The Dangers of Disobedience
God has promised discipline for His children whey they disobey him.
- Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
God’s discipline may be revealed at different times, in different ways and in different amounts: but it is always perfect. Let’s look one specific Biblical example.
When the Jews started returning to Jerusalem after the captivity in Babylon, they were initially under the leadership of Zerubbabel (the governor of Judah) and Joshua (the high priest). One of their primary purposes was to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. However, because of some opposition and disruption from outside the Jewish community, and some indifference and selfishness within, the work on this important project stalled.
Sixteen years later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were commissioned by God to confront Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people of Jerusalem with their disobedience in completing this important project. Haggai tells them the results of their disobedience:
- Haggai 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
Under the conviction of God brought forth by the prophets, and following the leadership appointed by God - obedience and hard work led to the temple reconstruction project being completed in just four years!
So what does any of this have to do with you and me?
God has clearly called Christians to glorify His name by:
- Sharing the gospel message
- Acts 1:8
- Showing the love of Christ through good works
- Matthew 25:34-40
- Displaying the character of Christ in our daily lives
- John 13:15
- Keeping His commandments
- John 14:15
If we are disobedient to His call on our lives, I believe Haggai 1:6 can apply to us in the following ways:
- Ye have sown much, and bring in little;
- Our work will not produce the expected results.
- ye eat, but ye have not enough;
- The results we do see will not satisfy us.
- ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink;
- Other basic needs we have will go unmet.
- ye clothe you, but there is none warm;
- Even the most fundamental good works we do will not minister effectively to those in need.
- and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
- We can become negligent stewards of the resources provided by God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, blessed be Your Holy Name. I pray for strength, wisdom, courage and the desire to fulfill Your call upon my life. May every aspect of my life be acceptable in Your sight. Your discipline is always just what I need, although I don’t always I understand that, I know that is true. I long to obey You, not just to avoid Your discipline, but to bring glory and honor to You. Help me to see the difficult circumstances in my life as indications that I may be failing You in some area. Give me discernment to tell the difference between Your discipline and Your trials in my life. I love Your perfection. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
