Scripture reference: Judges 2:21-23

When the Israelites went into the land the Lord had given to them, God had commanded them to empty it of its inhabitants, so as not to be contaminated with the pagan religion and ways of the people who were living in the land. But the children of Israel did not do as God commanded them. Not only that, after the first generation of Israelites that had moved into the land died, the next generation did exactly what God did not want them to do. The began to marry with the pagans, and began to adopt their religion and their ways. As a result, God was angry with the children of Israel. And, in His wisdom, God knew that this choice of behavior would eventually result in difficulties for the children of Israel. So God decided that He would not help His people out of the difficulties they had brought upon themselves. Instead, God decided that the situation would provide the Israelites an opportunity to prove "whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not." (Judges 2:22 KJV)

Quite often members of the Church will do things they know they are not supposed to do. They will charge a purchase they know they don't really need and cannot afford to a credit card. They will enter into a relationship they know is not right. They will go some place they know they should not go to. They will do something they know they should not do. And then when they find themselves in a difficult situation, a situation they created, they suddenly expect God to get them out of it. They seem to think all they have to do is pray to God to spare them, and He will make everything alright.

This passage makes it quite clear that God sees such situations as an opportunity for us to prove our faith in Him. The question in His mind is simple, honest, and just. Will we continue to love God, be obedient to Him, and follow His ways, even as we struggle to get out of the mess we created? Or will we blame the difficulty we created on God, and turn our back on Him because He does not save us from the troubles of our own creation? Will be truly repent of our ways, or will we deny that we did anything wrong and worthy of punishment?

The Bible teaches us that if we are truly repentant in our hearts, and worship God in how we live our life, and call upon Him in the name of Jesus, He will provide us with a way out of trouble. For God is long suffering in His love toward us, and His mercy is everlasting. If we prove our faith in Him by accepting responsibility for our transgressions and continue to praise Him in the storm of difficulties we have created, He will pour out His grace and blessings upon us.

Of course, if we always follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus asked His father to send us we will not get ourselves into trouble. But, should we make a wrong turn and go down an wrong path and find ourselves in a field of thorns, we must remember that God is going to be watching to see if we blame and desert Him. Or will we repent of our mistake, and demonstrate the faith that following God and His ways is what is always best. Will we see the difficulties as an excuse to complain to God, or an opportunity to prove our faith?

May God bless you and give you peace. Amen.