Repent

Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. [Romans 11.22]

God's curses on disobedience seem harsh. God's curses are punishment and, it is severe.

We really need to evaluate what we think of God regarding anything in our lives that finds its definition under the curses found in Deuteronomy 28. 

In other words, if we are suffering hardship, loss, sickness, etc. then we need to understand that our circumstance is revealing to us our condition. Yes, it seems harsh. No, we don't like to deal with it.

If we think about it, curses, to a believer, are a blessing in that they reveal to us our condition AND NEED FOR REMEDY! It is a kindness that God corrects those He loves SO THEY MIGHT REPENT AND BE RESTORED.

Now, let's be very clear, curses are not blessings. I know it sounds stupid, but we have far too many religious doctrines that have done nothing but confuse people by leaving repentance out of the equation and saying "bad things" are blessings from God - and that's it. No, that is not it - God's punishment is for one purpose and one purpose alone - to correct us. To "correct" us means to make us correct - to make us get right - to make us change our minds and our ways!

When tragedy strikes, we are far too quick to self-proclaim innocence instead of repenting. Who wants to admit guilt anyway? "I haven't' done anything wrong!" But who can say they really know their own heart? THEY CAN'T! God made it clear that our hearts are desperately wicked and THAT WE CANNOT KNOW THEM! So, why would we EVER claim innocence when our circumstances (controlled by God) say otherwise?

We just need to repent and stay repentant. It will serve us much better to be repentant. I will distinguish here that repentant and condemned are two different things - I am not suggesting that we allow condemnation on our lives. I am suggesting that we repent!

It is simple - we just need to do a lot of repenting. The more we see curses, the more we need to repent! It's not that hard, but it sure goes against our pride. Pride is the number one on God's list of things He hates. Hello.

Father, my circumstances glaringly declare that I need to repent. I don't know my wicked heart - forgive me for thinking I do. I am nothing without Your help and Your life - Your Son Jesus.