" . . . the king [of Israel] said, 'Surely this calamity is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?' "
The king of Israel's response here (above) is entirely too typical of sin-
ners. Trouble comes. Instead of blaming self and sin--God is blamed for it. Then, when relief does not show up right away, any hope in God is abandoned, and sinful and idolatrous alternate courses are pur-
sued.
How true is this also with many professing Christians? They are willing to put up with God, so long as their bellies are full, and their bank ac-
counts are strong. But once a little difficulty comes along--they throw off all of their false "God-talk," and show themselves to be what they are: unregenerate unbelieving idolators. May this never be said of any of us.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Oh, do not let the devil be your master, nor the world your god. Do not let sin cheat and impose upon you with its false and counterfeit delights." --Timothy Rogers, in, "Trouble of Mind and the Disease of Melancholy"]