our lust. We desire something we do not have because it appears better than what we have.
We all know the story found in Luke 15:11-31 about the prodigal son. He was rebellious and took his share of his inheritance and left home. After he squandered away all he had, he recognized the folly of his rebellious nature and headed home. His father saw his starving son coming and despite the rebelliousness of his son he went out to welcome him back.
This is what God wants to do for us if we have been rebellious in our words or deeds. He is waiting with open arms to accept us back. All we have to do is recognize the sin of our rebellion and welcome him back.
Many parents today are concerned because of the rebellion they are witnessing in their children. If this is a problem that you are facing you need to show your children at all times that you love them and you are willing to forgive them, but that you will not tolerate their rebellion. Make sure you always set the standard you expect from them and then give them a fair and just punishment if they rebel. They must learn there is always a consequence.
Be consistent in keeping the boundaries and standards you have set for them. No matter how rebellious they are, always love them but be firm. The children of Israel were rebellious against God but He never stopped loving them. But He did punish them and they had to suffer the consequences of their sins and rebellion against God.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 95:6.
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
Help me this day to keep my heart tender and open to Your leading so that I will not let pride and lust lead me into a life of sin. Make my family aware that rebellion is sin. Forgive me of my rebellion and let my life be an example to my family of being obedient to God.
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