I Will No Longer Deliver You

            “Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more.” (Judg 10:13)

In the Book of Judges, the Israelites were in a never-ending cycle of leaving God and returning to God. They would forsake God and worship idols of foreign nations. Then, when a nation turned on them and oppressed them, they would come crying back to God again. It’s like the parable of the prodigal son stuck in repeat. What if that were really how the parable went? Would the father even welcome back his son the second, third, or fourth time?

Think about your spiritual life. Are you sometimes just like the Israelites, stuck in a sin-repent cycle? Sometimes, you don’t even want to drink alcohol, gossip, watch porn, or play computer games. Yet, when it’s 4 a.m. on a weeknight, and you’re just starting to watch another episode, you know you’re addicted.

God did end up saving the Israelites that time because they got rid of their idols, and “He could bear Israel’s misery no longer” (Judg 10:16). God will forgive you only if you completely get rid of your evil ways, seek repentance with all your heart, and sincerely grieve. Think spiritual equivalents of tearing your clothes, wearing sackcloth, and walking around with a downcast face.

True repentance entails a permanent change in your ways. Get rid of your “idols.” Change your daily habits, your daily schedule, and your environment. Avoid going to places where you used to comfortably sin. If it’s in the home, clean and re-arrange things. Then, establish and commit to godly habits such as daily Bible reading and praying. You can’t put new wine in old wineskins. New wine belongs in new wineskins. You need to be completely re-vamped.

Change now. Never go back. Don’t wait for the consequences of your addiction. Don’t wait for God to say, “I will deliver you no more.”

            Questions for Reflection:

What repetitive, sinful habits do you struggle with? What attitude do you have when you seek God’s forgiveness?