LORD, you are searching for honesty. You struck your people, but they paid no attention. You crushed them, but they refused to be corrected. They are determined, with faces set like stone; they have refused to repent. [Jeremiah 5.3]
Refusing to repent is just ridiculous. Refusing to repent is proud and arrogant. Refusing to repent disqualifies those who do do from receiving good from God.
There are so many arguments to be engaged in regarding punishment from God versus attacks by the enemy. There remains much to be learned about this topic as differing views abound among believers and unbelievers alike.
The thing that sticks out to me today is that, regardless what we think about punishment and by and through whom it is executed, repentance is necessary. There is only one reason anyone would not repent: pride.
When things go badly, why not just repent? Is it going to hurt anything to repent? No! In fact, repenting makes us ponder our condition. Repenting reminds us that we are not as good as we think we are. Repenting is an exercise of humility and contrition.
I must acknowledge my ignorance on this topic. But I don't think we can go wrong by repenting.
Father, today I seem to know less than ever... but repenting seems right. Forgive me for pride and arrogance. Forgive me for refusing to repent!
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