Submit Yourselves Therefore to God

How many times I have read the history of Israel and wondered how they could have missed it. How many times they heard absolute clear instructions from God and decided to rather go the other way. Here is such an account I read today.

 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah.  But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—  the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.  And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes. – Jeremiah 43:4-7  ESV

It kind of reminds me of some of James Dobson’s materials on how to raise children. I wonder how much attitude plays a role in how I engage sin. I am learning more and more these days that humility, the actual act of humbling myself, has really helped me avoid such obvious rebellion to God’s Word.

 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:6-10  ESV