This Is What Punishment Is For

Although the Arameans attacked with only a small army, the LORD helped them conquer the much larger army of Judah. The people of Judah had abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, so judgment was carried out against Joash. [2 Chronicles 24.24]

Even with a larger army, Judah could not resist the attacks of the Arameans. Why? Because Judah had abandoned the LORD and He was punishing them.

I must admit, I feel like I simply can't win at times. But what is amazing are the "spiritual" explanations I get from "believers." It is rare that I ever have anyone encourage me to repent. Instead I get explanations that God is just testing me, or has some greater plan that my misfortune somehow serves, touting that the Bible supports their explanations. 

More often than not, I am told that Job suffered for no reason and that Paul had a thorn in the flesh. Of course, neither of these explanations address the fact that Job had to repent because only God knew how to reveal the hidden deception of his proud heart (Satan didn't even know), and that Paul, by his own confession admitted his thorn in the flesh was because of pride.

And besides what the Bible really teaches (pointed out above), I struggle within myself to admit that pride, whether I know it or not, is usually at the root of my problems and that pride, by its very nature, makes me believe I couldn't be dealing with the sin of pride! Hello!

So, if my well-meaning, but ill-informed friends tell me I am okay (in my punishments) and my deceptive heart tells me I am okay, then I am okay, right? I mean, I read the Bible, pray, give, go to church, teach and encourage others to do the same, right? I couldn't have sin if I do all that, right? Right? Come on! Right??

Wrong. Judah abandoned the LORD and couldn't win no matter how small a foe they faced. God was calling them to repentance. That is what punishment is for.

While everyone else explains their punishment as 'random' events God allows on their lives, I am going to repent. God help me avoid pride even no matter how miniscule it is! I would rather be repentant and forgiven than proud and punished!

AND, may I NEVER embrace anything described as punishment for sin in Deuteronomy 28 without a broken heart and contrite spirit (repentance).

Father, help me to repent and keep repenting in the circumstances of punishment You clearly described in Deuteronomy 28. I repent right now because I am experiencing some of those punishments - those curses -  right now. Forgive me for pride in my heart that I do not even know about. Forgive me for arrogance about how many times I have read the Bible, or taught it, or how much I pray or give or that I don't cheat people. Forgive me for allowing any pride to exist in my life. Forgive me for the lustful wicked person that always wants to have his way, do his thing, and still be recognized as "spiritual" regardless of the unredeemed thoughts in my head. Forgive me for my unfaithfulness to You - just like Israel and Judah - repeatedly resorting to the "sins of Jeroboam" in trusting other gods (albeit not golden calves but science, medicine, my own knowledge, etc...) besides You. Forgive me for not trusting You and You alone.