INTRODUCTION

The Israelites displayed much stubbornness and rebellion during their years in the wilderness. That is precisely what caused them to die out there. They just would not do what God told them to do! They would cry out to God to get them out of trouble when they get into a mess. They would even respond to His instructions with obedience - until circumstances improved. Then, repeatedly, they would go right back into rebellion.

"That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but might keep His commandments

And might not be as their fathers - a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their hearts aright nor prepared their hearts to know God, and whose spirits were not steadfast and faithful to God" (Psalms 78:7-8).

This same cycle is repeated and recorded so many times in the Old Testament that it is almost unbelievable. And yet, if we are not walking in wisdom, we will spend our lives doing the same thing.

I suppose some of us are just by nature a little more stubborn and rebellious than others. And then, of course, we must consider our roots and how we got started in life, because that affects us also.

The Lord demands that we learn to give up our own way and be pliable and moldable in His hands. As long as we are stubborn and rebellious, He can’t use us.

It is not enough to reach a certain plateau and think, “I’ve gone as far as I’m going to go.” We must be obedient in all things - not holding back anything or keeping any doors in our lives closed to the Lord. We all have these “certain” areas that we hang on to as long as possible, but we are encouraged to remember that a little leaven leavens the entire lump (1 Cor. 5:6 KJV).

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Shared by @revjohno, courtesy of Joyce Meyer.