Somebody has said, “God loves us just the way we are – but He loves us too much to let us stay that way.” True! So, when we get off track, caught in some area of sin that we just don’t want to let go of, our loving Father will do what it takes to get our attention and get us back on track with Him.
Ezek 14:12-13 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying: 13 “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it.
When God’s people are persistently unfaithful, God will chastise them. In the Old Testament He brought physical calamity upon them, sending famine and desolation and letting them be oppressed by their enemies.
The key words are persistent unfaithfulness – not just sometimes falling into sin, but persisting in it. God says “I will stretch out My hand against it.” He will take action! So, chastisement of some kind for persistent sin is sure.
When we get off into some sin territory and stay there, our loving Father will act, and will make life unpleasant for us in some way to bring us back to Him. So, a Christian who is persisting in deliberate sin should expect not God’s blessing, but His hand heavy on them until they repent.
Hebrews 12:6-8 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Ron Franklin
